The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a 2021 American biographical drama film directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay by Abe Sylvia, based on the 2000 documentary of the same name by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder.
Tammy Faye LaValley falls in love with Jim Bakker while studying at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The two marry despite disapproval from Tammy's mother Rachel, dropping out of college to preach and inspire Christian communities across the United States.
Their preaching gets the attention of Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, who hires them as hosts of children's show Jim and Tammy.
As the press becomes more skeptical and critical of the PTL network, Tammy develops an addiction to pills and becomes flirtatious with music producer Gary S. Paxton, whom Jim fires following the birth of their son Jay.
A textual epilogue reveals Falwell died in 2007, Jim returned to televangelism for a revived PTL after being released from prison, and Tammy continued to support LGBTQ+ communities until she died on July 20, 2007, at her home in Loch Lloyd, near Kansas City, Missouri, after an eleven-year bout with cancer at the age of 65.
It was announced in May 2019 that Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield were cast to star in the film, with Michael Showalter directing.
[6] In November 2019, Sam Jaeger, Vincent D'Onofrio, Gabriel Olds, Mark Wystrach, Chandler Head, Fredric Lehne and Jay Huguley joined the cast of the film.
Deadline Hollywood wrote that outside of Los Angeles, New York City, and Austin, Texas the grosses "weren't good", and an indication that "older arthouse crowds are [not] back" to theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The website's critics consensus reads: "The Eyes of Tammy Faye might have focused more sharply on its subject's story, but Jessica Chastain's starring performance makes it hard to look away.