Back to Black * * *

"So far removed, from all that we went through"

Sam Taylor-Johnson is the same director who gave us Fifty Shades of Grey, so therein lies a warning.  On the positive side she did once make a pretty good film about John Lennon's early days (Nowhere Boy). 

Watching this rockstar bio is not as frustrating (or as boring) as the recent biography of Bob Marley -  One Love, -  however, like that film, this too misses the mark. 

But if you put aside Amy Winehouse (and some say that's just what this film does) it's an entertaining drama about a homely girl who found a level of fame she didn't want, and who fell in love with the wrong guy. 

When we meet Amy she is doing a few pub gigs. The A&R guys "discover" her.  Probably some time after the rest of the London, but that's record companies for you.

With the encouragement and somewhat inept support from her Dad she signs an agreement.  Straight after that she gives the Record Company a serve when they try to direct her, telling them "I ain't no Spice Girl". But it could be argued that some of their advice was right.  With a polished band and hot backup singers she soon became a powerful International act.

Marisa Abela is good as Amy.  It would have been a daunting and intimidating role but she gives a convincing performance in looks, accent and feistiness. Apparently, like Renee Zellweger in Judy ,she doesn't lip-sync but uses her own voice to imitate Amy Winehouse. That's a formidable achievement in itself. 

Portrayed by Jack O'Connell her boyfriend/husband Blake comes up quite well in this film.  Same with her Dad played by Eddie Marsan.  Reputedly, both Blake and her Dad weren't much help in reality.  This film chooses to show them in a more forgiving light.  Who really knows?  People loved her and were angry that she died so tragically and so young. The public always want someone to blame and those two guys have been in the firing line since the day she died.

The thing about Amy Winehouse is that despite her huge talent and outrageous behaviour, she came across as  someone desperately needing to be looked after.  There was always an air of vulnerability about her. You want to keep her safe.  One thing is for sure: Amy couldn't handle it. The fame, the divorce, the grief when her Nan died. She carried a lot of pain. 

Back to Black does not tell the whole story and spares us the viewing of her tragic ending, choosing to conclude with her winning her sixth Grammy. 

After the very good documentary from five years ago - Amy - you have to wonder if this was necessary. I wouldn't be the first one to say, if you really want insight into Amy Winehouse that film would be a better source.  Plus there are many other informative documentaries. Some of which are available for free on the internet. 

Back to Black is an entertaining drama. Mostly I enjoyed it.  I certainly didn't feel that it was disrespectful, as some have called it.  It just felt like a eulogy that didn't properly reflect the deceased. 

 Perhaps Back to Black demonstrates that a dramatisation of Amy Winehouse's life isn't such a good idea.