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“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
With her performances here and in “The 355,” Jessica Chastain has an acting range unequaled in the movie industry. Find another actress who could have embraced this role, which included doing all her own singing.
Beginning with her religious upbringing as a child and then jumping to her marriage to Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield, more later), you watch Tammy Faye become a national TV celebrity. She and husband Jim start a dominant TV show that sadly exploited their viewers and raised enormous funds while preaching the glory of being wealthy. Millions were used for a theme park and to pay for their extravagant lifestyle.
While Tammy Faye fights drug addiction and eye makeup that Chastain replicates, she also was the first person on the national stage to embrace homosexuality and the scourge of AIDS. In the process, she alienated right-wing pundit Jerry Falwell. You’ll remember Vincent D’Onofrio as he recreates that heartless human being masquerading as a disciple of Jesus.
I remember this TV show from the 1980-90s. I hated it, and it was worth remembering the conviction and imprisonment of Jim Bakker for fraud. Quite frankly, you have to applaud Garfield’s role as this offensive conman, and he adds to his glowing reputation flowing from this year’s “Spider-Man” and “Tick, Tick … Boom!”
Before closing, let me also recognize the performance of Cherry Jones as Tammy’s mother. Her religious dedication allowed her to challenge her daughter as she drifted toward the dark side.
This was really a good movie that recreated a moment in history that left most of us shaking our heads in disgust. All the more reason to praise the performance of Chastain.
2022 Oscars picks
Once again, my friend Dr. Peterson, an accomplished dentist, joins me in making our predictions. I see nearly everything and he sees close to nothing, yet his blasted research usually beats me every year! Regardless, here we go again.
1. Best picture:
Me: “Coda”
Dr. P.: “The Power of the Dog”
As I have said before, “The Power of the Dog” is an awful film. The academy has already lost its integrity by nominating it in 12 categories. “Coda” is a dream picture, and here’s hoping.
2. Actor in a leading role:
Me and Dr. P.: Will Smith, “King Richard”
3. Actress in a leading role:
Me: Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
Dr. P.: Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos”
4. Actor in a supporting role:
Me: Troy Kotsur, “Coda”
Dr. P.: Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog”
5. Actress in a supporting role:
Me and Dr. P.: Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story”
Rita Moreno won an Oscar for this role in the original “West Side Story” (1961).
6. Animated feature film:
Me and Dr. P.: “Encanto”
7. Cinematography:
Me and Dr. P.: “Dune”
8. Directing:
Me: Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast”
Dr. P.: Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog”
9. Documentary feature:
Me and Dr. P.: “Flee”
“Attica” could win, but “Flee” received three nominations.
10. Film editing:
Me: “Don’t Look Up”
Dr. P.: “Dune”
11. Makeup and hairstyling:
Me: “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
Dr. P.: “Dune”
12. International feature film:
Me: “The Worst Person in the World”
Dr. P.: “Drive My Car”
13. Original score:
Me: “Encanto”
Dr. P.: “Dune”
14. Original song:
Me: “Dos Oruguitas,” “Encanto”
Dr. P.: “No Time to Die,” “No Time to Die.” I loved both the Bond song and Van Morrison’s “Down to Joy” from “Belfast.”
15. Sound:
Me and Dr. P.: “West Side Story”
16. Visual effects
Me: “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Dr. P.: “Dune”
How did “Spider-Man” get one nomination and “Power of the Dog” 12? Again, there is no justification.
17. Adapted screenplay:
Me: “Coda”
Dr. P.: “The Power of the Dog”
18. Original screenplay:
Me: “Belfast”
Dr. P.: “Licorice Pizza”
19. Production Design:
Me: “West Side Story”
Dr. P.: “Dune”
I didn’t see any of the films nominated in the following categories, so I relied on Dr. P.’s timely research.
20. Documentary short subject:
“The Queen of Basketball”
21. Animated Short Film:
“Robin Robin”
22. Live Action Short Film:
“The Long Goodbye”
So there you have it. The Oscar telecast had record low TV ratings last year, and I suspect this one will surpass it. The only thing I can say is that Dr. P.’s love of “Dune” surpassed my disgust for that boring “Dog” movie!•
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Robert Hammerle practices criminal law in Indianapolis. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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