Movie Review: Amy Winehouse story flattened in frustrating biopic ‘Back to Black’

This image released by Focus Features shows Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in a scene from “Back to Black.” This image released by Focus Features shows Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in a scene from “Back to Black.” This image released by Focus Features shows Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in a scene from “Back to Black.” This image released by Focus Features shows Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse, left, and Eddie Marsan as Mitch Winehouse, in a scene from “Back to Black.

“Amy” was also a movie that didn’t sit well with her grieving family. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, said it was misleading and contained “basic untruths.” After it won the Oscar,saying that it had no bearing on her life and was manipulative. Kapadia, he said, was more exploitative of his daughter than anyone.

There seems to be an excessive amount of rationalizing in the way everyone involved talks about “Back to Black,” over justifying its existence and its choices. But just because everyone keeps telling us that it’s a celebration doesn’t mean that we have to get on board. I’m not sure what is celebratory about dramatizing this tragedy, or helpful, or artful, or particularly revelatory about it either.

In some ways, this portrait of Amy Winehouse makes her immense talent the sideshow and her obsession/romance/heartache over Blake the defining story of her adult life. This is at least somewhat redeemed by the chemistry between Abela and O’Connell, who look far too glowing and healthy to be believable as heroin addicts.

Entertainment Entertainment Latest News, Entertainment Entertainment Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

How biopic 'Back to Black' puts Amy Winehouse 'right back in the center of her story'A new movie dramatizes the life and music of the charismatic British singer whose struggles with drugs and alcohol led to her death at age 27. Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and actress Marisa Abela describe capturing a complex life on film.
Source: CBSNews - 🏆 87. / 68 Read more »

Amy Winehouse Deserves a Better Biopic than ‘Back to Black’Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film turns an iconic artist into a little girl lost.
Source: VanityFair - 🏆 391. / 55 Read more »

‘Back to Black’: Amy Winehouse’s Biopic Is Seriously Out of TuneThis look back at the life and music of one of the 21st century's major singers reduces her life to one half of a bad romance. No, no, no!
Source: RollingStone - 🏆 483. / 51 Read more »

Marisa Abela Wears Some of Amy Winehouse’s Actual Clothes in Back to BlackCostume designer PC Williams shares how she memorialized the singer's signature wardrobe for the screen.
Source: harpersbazaarus - 🏆 467. / 52 Read more »

Marisa Abela On ‘Back To Black,’ Playing Amy Winehouse, & Learning To Sing ProfessionallyMarisa Abela had never sung in public before signing on to play Amy Winehouse. Here, the 27-year-old actor shares what it took to embody one of music's most famous voices.
Source: NylonMag - 🏆 697. / 51 Read more »