I'll start with the obvious: Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain absolutely disappear in this film (especially Chastain). This is due to their amazing performances as well as the amazing costume, makeup and hairstyling teams. They both deserve to be nominated as do the cosmetic team.
And what about the film itself? I'm usually not a huge fan of biopics, but this is a damn good film. It didn't villainize the Bakkers. Instead, it shows how they began with honest and innocent intentions of spreading love and joy but got caught up in the greedy world that is televangelism. It never condemns or disparages Christianity. Rather, it simply raises questions and issues that can arise when religion and society are forced to coexist and what that looks like for the people involved.
It raises so many interesting narratives and thought-provoking questions (sometimes to its detriment): When does a church cease to become a church and, instead, become a business? Can preachers have nice cars? Can they even sin? Is it vain for a woman preacher to wear a ton of makeup and want to be the center of attention? The dilemma of homosexuality and Christianity.. Those are just a few of the many issues I found tossed around.
And that's what I love about films like this: they ask questions, not answer them. They don't try to force a dogma or agenda down your throat. They simple pose a question and let the audience debate among themselves.
Of course, it is a biopic, so you also feel an intense amount of empathy and care for Tammy Faye's character. I teared up multiple times in this film watching her deal with all her internal struggles while simultaneously having to put on this holy facade for millions around the globe everyday.
I have a couple of minor nitpicks. It would have been best to leave out one or two subplots for the sake of narrative cohesion and tightness. I also would have liked to see how they reacted to their exponential climb toward wealth and fame in the early stages. They kind of brush over it quickly for the sake of time (understandably so), but you never get to see them grapple with this sudden stream of luxury and celebrity.
This is a really important and intimate while also very entertaining movie, and I really hope that it and the crew behind get some recognition at the Oscars.
And what about the film itself? I'm usually not a huge fan of biopics, but this is a damn good film. It didn't villainize the Bakkers. Instead, it shows how they began with honest and innocent intentions of spreading love and joy but got caught up in the greedy world that is televangelism. It never condemns or disparages Christianity. Rather, it simply raises questions and issues that can arise when religion and society are forced to coexist and what that looks like for the people involved.
It raises so many interesting narratives and thought-provoking questions (sometimes to its detriment): When does a church cease to become a church and, instead, become a business? Can preachers have nice cars? Can they even sin? Is it vain for a woman preacher to wear a ton of makeup and want to be the center of attention? The dilemma of homosexuality and Christianity.. Those are just a few of the many issues I found tossed around.
And that's what I love about films like this: they ask questions, not answer them. They don't try to force a dogma or agenda down your throat. They simple pose a question and let the audience debate among themselves.
Of course, it is a biopic, so you also feel an intense amount of empathy and care for Tammy Faye's character. I teared up multiple times in this film watching her deal with all her internal struggles while simultaneously having to put on this holy facade for millions around the globe everyday.
I have a couple of minor nitpicks. It would have been best to leave out one or two subplots for the sake of narrative cohesion and tightness. I also would have liked to see how they reacted to their exponential climb toward wealth and fame in the early stages. They kind of brush over it quickly for the sake of time (understandably so), but you never get to see them grapple with this sudden stream of luxury and celebrity.
This is a really important and intimate while also very entertaining movie, and I really hope that it and the crew behind get some recognition at the Oscars.
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