The Eyes of Tammy Faye 2000

Biography

Documentary

Box Office

$1M

Runtime

79 min

Language

English

Directed by

Fenton Bailey

Made by

Lions Gate Films

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Tammy Faye LaValley falls head over heels for Jim Bakker while attending North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Despite her mother Rachel’s disapproval, they tie the knot and leave college behind to spread their message and inspire Christian communities across the nation. The couple’s passionate preaching captures the attention of Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), leading them to host the beloved children’s show Jim and Tammy. Jim eventually becomes the first host of CBN’s The 700 Club, welcoming their daughter, Tammy Sue.

At a party, Tammy and Jim encounter the conservative pastor Jerry Falwell, who shows interest in collaborating with CBN. However, after a heated disagreement where Tammy criticizes the intertwining of faith and politics, she encourages Jim to set up their own television network to maintain control over their programming. Consequently, they leave CBN and establish the PTL Satellite Network, with their flagship program, The PTL Club, gaining popularity over time. In an effort to support their family, Tammy invites her mother Rachel and stepfather Fred to stay with them at their Tega Cay, South Carolina estate, where Rachel’s suspicions about PTL’s financial practices begin to intensify.

As public scrutiny increases regarding PTL’s finances, Tammy’s relationship with music producer Gary S. Paxton becomes flirtatious, prompting Jim to dismiss him after the birth of their son, Jay. Throughout the 1980s, Jim devotes himself to developing a Christian theme park, while Tammy struggles with addiction to pills and becomes disillusioned with Falwell’s political influence. Her advocacy takes a bold turn when she invites AIDS patient and Christian pastor Steve Pieters for an interview, promoting support for the LGBTQ+ community, which starkly contrasts with Falwell’s condemning remarks.

Amid tensions, Tammy collapses during a broadcast, igniting a fierce argument with Jim over their crumbling relationship. As scandals surrounding PTL’s financial mismanagement and Jim’s alleged affairs come to light, Falwell seizes control of PTL. Ultimately, Jim is imprisoned for fraud.

By 1994, amidst the fallout, Tammy and Jim have officially divorced. With Rachel gone, Tammy grapples with reviving her career and finds herself hesitant to accept an invitation to be the special guest at a Christian concert at Oral Roberts University. With trepidation, she performs a heartfelt rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic, envisioning a powerful gospel choir accompanying her.

An epilogue reveals that Falwell passed away in 2007, Jim returned to televangelism with a revived PTL after his release from prison, while Tammy passionately supported LGBTQ+ communities until her death on July 20, 2007, at her home in Loch Lloyd, near Kansas City, Missouri, after an eleven-year battle with cancer, at the age of 65.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Tammy Meets Jim

Tammy Faye LaValley first encounters Jim Bakker while attending North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their instant connection leads to deep romance despite Tammy's mother's disapproval, setting the stage for their future together.

North Central Bible College, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Marriage and Mission

In defiance of her mother, Tammy and Jim marry and leave college behind. They embark on a mission to spread their message and inspire Christian communities throughout the United States.

Rise to Fame

The couple's passionate preaching catches the attention of Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). They begin hosting the children's program *Jim and Tammy*, gaining popularity and visibility in the Christian community.

Christian Broadcasting Network

The 700 Club

Jim becomes the first host of CBN's *The 700 Club*, dedicating time to prayer and religious discussions. Their daughter, Tammy Sue, is welcomed into the world, enriching their family life and furthering their public persona.

Conflict with Jerry Falwell

During a party encounter, the couple meets conservative pastor Jerry Falwell, who proposes a collaboration. An argument erupts when Tammy criticizes the merger of faith and politics, prompting them to consider independence.

Establishment of PTL Network

After their fallout with CBN, Tammy and Jim launch the PTL Satellite Network. They create the flagship program, *The PTL Club*, which quickly gains a following, showcasing their vision and unique style.

Family Living

To help support their growing family, Tammy invites her mother Rachel and stepfather Fred to live with them at their estate in Tega Cay, South Carolina. Rachel begins to grow suspicious of the financial practices of the PTL Network.

Tega Cay, South Carolina

Flirtation and Dismissal

While PTL faces increasing scrutiny, Tammy develops a flirtatious relationship with music producer Gary S. Paxton. This relationship leads Jim to dismiss Paxton after the birth of their son, Jay, amidst growing tensions.

Struggles with Addiction

Throughout the 1980s, Tammy battles her addiction to pills as she becomes disillusioned with Jerry Falwell's rising influence in politics. This struggle adds strain to her marriage and public image.

Support for LGBTQ+ Community

Tammy invites AIDS patient and pastor Steve Pieters for a televised interview, challenging societal norms and showcasing her support for the LGBTQ+ community. This move starkly contrasts with Falwell's conservative views.

