With few (if any) exceptions, we’re highly skeptical of the true motives of televangelists. We think most (if not all) of them are crooks. And the vast majority (if not every single one) pose a threat to LGBTQ+ people in some form or fashion.
But that’s a rant for another day.
Back in 2000, we met Tammy Faye Bakker when she was in town promoting The Eyes of Tammy Faye at the Angelika Film Center.
The documentary from Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (the team that would eventually bring us RuPaul’s Drag Race) was an incredible rags-to-riches-to-rags tale of one spectacularly televised fall from grace. It was filled with unexpected humor and queerness, plus we couldn’t help but somehow feel sorry for Tammy Faye despite the shady shenanigans in which she was involved.
When we posed for a photo with her after a Q&A, she exuded such warmth and compassion while genuinely appearing to love being surrounded by so many gay men. She looked us in the eye, gave us a warm embrace, and thanked us for coming to the movie. So we’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the often-tragic figure.
Today, Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield bring Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker to life in a scripted take on The Eyes of Tammy Faye, right back at the Angelika Film Center where our fascination began more than 20 years ago.
Grab your tickets now, then set aside an hour or so to exaggerate your eye makeup in honor of the dearly departed religious celebrity.
She’d be honored by the tribute.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Opens today
Angelika Film Center Dallas
5321 East Mockingbird Lane, Dallas
angelikafilmcenter.com/dallas
