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djradcliffe
Reviews
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000)
Tammy Faye's movie is Ok..
I went to this film essentially for a good laugh. I really didn't think that I would be moved in any sort of way by the trials and tribulations of Tammy Faye Bakker. But surprisingly enough, I did. Yes, this film is camp, but it's not what you would expect from a campy film. It's got depth and soul and in the end, you feel like standing up and rooting for Tammy Faye.
I admit it, when PTL was in it's heyday, I used to watch. I used to laugh at the outrageous ways Jim and Tammy were trying to make money and also at Tammy's corny songs, makeup and fake tears. When that whole PTL-Jessica Hahn scandal hit in the late '80s, I like probably most everyone felt that Jim and Tammy were the devil incarnates. But then, not so long after the PTL scandal we saw other supposed 'ministers of God' go down as well (i.e. Swaggart, Oral Roberts, etc.) Televangelism is one in the same it seems.
But there is more to Tammy Faye than just the glued-on eyebrows and tatooed mascara. The scenes where she talks about her makeup and what's what were needless in my opinion, but I was fascinated by the rest. Since the subject of the film was Tammy Faye, we get to hear her side of the story. It came as an interest to me that the very people she used to badmouth: Jerry Falwell, Jessica Hahn, etc., she is now writing them letters requesting interviews and saying how she has forgiven everyone from that "terrible time". I also found it amazing when Tammy goes back to Heritage USA and takes a look around. The place is rundown and closed and she expresses her outrage at how it has been treated. Even though Tammy never liked Heritage USA to begin with.
There are really two sides to Tammy Faye Bakker and the filmmakers did a good job projecting them. But I somehow doubt that this film will be remembered any more than any other thing that Tammy was ever involved with. I would only give it about 3 stars out of 4.
Victor/Victoria (1982)
Totally Hilarious Film
Victor/Victoria is one of my all-time favorite films. I just totally love the whole woman/man/woman storyline and the way that Blake Edwards chose to deal with the very hard subject matter of homosexuality, especially in the early 1930's was very well done and extremely humorous.
The acting is superb. Julie Andrews is a supreme actress and for once, Edwards doesn't waste his wife's talents as both a actress and a singer, as he has done in some of his other films. Robert Preston is the best thing about this film. His characterization of Toddy, the happy-go lucky gay guy was superb. He made Toddy a very real and human character by displaying both a touching and vulnerable side. He was nominated for an Oscar, too bad he didn't win because he definitely deserved it! James Garner and Lesley Ann Warren add a nice touch with their supporting roles of King Marchand and Norma, the Marilyn-Monroeish floozy girlfriend. The musical numbers are outstanding. Even if you don't like the rest of the film, you will love the music, guaranteed! Wonderful score by Henry Mancini & Leslie Bricusse.