The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000)

Tammy Faye Bakker, she of the layers of makeup that made her face into a living Halloween mask, will forever remain a camp icon of '80s culture for many of us. Directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato aren't above needling Bakker for her more excessive accouterments, but The Eyes of Tammy Faye is ultimately a loving, sympathetic portrait of "the first lady of televangelism." The film charts her life from traveling evangelist to the mother of three religious cable networks, and her fall from grace when husband Jim Bakker was forced out of the PTL (Praise the Lord) ministry after a scandalous affair. Always entertaining (sock puppets introduce each section) and at times surprising (did you know that Jim and Tammy were the first television ministers to reach out to the gay community and people with AIDS?), it rarely strays from Tammy Faye's version of events. Jerry Falwell becomes the story's sole scapegoat, but even the film's best arguments don't quite make Jim Bakker an innocent victim. But then it's not his film, it's Tammy Faye's, and Bailey and Barbato seem to have fallen in love with their charismatic subject. If nothing else, they reveal the woman behind the cultural joke and celebrate a spiritual survival story. RuPaul Charles narrates, and clips from the 1990 TV movie Fall from Grace feature a young Kevin Spacey as the adulterous preacher. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

"Eye" Opening Documentary

Like many other reviews I had a new appreciation of Tammy Faye(and even of Jim) after watching this. And a renewed revulsion for the likes of Jerry Falwell. Yukk! She a spirit and liveliness that most of us can only hope for. Great movie and great lady!!! April 8, 2008

Very good

Excellent tape showing Tammy's life. She was a marvelous person and did her best to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this. September 16, 2007

Gracious

Growing up, Tammy Faye Bakker was the tacky televangelist that wore too much makeup. That was all I knew about her. When she appeared on the "Surreal Life", she charmed me with her sincerity and graciousness, and it made me curious enough to watch this film.

I found Tammy Faye Bakker to be a fascinating character. Full of contradictions, like all interesting people are, she seems to radiate an innocent, maternal charisma and down-to-earth charm, which contrasts wildly with her gaudy image and history of opulent living. She's a natural performer who seems completely comfortable in front of the camera; however her greatest talent seems to be her ability to reach out and touch the people around her. Her life is certainly fascinating and full of extremes: fortune, fame, addiction, betrayal, and all the stuff that entertainment legends are made of.

To some, it might seem strange that a documentary about Tammy Faye, a devout Christian and televangelist, would be narrated by the world's most famous drag queen. But as the film progresses, you realize that it actually makes perfect sense, because Tammy Faye IS a drag queen: Larger-than-life, over-the-top, magnificent, melodramatic, gaudy, and ultimately triumphant.
August 16, 2007

I couldn't watch this.

I never knew who Tammy Faye was until 1987 and I was hoping for a good documentary about Tammy Faye but couldn't watch this because of the annoying, obsessive, angry, child-like temper tantrums directed at Christianity in this film along with Rupaul narrating in a raspy, annoying voice used in a way that takes too much of the focus away from Tammy Faye which this movie was about. No cool music accompanies this film.

Tammy Faye obviously was the first to say gays deserve respect and compassion but obviously after looking at these comments, it was not enough simply because she still clinged to her faith up to the end.

That's right she said it before any non-religious talk show host did.

Tammy was famous for her big make-up during the mega glam days of the 1980s where most women in the media were made-up a lot and obviously she impressed enough people resulting in a lot of cross-dressers worshipping her.

Something about Tammy made it clear she was a cool, compassionate woman who was mistreated by the media like no other woman has been. She was a lot more interesting to hear from than the same old media people and if you want to call someone a cartoon charater, look at oprah and her gurl 'friend' gale king.

Sad that Tammy died and never got a chance to do more in the media or recording industry. Pretty scary that so many people went on a shark frenzy when this woman suffered a fall. Tammy had compassion but her haters didn't. Vh1 would have made a better documentary about Tammy Faye than what is put forth here.


July 22, 2007

Surprisingly appealing documentary - highly recommended!!

A striking and informative movie about Tammy Faye Bakker, Christian broadcasting, power and scandal. You'll learn some fascinating things about Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, not to mention many others who got their start due to Tammy and Jim's TV talents. But the true star here is Tammy Faye. You'll end up reconsidering what you thought you knew about her, and you'll end up liking her. Take the time to enjoy this little gem. You won't be disappointed. July 6, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...