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Director: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Release Date: 2000
Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content)
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I rented this movie thinking it was a joke. That notion, along with every other misconception I had about Tammy Faye, was shattered in this all-too-real documentary.
In the past, when I would think of Tammy Faye, the first things that would come to my mind were makeup, Jim Baker scandal, and more makeup. Since I was only seven years old when all the drama with the Bakers happened, I didn't really know what was going on and was forced to rely on what I was told.
Unfortunately, public opinion was not positive, so I never got a balanced story.
That time is now over. In this documentary released in 2000, Tammy Faye gets very personal and very real about her life. I had plenty of misconceptions around the Jim Baker scandal, but there was plenty that Tammy Faye and Jim Baker accomplished, that I had no clue about as well.
Covering a life as complicated as Tammy Faye's is no easy task, but The Eyes of Tammy Faye attempts to cover everything including:
- Growing up.
- Meeting and marrying Jim Baker.
- Teaming with Jim Baker to start The 700 Club and later losing it to Pat Robertson.
- Teaming again with Jim Baker to start TBN and later losing it to Paul and Jan Crouch.
- Starting a Christian amusement park (second only to Disneyland at the time).
- Her brief addiction to prescription drugs and recovery.
- Tammy Faye and Jim launching a satellite to broadcast their all-Christian TV station.
- Jim Baker’s one-night stand with a Playboy model.
- How Jerry Falwell manipulated his way into control of the Bakers’ ministry and then public denounced the Bakers.
- Jim Baker’s trial and imprisonment.
- Tammy Faye and Jim Baker’s divorce.
- Tammy Faye’s remarriage.
The list goes on and I'm only including the highlights.
Many firsts
The Bakers were the starters of many firsts in the Christian world. They were the first Christian ministers to openly embrace people with AIDs in a time (the early 80's) when no one would embrace them. They were also the first to start a 'Christian' news show, launch a 'Christian' satellite, and start a 'Christian' theme park. Many of these televangelist tactics are made fun of today, but Jim and Tammy invented most of them.
Other than the details of past events in Tammy's life, not too many people know about her outlook on life. Most people recognize Tammy for her overwhelming makeup. Not only does she realize this, she embraces it cheerfully. Referring to all the makeup as her 'trademark', Tammy refuses to remove any of it.
Put all judgments aside
One person interviewed in the documentary about Tammy said it perfectly: "People judge her, because they don't know her." That was my problem. I judged her simply because I didn't know her. Not knowing her meant I didn't understand her.
This documentary has made me feel like I know her.
If you think you know Tammy Faye, you don't. See this documentary and hear her tell her own story before you believe everything the media has said. Hopefully, somewhere in the midst of everything will be the truth.
Related links:
Movie's official website
Tammy Faye's official website
See the movie on Amazon |
