Rating: 
Summary: Tammy Faye rocks and I wish could have liked this more
Review: I had been waiting to see this documentary on DVD for a very long time as Tammy Faye was such a cult and controversial figure in the 1980s, who has since then shown that behind all that caked on make-up there is a genuine person who walks the talk by embracing everyone, which is more than I can say for most of us, self included at times. Is she flawed? Heck yes. Was she guilty of illegal actions? Possibly, even if only by association. Is she vain? Absolutely. Is she over the top? Without a doubt; notwithstanding this documentary is less a fully researched character analysis, than cursory homage to a lady who obviously touched the hearts of the filmmakers and wound up falling under her hard to resist appeal.
Stumbling upon the public Tammy Faye is like trying to look away from an accident, and I don't mean this disrespectfully. It one of those scenarios in which you know that you should probably look away or move on, but you just can't take your eyes of her, whether she's playing with hand puppets on TV, sharing beauty tips, crying her eyes out through her allegedly water-proof mascara, or simply talking to the camera. If there was ever someone who want meant to be on TV, it is Tammy Faye and the documentary makes it clear that she is/was a natural and a hard-worker from the very beginning. We are shown a plethora of Tammy memorabilia and television footage that is at first a hoot to see, but starts to get repetitive, even if the documentary only last 78 minutes. There are many classic Tammy moments, best exemplified in a segment in which she is introducing her then PTL TV audience to male dysfunction paraphernalia.
In a nutshell "The Eyes Of Tammy Faye" is a loving look at a woman who does not look very smart in conventional terms, yet has had a life that would seem like fiction is it were not true. Although some critics wanted to see a more balanced view of Tammy Faye, I was not bothered by its obvious partisanship. What was missing was a structure and footage that would elevate this story to a more interesting level than a run of the mill E! star profile. Even the "Surreal Life" on the WB showed more about Tammy Faye than this documentary does. The attempts to address her past show little imagination and are quite shoddy. Any documentary about Tammy must show the air conditioned doggie houses as well as the interest and impact as reflected in an interview with Ted Coppell that was MAJOR water cooler material in its time.Tammy Faye is way more interesting than what this documentary shows and has an undeniable appeal that I can attest to as I had the good fortune to literally walk up to Tammy Faye and her second husband in the streets of New York City only minutes before this documentary had its NYC premiere. Believe it or not, Tammy Faye looked petite and pretty in an almost conventional fashion as she signed autographs for fans on old Tammy Faye LPs that they brought and smiled for the cameras. Every time one goes to New York City one winds up seeing someone in the media, but few have given me as much giddy joy as seeing this little lady doing her thing for the huge crowd of well wishers. I could have watched her for hours, yet this documentary somehow misses the mark as it does not quite get the essence of Tammy nor does it camp it up enough to be seen as satire. It earns 3 stars from me just because of the subject matter and old footage that is great (check out those 1980s duds, hairdos, and the truth behind those lashes) yet quite representative of a particular place and time. Someone PLEASE give this woman another chance to be herself on TV as she is a riot and although she would not let anyone know it, I get the feeling that she understands her appeal and is in on all the jokes.
Rating: 
Summary: Sensational Documentary and Well Worth the Watch!
