George & Tammy

Surprisingly enough I’d say the whole rise-and-fall format used in music biopics works better in a limited series rather than film. More character moments were allowed to have room and while I get why some may not like it I really liked how time was set aside to showcase some recreations of musical concert performances. Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon are outstanding, Emmy nomination worthy, in their roles too. It’s a flawed show with most issues stemming from those that always seem to show up in every music biopic story but nonetheless a really good show in general.

It manages to craft a story about a toxic relationship that is united through music with a surprising ability to prevent it from falling into conventional romantic melodrama. The two lead performers create complex, nuanced personalities, and even the elaboration of the musical numbers is appealing even if you're not a country music fan, because the songs describe their lives. But above all, John Hillcoat's direction achieves a balance and homogeneity in the narrative that makes it a profound description of two tragic characters.