There is only one reason to see this film — Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Baker. She lights up every screen moment she’s in.
The meandering film makes the mistake of telling their full life story. Although it’s a wild journey, a better film would have chosen a single point in time to focus on.
The film, directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) is seen through the eyes of Tammy Faye. We see the story of Jim (Andrew Garfield) and Tammy Faye Baker's rise from Bible College to leaders of PTL as well as their heavily publicized fall from Grace. While it is amazing and unbelievable that this happened in front of everyone else’s eyes, the long chronological journey threatens to make this film a TV movie.
The film borders on exploring some powerful thoughts about the delicate role of religion and the benefits of mass media, but it never really gets there.
But then there’s Jessica Chastain playing someone you can’t turn away from — a real-life caricature. And it’s totally worth seeing.
In a nutshell: You just can makeup this stuff up. An amazing story told just OK.
Award potential. Nominations for Best Actress only. It’s all Tammy Faye. The other characters never generate any interest, despite being mesmerizing characters themselves (Jerry Falwell, Jim Baker, Pat Robinson).
Where to watch: In theaters now.
The Ten Buck Review: Tammy Faye is a site to see. Worth ten bucks.