Review: I have never been so impressed with a documentary film as I was with "The Eyes of Tammy Faye". I have shown this film to many individuals that thought there would be no interest in watching it and have walked away and purchased it. Impeccible job on the level of drama, emotion, and philisophical value. The message from the documentary is very personal and spiritual to me. If you don't think you would be interested, give it a listen because I think, as my friends have, you may walk away with a whole new view on the scope of Tammy Faye and the ideals of love she portrays. Firm faith usually comes from hard falls and Tammy Faye's recovery in this film was fabulous. Very worth while watching. I love this film and watch it over and over for message value. Let's forget about diversity and use this film for a lesson of real love.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkably entertaining documentary about tele-evagelism
Review: I just watched this film for the first time. I laughed; I cried. It became a part of me. I had always assumed the "facts" about the fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were true and simple. This film at least raises questions about the consistantly unchristian treatment of the Bakker's by their tele-evangelist cohorts. For me, any film that further demonstrates that Jerry Falwell will burn in hell is sufficently entertaining to justify the purchase, but this film has much more. Seeing inside Tammy Faye, one discovers that she is a good woman with a good heart, but little if any self esteem. She was way ahead of her time (ahead of where most of her former cohorts are now) on social issues. Her fragile self-esteem was trampled upon again and again. (The clip of Tammy Faye on the PTL Club television set stoned on Ativan and trying to wade in the water, which has been painted on canvas, is precious.) I ALMOST feel bad laughing at it all, but Tammy Faye has herself done what she suggests others do with the lemons dealt her in life: .. yeah, make lemonade.. The film's irony is poignant throughout... RuPaul, who wears less makeup than Tammy Faye, provides an even narration of the film. A look at the Bakker's son shows exactly what one would not expect. Jim Bakker's "victim's" comments about the depravation of her innocence are spliced together with tasteless, raunchy scenes from her Playboy video. Tammy Faye should be admired-- probably not for her fashion and makeup prowess-- but because, in spite of getting knocked down again and again and again, she always gets back up and remains true to herself. If you are not convinced to buy this film already, then do so for the answer to the question of the ages: What do roaches, Tammy Faye, and Cher have in common?
Rating:
Summary: Remarkably entertaining documentary about tele-evagelism
Review: I just watched this film for the first time. I laughed; I cried. It became a part of me. I had always assumed the "facts" about the fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were true and simple. This film at least raises questions about the consistantly unchristian treatment of the Bakker's by their tele-evangelist cohorts. For me, any film that further demonstrates that Jerry Falwell will burn in hell is sufficently entertaining to justify the purchase, but this film has much more. Seeing inside Tammy Faye, one discovers that she is a good woman with a good heart, but little if any self esteem. She was way ahead of her time (ahead of where most of her former cohorts are now) on social issues. Her fragile self-esteem was trampled upon again and again. (The clip of Tammy Faye on the PTL Club television set stoned on Ativan and trying to wade in the water, which has been painted on canvas, is precious.) I ALMOST feel bad laughing at it all, but Tammy Faye has herself done what she suggests others do with the lemons dealt her in life: .. yeah, make lemonade.. <eyes roll> The film's irony is poignant throughout... RuPaul, who wears less makeup than Tammy Faye, provides an even narration of the film. A look at the Bakker's son shows exactly what one would not expect. Jim Bakker's "victim's" comments about the depravation of her innocence are spliced together with tasteless, raunchy scenes from her Playboy video. Tammy Faye should be admired-- probably not for her fashion and makeup prowess-- but because, in spite of getting knocked down again and again and again, she always gets back up and remains true to herself. If you are not convinced to buy this film already, then do so for the answer to the question of the ages: What do roaches, Tammy Faye, and Cher have in common?
Rating:
Summary: Well done, yet overly "camp"
Review: I just watched this with my Grandmother who remembers the Tammy Faye from the 1960's on. She was angered at Tammy Faye's lack of repentence. I think Tammy Faye is a very smart woman who plays the "dingy, campy woman of faith" better then anyone. No matter what Tammy Faye did or did not do during the PTL days she was the first evangelist to embrace the gay community and HIV population with love. Since her "fall from Grace" the community has embraced her and she being savy has capitalized on their love. She is the first Christian drag queen and will be around for a long time, especially in the Castro district and West Hollywood. The best thing about this documentary is the way it shows the duplicity of Jerry Falwell, the most evil man in America. He stabs even his fellow evangelists in the back. Anything that gives testimony to the wicked, immoral nature of Jerry Falwell is worth watching.
Rating: 
Summary: i keep telling people to see this film
Review: I keep telling folks to watch this film. Their eyes roll. They get this, "Isn't he pitiful?" look on their faces. They try to humor me. Obviously I need help.
But, see, the thing is I never really liked Tammy Faye or Jimmie B or the whole Jesus as sales tool schlock-fest. I watched the film because I thought it would be a hoot. RuPaul narrates it, after all.
