Early in this film, Andrew Garfield’s Jim Bakker is at bible college, arguing in front of class regarding the meaning of various bible passages. Through the flirtatious glances cast between him and Jessica Chastain’s Tammy Faye seated in the audience, one of the worst concepts of modern day Christianity, prosperity gospel, is seemingly born. In her later life, Tammy Faye seemed to be a sweet, simple-minded, but relatively harmless, follower of Christ. Chastain’s portrayal maintains this, casting Tammy Faye as a naïve but loyal servant of the lord who couldn’t help but be caught up in the whirlwind of materialism and grifting, all in the glory of god. It’s only at moments when her beliefs and the life she lives is questioned that the mask that is literally tattooed on her face seems to crack. Similarly, Jim Bakker in current times comes across as nothing more than a narcissistic charlatan. Garfield’s slimy portrayal does him no favors. Together these two performances, along with support from the likes of Cherry Jones and Vincent D’Onofrio, elevates this film while laying out all the brash, misguided, brightly-colored glory of the Bakkers’ ministry and early televangelism at large.
Oscar Wins: Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling; Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role