Movie Review: The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Story: I Will Survive could have been the anthem for this loving tribute to Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. Directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato embrace Tammy's innocence and depict her story as basically the lamb who is led to the slaughter. The Bakker's story is told in short chapters introduced by hand puppets (a used concept, but it works wonderfully here). It is narrated by RuPaul (narration is forgiven in a documentary). I admit to being one of those people who laughed when the Bakker's fell from grace (remember Jessica Hahn)? Compared to Jerry Falwell (who is once again -- remember Larry Flynt? - depicted as a bully, a thug, a liar, and the devil incarnate) the Bakkers were as pure as the driven snow. The only possible crimes they could be accused of is extremely bad taste (which is not a felony, but, merely a misdemeanor), greed and some misappropriation of funds. Tammy at her peak embraced everyone who was seen as a Pariah to the Christian movement. Seeing it all twenty years later is quite revealing. It would seem that for their Christian Network time they were front-runners. This is a compelling piece of film making. It is funny, sad, scary (who are all these people)? other worldly and definitely something you should see. We are also treated to some terrific file footage such as: Jessica Hahn's Playboy video, a few clips from an NBC biopic starring Kevin Spacey as Jim Bakker, a young Pat Boone (supportive of Tammy), Oral Roberts and of course, a young Pat Robertson. Who could ask for anything more? (Especially during the Republican National Convention.)

Acting: No acting.....it is a documentary (although the sock puppets were good)

Pets: Two fluffy dogs and a fluffy cat.

Visual Art: Lots of wonderful Christian art....which apparently can be bought on the Internet.

Soundtrack: Very appropriate

Theater Audience: A few loyal fans of Tammy (including us).

Quirky Meter: 5

Tissue Usage: Welling eyes ( but Tammy cries enough for a complete audience).

Oscar Worthy: Why not?

Length: 79 minutes

LOBO HOWLS: 8