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"The Eyes of Tammy Faye" tells the story of
Messner and her former husband Jim Bakker, who lead a television
ministry in the 1970s and 1980s before their vast empire
crumbled in a sex and financial scandal.
Known for her heavy make up, which ran down her teary face as
she called on viewers to turn to Jesus and donate to the Bakkers’
causes, Messner rebuilt her reputation through a documentary and
reality show before her death in 2007.
"It was really fun actually, that's the thing about Tammy, the
more I learned about her the more I was like 'I wish we were
friends. I wish I knew her before she passed away'," Chastain
said at the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film
Festival on Sunday night.
"She was just kind of like a kick in the pants. She was so funny
and so loving and so child-like. It was beautiful to be
surrounded in that kind of research."
"Spiderman" actor Andrew Garfield portrays Jim Bakker, who,
following the scandal, spent five years in prison. Tammy Faye
divorced him and remarried.
The movie is based on the 2000 documentary "The Eyes of Tammy
Faye", which helped Tammy Faye rebuild her image.
"I'm really hoping when the audience is present watching the
film, they'll be introduced to a side of Tammy that they never
really understood and actually wasn't allowed to be told years
ago," Chastain said.
(Editing by William Maclean)
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