A new poster forThe Eyes of Tammy Faye, featuringJessica Chastainin the title role, has been released. The period drama, directed byMichael Showalterand also starringAndrew Garfield, has also been confirmed as part of the official lineup for September’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Based on the 2000 documentary of the same name directed byFenton BaileyandRandy Barbato,The Eyes of Tammy Fayeis inspired by the lives of the famous televangelist couple Tammy Faye Bakker and Jim Bakker.A recently-released trailershowed just how unrecognizable Chastain and Garfieldlooked in the lead roles. The film will follow the Bakkers' rise and subsequent downfall as they established a formidable business empire that was marred by scandal and rivalry.
RELATED:‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ Trailer Transforms Jessica Chastain Into the Famous Televangelist
The Eyes of Tammy Fayemarks somewhat of a creative departure for Showalter, who has largely worked in the comedy genre. He last directedThe Lovebirds, starringKumail NanjianiandIssa Rae. The film continues Garfield’s streak of working in small-scale dramas after big-budget moviemaking — post-his stint as Spider-Man, the actor has worked with filmmakers such asRamin Bahrani,Martin Scorsese,Mel Gibson,David Robert Mitchell, and most recently,Gia Coppola. He will soon be seen in the starring role inLin-Manuel Miranda’s feature directorial debut,Tick, Tick… Boom!Regardless of how things may have ended for him in the superhero space, Garfield will reprise his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcomingSpider-Man: No Way Home,Collider reportedlast year.
For Chastain, this could be a legitimate shot at awards success for the first time since perhapsZero Dark ThirtyandA Most Violent Year. ToPeople, Chastain said that she was particularly interested in exploring the flak Tammy Faye received for the “mistakes of her husband," something that many women “have been the victim of.”
Cherry JonesandVincent D’Onofrioco-star, and the film will be released by Searchlight Pictures in theaters on September 17. Check out the new poster below:
Here’s the official plot synopsis for the film:
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is an intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. In the 1970s and 80s, Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim Bakker, rose from humble beginnings to create the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park, and were revered for their message of love, acceptance and prosperity. Tammy Faye was legendary for her indelible eyelashes, her idiosyncratic singing, and her eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, it wasn’t long before financial improprieties, scheming rivals, and scandal toppled their carefully constructed empire.
KEEP READING:‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’: Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield Are Unrecognizable in First Images
