Sad, gripping and inspiring

“My face is my trademark,” says Tammy Faye Bakker at a poignant moment in the remarkable biopic The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

This fine-looking young woman and her handsome husband, Jim, were two of the most recognisable, influential and powerful people in the United States in the 1970s – even gaining the ears of world leaders.

But don't be fooled by the glitz and razzmatazz: this is a story about how the mighty fall, how corruption takes its hold and ruins people – and the lessons we can all learn from such a diabolical situation.

When Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye (brilliantly played by Jessica Chastain) met at the North Central Bible College in Minneapolis in 1960, there is little doubt both were motivated to spread the word of God for good, sound reasons.

TAMMY FAYE AND JIM: the couple started off on the right path, but then took several wrong turns.

Both sincerely believed their Maker had big plans for them. After their marriage, a year later, this photogenic and charismatic Christian couple began to pursue those dreams.

Jim, faithfully played by Andrew Garfield (main picture), and his wife set up a travelling ministry and quickly became popular with Church congregations. After a meeting with Pat Robertson, a televangelist, they were to find a platform for their message (which involved powerful preaching, melodious singing, and the use of props, such as puppets), and quickly become household names in the US bible belt.

The Bakkers went on to launch their own TV station, build homes for the poor and open a Christian theme park. Theirs was a story of rags to riches – all in a good cause. Or so it seemed.

TURNING POINT: a meeting with the televangelist, Pat Robertson, was a game-changer.

Alas, there was a serpent in the garden, and when temptation reared its ugly head, Jim and Tammy Faye succumbed. Both had affairs, Jim began cheating on his tax, and he would eventually be revealed to be gay. Meanwhile, Tammy Faye’s insistence that the Church should embrace the LGBTQ community didn’t go down well with conservative evangelicals.

The ride had to end, and it did – spectacularly: their reputations were ruined, their marriage ended in divorce, and Jim would spend eight years in prison for his financial misdemeanours.

Michael Showalter's film tells that remarkable and tragic story very well. 

DAZZLING PERFORMANCE: Jessica Chastain delivers a faithful portrayal of Tammy.

Garfield and Chastain give remarkable performances and The Eyes of Tammy Faye holds the viewer's attention for more than two hours. Throughout, it appeals to our emotions and tells a compelling story.

I am sure this film, which can be viewed at cinemas throughout the UK and on digital platforms like Amazon Prime, will gain a wide audience and be appreciated for the powerful story it tells and the high calibre acting of its main characters. But I also hope those that watch it will ask questions about the motives of anyone asking for large amounts of cash to fund their Christian work.

Sorted film critic Andy Godfrey is a founder member of the Mark Kermode Appreciation Society.