The necessary biopic parts are all here. But George & Tammy is buoyed remarkably by its two terrific leads, with Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain embodying the best and worst about the country stars as both distinct individuals and two people in a loving but combative celebrity relationship.
The period details are gorgeous, gaudy, kitsch and vivid, but most of the screen time is used to linger on Chastain and Shannon’s faces in closeup. The show is more concerned with the intimate details of love and despair than the lure of the spotlight, and it is stronger for it.
Despite its occasional flaws, George & Tammy manages to reinvigorate a worn-out type of love story and the musical biopic. It’s a surprising and delightful feat in our current landfill of miniseries about real-life events, anchored by two electric performances.
Even if the broader outlines of its story are reminiscent of other music-focused films and shows, what makes this portrait so watchable is the shading brought to it by Chastain and Shannon. They show up in every episode with every color of paint on their palette, and display an effortless sense of control over every single stroke.
Mr. Shannon's starkly emotional performance and Ms. Chastain's generous one encourage us to root for them, which we do, even when we know where things are going.
Overall, George & Tammy is as evocative as it is entertaining. Chastain shows off her exceptional range as an actress, and she'll likely have a head start on next year's Emmy Awards by the end of the limited series' run — it'll be a shame if she and Shannon don't earn nominations, at the very least. ... The series is easily one of the best musical biopics released in recent memory.
The lively, and splendidly acted, George & Tammy limited series makes real the supposed clichés of alcoholism, addiction, heartache, and unquenchable love that fuel so much of the Nashville music scene. [5 - 18 Dec 2022, p.5]
The whole of it is enlivened by incredible work from Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon, who exchange show-stopping singing moments and come packaged with a strong sense of passion, along with a knowing, exciting taste for sincere kitsch.
Chastain projects fragility and toughness; Shannon can be equally terrifying and tender. It is very much their rodeo. ... Some themes of being taken advantage of are hammered home more than necessary, but the heart of the story is firmly in the palm of Chastain and Shannon’s hands. Whether showcasing the good or bad times, “George & Tammy” is a triumph.
It lingers on the way Tammy and George simply look each other, and Chastain and Shannon speak volumes through the way their eyes light up or darken or soften around one another. That both turn in exceptional performances should come as little surprise (even if their impressive singing voices do). But in scenes together, the intensity of their chemistry seems to show each of them in a whole new light.
Easily one of the best shows on Showtime with superb acting, great performances and a fascinating true life story which I knew nothing about. I'm not a country music fan and you don't have to be to enjoy this well made show. Highly recommended - 10 stars
I'm not a country music fan, but am familiar with some of the hits from Tammy Wynette (Jessica Chastain) and George Jones (Michael Shannon). This biopic follows the usual trajectory: Career excitement and sexual attraction followed by substance and emotional abuse. What makes this series stand out are the incredible creations from Shannon and Chastain. They not only effectively capture the immense chemistry between the duo and their conflicted connection, but their singing is equally full of emotion. Speaking of, several of their hits are performed almost full length, so you can expect plenty of twang. The couple's relationship alternates between dramatic and disastrous and these performances rewardingly capture their magnetism and their heartbreaking relationship.
Jessica Chastain has now played two Tammys in her career and she has played them both with brilliance and this time she is reunited with her Take Shelter co-star, Michael Shannon, who like her as always proves himself to be an excellent actor. Their chemistry and dynamic are incredible. The one thing I couldn't understand is why the production opted to have both actors sing the songs with their own voices, and not because either of them were bad singers, because they weren't, even the soundtrack that was released from this miniseries is with their voices, but their voices, especially Chastain's, don't have the same tone as the originals. This doesn't take anything away from their acting, but it becomes a key aspect of their performances, which despite being more spontaneous, still lack the power of a real singer. Nevertheless, go and see it.
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