Broadcast Collapse

During a live broadcast, Tammy collapses, which triggers a heated argument with Jim over their deteriorating relationship. This event marks a significant turning point in their personal and professional lives.

Falwell Takes Control

As scandals emerge regarding financial mismanagement and Jim's alleged affairs, Jerry Falwell seizes control of PTL. Jim Bakker is subsequently imprisoned for fraud, leading to the disintegration of their empire.

Divorce and New Challenges

In 1994, following the fallout from the scandals, Tammy and Jim officially divorce. Struggling with her career, Tammy faces hesitation when invited to perform at a Christian concert, reflecting on her past.

1994

Heartfelt Performance

Despite her fears, Tammy delivers a moving rendition of *Battle Hymn of the Republic* at a concert at Oral Roberts University. She envisions a gospel choir accompanying her, signaling a potential revival of her career.

Oral Roberts University

Legacy and Death

Tammy Faye passes away on July 20, 2007, after an eleven-year battle with cancer, at her home in Loch Lloyd, near Kansas City, Missouri. Her advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities and her impact on televangelism leave a lasting legacy.

July 20, 2007 Loch Lloyd, near Kansas City, Missouri

Characters

Explore all characters from The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Tammy Faye LaValley

Tammy Faye LaValley is a passionate and complex character, known for her strong conviction and charismatic persona. Despite her struggles with addiction and the tumultuous relationship with her husband, she remains a figure of advocacy and empathy, particularly towards marginalized communities, demonstrating resilience in her later years.

🎤 Singer ❤️ Advocate 😢 Resilience

Jim Bakker

Jim Bakker is a charismatic yet flawed televangelist whose ambition ultimately leads to his downfall. Despite his initial success in the media, his choices betray the trust of his followers and contribute to the dissolution of his marriage, presenting a multifaceted view of leadership and personal failure.

📺 Televangelist 💼 Ambitious ⚖️ Controversial

Rachel

Rachel is Tammy's mother who embodies traditional values and skepticism towards her daughter's choices. Her disapproval and growing concerns about the financial practices of PTL add tension to the family dynamics, grounding Tammy's journey in familial relationships.

👩‍👧 Mother 🧐 Skeptic ❓ Concerned

Tammy Sue

Tammy Sue, the daughter of Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, represents the generational impact of her parents' decisions. While she is often caught in the turmoil of their public lives, she seeks to define her own identity amidst the legacy of fame and scandal.

👧 Daughter 🌱 Growth 📉 Legacy

Jerry Falwell

Jerry Falwell is a prominent conservative pastor whose views often clash with Tammy's progressive ideals. His influence in the evangelical community and his role in the rising tensions surrounding the PTL network reflect the intersection of faith and politics during a turbulent era.

⚖️ Conservative 🎓 Pastor 🔥 Controversial

Setting

Learn where and when The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1980s - 1994

The movie encapsulates the dramatic rise and fall of Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker during the 1980s, a period marked by religious fervor and the intertwining of faith with politics in America. Their journey includes television success, personal struggles, public scrutiny, and the eventual unraveling of their relationship and empire, culminating in their divorce in 1994.

Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tega Cay, South Carolina, Loch Lloyd, Kansas City, Missouri

Minneapolis, Minnesota, is where Tammy Faye LaValley first meets Jim Bakker and begins her journey into the world of televangelism. Tega Cay, South Carolina, is the couple's estate, serving as a backdrop for both their personal and financial struggles. Lastly, Loch Lloyd, near Kansas City, Missouri, is where Tammy spent her final days, fighting a battle with cancer.

🏙️ City 🏡 Estate 🌄 Location

Themes

Discover the main themes in The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Love & Betrayal

The film explores the complexities of love in the face of betrayal, particularly as Tammy grapples with Jim's infidelities and the strain of their crumbling marriage. Despite her deep affection for him, Tammy's journey reveals the painful repercussions of deception and moral conflicts within their relationship.

📺

Media & Influence

Media plays a central role in shaping the lives of Tammy and Jim, demonstrating how television can be a powerful tool for spreading messages but also a source of vulnerability. Their rise to fame through broadcasting juxtaposes the personal and public personas they project, complicating their legacy.

🏳️‍🌈

Advocacy & Acceptance

Tammy Faye becomes a notable advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in contrast to the conservative views of her contemporaries. Her willingness to speak out for marginalized groups highlights themes of acceptance and compassion, underscoring the importance of kindness within the faith community.

💸

Scandal & Consequence

The financial scandals that envelop PTL reflect broader themes of greed and accountability within religious institutions. The fallout from these actions leads to personal and professional ruin for Tammy and Jim, illustrating how unchecked ambition can lead to significant consequences.

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