NEW STREAMING: Music biopics of two film legends

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Focus on the romantic and professional lives of famous country singer couple Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Considered the “First Lady of Country Music,” Tammy Wynette addressed specific topics such as loneliness, divorce, and romantic disappointment in her lyrics.

Wynette’s best-known song, “Stand by Your Man,” is one of the best-selling country singles by a female artist. Her tumultuous marriage to country superstar George Jones in 1969 spawned such iconic duets as “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “Golden Ring” and “Near You.”

who is he with

This delve into the world of country music brings together two major film talents who have already shared a poster for Take Shelter. Singer Tammy Wynette (real name Virginia Pugh) is played by Jessica Chastain, and her husband George Jones (nicknamed No Show Jones, due to his many absences on stage) is played by Michael Shannon.

The cast of the show also includes some famous faces from the small screen. This is especially true of Steve Zahn (White Lotus) as composer George Ritchie, or the excellent Walton Goggins (The Shield) chosen to play musician Earl “Peanut” Montgomery.

The George & Tammy series is the brainchild of screenwriter Abe Sylvia, who is best known for working on the screenplay for the film In the Eyes of Tammy Faye, which won Jessica Chastain an Oscar for Best Actress in 2022.

Also note that the first episodes of the program are directed by John Hillcoat, who previously directed the actor in his film, Legal Men.

Is it worth checking out?

A Stetson on his head, cowboy boots on his toes, and a catchy Tennessee accent. Without a doubt, we’re deep in the heart of America, home of the George and Tammy series, which chronicles the history of two of country music’s greatest voices: George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

But this new Showtime production, broadcast in France via the Paramount+ platform, is not just a biographical series dedicated to two characters, as it also paints an implicit portrait of one of the most emblematic cities in the United States (Knoxville, Tennessee). From a bygone era that is considered a golden age country music.

George and Tammy’s love story is both an unstoppable passion that has inspired some of the most famous songs in their repertoire, and a cursed and toxic love story, driven straight to the wall by their tormented personalities and alcohol. The inclinations of George Jones.

The two main performers of the series are, unsurprisingly, perfect. It must be said that one, like the other, should not force his talent to portray these custom characters.

Alcohol, alcohol and rock and roll…

In this way, Jessica Chastain confirms her status as Meryl Streep’s successor, giving a performance close to metamorphosis, namely on a physical level, with a southern accent that perfectly portrays the knife, including during the musical scenes filmed without dubbing. .

Alongside her, Michael Shannon is used to playing tortured and brutal characters (in particular The Shape of Water and The Rebellious Wedding) and so we imagine he was the one and only actor the producer considered for the role. .

For much of the French public, with the obvious exception of country lovers, George and Tam’s story remains largely unknown. Hence the thrill of discovering two larger-than-life characters who greatly influenced American music in the 60s and 70s.

But this overarching, cursed love story also feels like déjà vu, and the lack of real stakes (apart from knowing how far they’ll go before they burn their wings) very quickly gives way to the feeling of watching the series just for the talent. about his interpreters and his musical performances than for the story itself.

The George & Tammy series is now available exclusively on Paramount+.

Discover the list of all series currently available on the platform!