Eyes of Tammy Faye, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: +1

In their heyday, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were esteemed representatives for many Evangelical Christians. Some ten years after the disastrous PTL scandal, they are divorced, remarried to different people, and struggling to get back on their feet again. And surprisingly, still involved in ministry. In this documentary, Tammy Faye Messner, still wearing her trademark mascara, recounts the story of her life - from humble beginnings in Minnesota to the rise of the PTL television ministry. And from the scandal that rocked the Evangelical community to her most recent days, working to re-enter the television world. After they started and were later pushed out of two prominent television ministries, Jim and Tammy settled into their own ministry, the PTL (Praise the Lord) network. But their great dreams for the ministry soon spiraled out of control, and instead of ministering to people, found themselves in the midst of a devastating scandal for their ministry and Christians everywhere. A heartfelt look at a woman often scorned these past ten years, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE reflects a surviving spirit. And while limited release will hinder audience draw, the film sheds some insight into the personality and character of the often teary-eyed Tammy Faye.

Several themes arise in the film, most prominent being Tammys sweet servants heart. She is presented as interested in ministering to all people, no matter what stigma surrounds them. In a TV clip from their early years, Tammy interviews a man with AIDS at a time when most in the Christian community were unresponsive to people with the disease. The film also presents an opportunity for Tammy to tell her side of the PTL scandal story. She portrays Jim as an honest man who never stole a dime, although he was convicted and spent several years in prison. And they both come across as more nave than criminally responsible. In telling the fairly one-sided story of their ministry, some prominent Christian leaders, most notably Jerry Falwell, look less than honorable. Tammy attributes her view, that the Christian community has been unkind to her and Jim, to the wrongs committed by these leaders. And, of course, Falwell and others declined being interviewed for differing views of the story. But the film is more about Tammy Faye surviving than the ins and outs of the PTL scandal. One scene dealing with the scandal does include a brief glimpse of female breast nudity through some sheer clothing. And a sensual, dimly lit scene of a woman in her undergarments is included. However, PREVIEW can recommend THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE for those mature persons interested in behind-the-scenes television evangelism and the PTL scandal.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Lions Gate Films, 5750 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 501, LA, CA 90036