Imagine my surprise when I wound up with a new respect for Tammy Faye. She is a survivor, if nothing else. Sure she makes spaghetti sauce with ketchup. But she was one of the first, and certainly the most high profile, Christians to express concern for the victims of AIDS. I loved her dismantling of the rabid Jerry Falwell. And no matter what awful stuff happens to her and hers, she retains a life-force, a hope that is downright inspiring.
See this film.
Rating:
Summary: Tammy Faye is just as fascinating as her life!
Review: I knew nothing about Tammy Faye Bakker prior to seeing this film and I was surprised not only at how fascinating her life has been, but also just how fascinating she is period. The jovial tone of the documentary is really the key to the film for a couple of reasons. First, it allows us to have fun at Tammy Faye's expense (and besides her make-up, there is still much about her that is worth poking fun at -- the archival footage of the Bakkers hosting a show while Tammy Faye was hooked on prescription drugs is the film's highlight), and her participation in the fun makes it easier for the audience to laugh along. Secondly, to allow us to look back on her past hardships with so much humour, instead of bitterness, does give the impression that she is one hell of a survivor. My impression of Tammy Faye before seeing the documentary had been cemented by the mainstream media, which has made her out to be a rich, spoiled and corrupt witch. So you can imagine my shock as I realized that Tammy Faye had completely won me over by the end of the film. My immediate reaction to this was that I had been manipulated and I complained that the directors must have felt too much affection for Tammy Faye since the audience was never exposed to the evil side of her character. However, after considering the film a little more, I realized that Tammy Faye is likely to be too self-unaware and too much of an exhibitionist to actually hide the less pleasant aspects of her personality. This is what makes her the perfect documentary subject. Whether the camera is there or not, Tammy Faye's personality is as constant as her permanent eyelashes.
Rating:
Summary: Surpassingly delightful!
Review: I loved this documentary. I loved the way Tammy Faye exposed the duplicitous Jerry fawell- if only for this, you should watch this film. But there is so much more: how our culture loves watching people rise to the top, only to love even more when they crash and self-destroy. However, a more interesting premise is the idea that persecution of the Bakers may have been a great injustice? I found this film to be very delightful, such a reflection of the 80s. Watch it, you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Telling Tale of Human Nature in the Midst of God's Business
Review: I thought I knew all the facts. This was, after all, a tale about my branch of Christianity. Additionally, I had read Jim Bakker's book, "I Was Wrong," and Richard Dortch's, "Integrity." Yet, this film showed me, as never before, how people can cling so tenaciously to faith in the midst of adversity--and even in the midst of personal sin. It also showed that Tammy has lived up to the byline of their shows, "You can make it!" Another amazing aspect is that Jim Bakker participated in the production. My guess would have been that he would still be too hurt that his wife divorced him. Yet, he demonstrated true admiration for his former spouse--showing an ability to forgive even what is often treated as the unpardonable sin. The producers also dramatized the Falwell take over of PTL in a manner that was clear, objective, and yet rather humorous. I had never understood exactly how that all happened, even after reading Bakker and Dortch's separate accounts. My one complaint is that the puppets lent a flippant, almost sarcastic tone to a film, that, while light-hearted, also deals with serious issues of human nature and spirituality. They needed to be there, because puppets gave Jim and Tammy their start. However, their role might have been incorporated more delicately.
Rating:
Summary: The Devil Done Did It (or, Elevator Music for the Soul)
Review: Jerry Fallwell is the demon in this new testament of the religious right that, despite its pleasantries, is both more entertaining and more substantial than Tammy Faye Bakker's eyelashes. She comes off as a good egg and when we hear Fallwells unctuous appraisal ("Her elevator doesn't go to the top floor") after engineering the fall of PTL, one of the several Christian broadcasting networks that the admittedly over-the-top Tammy and her Jessica Hahn-tempted ex-husband started, we have to wonder what floor he's getting off at, considering that the down button was pressed and we seem to be hovering here in the basement already. The best line was from the co-host of Tammy's short-lived show with a gay man reflecting back on his relationship with her after his lover had died from AIDS: "She's a survivor. After the holocaust, there will be roaches, Tammy, and Cher."
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