The Make-Up Counter at Costco

 

The title of today's movie review is really the only place the producers of "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" could find enough make-up to accurately display the lead character.   Indeed, there are moments in this film where Tammy Faye, as played by Jessica Chastain, looks actually clown-like.   Or a Marc Chagall painting.   Or an explosion at Earl Scheib's.

As a matter of fact, after I streamed this new release, I went to YouTube and pulled down some video of the real Tammy Faye.   She wasn't made up half as much as the movie version was.  I wonder about the choices the director Michael Showalter made in this regard.  Was he trying to make her even more ghoulish?  Was he trying to make her comedic?   Who knows?

That said, this film is predictable and interesting all at the same time.   You get what you expect.  Or remember from those days in the 70s and 80s when evangelists Jim Bakker and his wife ruled the TV airwaves.  In a linear fashion, this movie takes you from their first meeting to their stardom to their inevitable breakup when he starts fooling around with both women and men.   And, oh yeah, these two embezzled a whole bunch of money in the name of God.

Chastain has an interesting approach to her portrayal as she works overtime to make Tammy Faye likeable.  As a result, Andrew Garfield as the hubby becomes more of a villain in the eyes of the audience.  Truth be told, they were both pretty damn screwed up.  Again, there are no real surprises here, but it's kind of an eerie fun watching these two crooks implode on a big screen.

I am curious to see how the Academy will view the heavy-handed make-up in this movie.   Is it Oscar worthy or not?   Or is it excessive?  Regardless, Bozo the Clown probably saw this film in shades of envy.  Certainly, this is not a movie that would have worked in black and white.

LEN'S RATING:  Three stars.

Dinner last night:  Leftover pork tenderloin.