Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain shine in Showtime’s drama about legendary country music stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette, who couldn’t live with or without each other as they veered toward a collision course fueled by alcoholism, opioid addiction, and emotional turmoil — none of which dampened their love.
“George & Tammy,” which premieres on December 4, chronicles the couple’s relationship from their initial encounter through their marriage and divorce to Wynette’s untimely death in 1998 at the age of 55, and everything in between. Abe Sylvia, who penned the screenplay for Chastain’s Oscar-winning performance as Tammy Faye Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” conceived the series. Chastain and Shannon sing all of the couple’s solos and duets, lending a sense of sincerity and, at times, anguish to his rendition of the Jones/Wynette narrative.
(“The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George” is derived from their daughter Georgette Jones’ book”)
Not only do we see both sides of the Jones/Wynette relationship, but their story is given added depth by those who witnessed it firsthand: guitarist Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery (Walton Goggins); Wynette’s confidante/hairdresser Jan Smith (Katy Mixon); Billy Sherrill (David Wilson Barnes), who co-wrote “Stand By Your Man” with Wynette; and songwriter George Richey (Steve Zahn), who
In “George & Tammy,” Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain portray George Jones and Tammy Wynette, respectively.
Dana Hawley/Courtesy SHOWTIME’s
Chastain stated that despite her difficult life, Georgette Jones ensured that her mother was not presented as a victim.
“She was perceived in this manner… “However, she made decisions and maneuvered her life as she saw appropriate,” Chastain, 45, told The Post. It was not, ‘Poor Tammy!’ The truth is that this woman was in severe bodily discomfort. She underwent over a dozen abdominal procedures to remove scar tissue from a hysterectomy and obstructions caused by her opiate addiction. To administer medications into her heart, a port was required.
Chastain stated, “Not only is she numbing the physical agony of what she has lived through, but she has also opted to numb the emotional trauma” that has been a part of her life. Wynette’s mother forced her to undergo electroshock therapy when she wanted to divorce her first husband, with whom she had two kids. Wynette was born Virginia Pugh.
Chastain stated that Wynette’s voice were influenced by her turbulent life.
Tammy and George (Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon) on stage performing a duet.
Dana Hawley/Courtesy SHOWTIME’s
In 1981, years after their divorce, Tammy Wynette and George Jones performed in London.
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Chastain remarked, “I believe there were instances when her singing was primitive.” “Her vocal performance in ‘Stand By Your Man’ ranges from a whisper to a shout, but she despised it. She felt as though she always sounded like a pig screeching.
“I felt that her voice came from a lady who was institutionalized… and wanted to leave her marriage, but her mother took away her children,” she explained. “As I was portraying her, I kept thinking that she had a feeling of wrath and ferocity, as if to say, ‘Listen to me, notice me, and take me into consideration.’”
It is, of course, Wynette’s relationship with Jones that takes center stage as “George & Tammy” delves thoroughly into their personal and professional lives and their careers as solo singers and on-stage duet partners, which lasted long after they divorced.
“I’ve never seen anything like seeing them on YouTube when they’re both married to other people,” Chastain added. “The way that they sing to each other, the way that George tries to persuade her to kiss him… when you have that kind of connection with another person, that almost spiritual creative soulmate where you produce music together, it’s fantastic.”
She stated, “I believe country music is about not letting wounds heal, opening yourself up, and revealing the darkest side of yourself, and it must have cost them something to become the great vocalists they were.” “Recently, Mike [Shannon] and I were discussing this topic. Happiness is not a fixed state. George was content at home, and when Tammy offered, “Let’s travel to Las Vegas,” he answered, “I’ve never wanted to go to Las Vegas.”
Chastain stated that she does not believe Jones and Wynette could survive without one another.
Before they met, they orbited each other regularly. “Before she met George, Tammy had a book in which she had written down every line of his songs,” she added. “Even after Tammy’s death, George sent letters to DJs about the peculiar and mysterious circumstances surrounding her passing. In their solos, they sung about one another. They were, in a way, meant to meet; I know this sounds cheesy, but I find it quite romantic.
She remarked, “Both of them endured really rough childhoods and hardships and were able to put their hearts and souls into their songs.” They poured their entire selves into their craft.
»Jessica Chastain of ‘George & Tammy’ discusses Wynette’s ‘anger and fury’«