The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)

O'Sullivan finds the biopic flawed but ultimately fabulously watchable. She singles out Jessica Chastain's compelling, wide-ranging performance as Tammy Faye for praise.

Rife finds the film overly sympathetic and dramatically thin, though its gaudy aesthetic makes it satisfying to look at. She praises Jessica Chastain’s heartfelt performance, especially in a knockout musical number.

Gleiberman calls the film a very good, engaging TV-movie, though its structure feels conventional and its final act could be better shaped. He praises Chastain’s layered portrayal of Tammy Faye and Garfield’s compelling take on Jim.

Lee finds the biopic formulaic and insufficiently probing, but compelling overall because Jessica Chastain’s performance rises above its limitations. He especially praises her ability to balance Tammy Faye’s flamboyant manner with her earnestness and vulnerability.

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Erbland finds the biopic uneven and tonally muddled, though Jessica Chastain’s performance shines. She praises Chastain for conveying Tammy Faye’s humanity beneath the transformative makeup.

Chang finds the biopic patchy and pedestrian, though Jessica Chastain’s committed performance gives it emotional force. He especially praises how Chastain uses Tammy Faye’s makeup and theatrical mannerisms to create intimacy with the character.

Simmonds describes the film as a colourful, broad and borderline cartoony take on Tammy Faye Bakker’s life. She singles out Andrew Garfield’s enjoyably slippery performance as Jim Bakker.

The review finds the film gripping but uneven, ultimately keeping viewers at a distance from its subject. It praises Jessica Chastain’s anchoring performance and the vivid recreation of the Bakkers’ extravagant world.

O’Hara finds the film fascinating and handsomely made, but says it never delves deeply enough into Tammy Faye’s inner life. She praises Jessica Chastain’s performance while faulting the film for not confronting Tammy’s guilt or explaining her optimism.

Brody finds the film intermittently compelling but ultimately constrained by conventional biopic storytelling. He praises its vivid performances and Tammy Faye’s advocacy for gay Christians, while criticizing its failure to explore her inner life and contradictions.

The critic finds the biopic shallow and reductive, more invested in performance than understanding Tammy Faye. They fault its failure to explore her motivations or the scandals surrounding the Bakkers.

Bramesco finds the biopic superficial and too forgiving of Tammy Faye, though Chastain’s performance is compellingly larger-than-life. He especially praises the campy musical sequence, while faulting the film’s conventional biographical approach.

Newland finds the film painfully by-the-numbers, with restrained direction and little deep character insight. She singles out Chastain’s committed, layered performance and the film’s sympathetic portrayal of Tammy Faye’s support for LGBTQ+ acceptance.

Willmore finds the film unable to decide whether to understand Tammy Faye or mock her, leaving its portrait unsatisfying. She praises Chastain’s outsized performance but says it relies on surface details rather than a coherent character.

Rooney finds the film a shallow, tonally uncertain account that squanders its subject’s political and ethical complexity. He singles out the leads’ cartoonish performances and the screenplay’s lack of nuance as major failings.

Goldberg finds the film rewarding but too narrowly focused on Tammy Faye, leaving supporting figures and broader issues underdeveloped. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s performance for bringing emotional depth and complexity to the character.

The critic finds the film heartfelt and compassionate, though its tonal blend is not always smooth. They especially praise Jessica Chastain’s soulful, nuanced performance beneath Tammy Faye’s flamboyant appearance.

Wilkinson finds the film fascinating despite its biopic structure limiting the stories it can explore. She praises Jessica Chastain’s big but nuanced performance and the sympathy it brings to Tammy Faye.

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The critic finds the film muddled and hollow, despite its sympathy for Tammy Faye. Jessica Chastain’s committed performance is singled out as the film’s saving grace.

Oller finds the biopic dull and tonally confused, arguing it undercuts its attempt to rehabilitate Tammy Faye. He praises Jessica Chastain’s performance for bringing complexity and pathos to the role.

Crow finds the film glossy and shallow, despite its empathy for Tammy Faye. He praises Jessica Chastain’s richly textured, dazzling performance but criticizes the film for avoiding deeper engagement with its world.

The critic finds the biopic cautious but not dull, with its central figure’s story left insufficiently explored. Jessica Chastain’s sympathetic, highly skilled performance is the film’s standout strength.

Worthington finds the film thin and overlong despite its sharp, occasionally funny critique of excess. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s transformative performance, which he says is left carrying too much of the film.