The Eyes of Tammy Faye [2021] – Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield

The Eyes of Tammy Faye actively tries not to take sides, but it passively does. An impressive performance by Chastain and Garfield that doesn’t do much.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye does not break new ground for biopics. In fact, the whole movie seemed engineered to get Jessica Chastain that little gold man (an Oscar), and her performance was often most noteworthy for the sheer level of transformation involved.

There’s no doubt that this is a movie that rests heavily on a remarkable central performance, and a documentary, but it’s certainly colorful enough for one character and actor: Faye and Chastain.

Honestly, it was said to see Andrew Garfield playing a secondary role in the movie when his character was blamed for everything. Just check Jim Bakker’s Wikipedia. I have no idea why his character was pushed to the side.

At the end, it’s obvious that the movie lacks the ability to cast a more critical eye on its subject. However, this is hardly the first biopic to play fast and loose with reality. Taken on its own merits, it is a fascinating rise and fall story with two magnetic leads. A bewildering mixed bag.

Should you watch it?

The movie makes a surprisingly compelling case for Tammy Faye, while going too easy on her. There’s not a lot of meat on it, but Chastain’s performance makes up for it, and more.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream The Eyes of Tammy Faye on Disney+ everywhere.