Hudson Moura
The biopic Back to Black, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, is a family-friendly film perfect for streaming at home. It offers a more tender and less tragic perspective on Amy Winehouse’s life than expected. Opening with a scene of Amy singing with her family, the film establishes music as a unifying thread connecting her loved ones. This narrative choice places family relationships at the story’s heart, presenting a sweet but somewhat sanitized portrayal of the singer’s life.
Marisa Abela delivers a convincing yet uninspired performance as Amy, singing the songs herself rather than relying on dubbing. While this adds an authentic touch, it raises questions about its effectiveness, given Winehouse’s unique and inimitable voice. The decision might have been better justified by including more improvisational or jam session scenes to capture the essence of her creativity and highlight why her voice was so iconic.
One of the film’s strengths lies in exploring the musical world that influenced Amy. Fans will appreciate the soundtrack, which features jazz tracks she loved. A standout moment captures this identity: when a friend offers her cocaine, saying he thought she was “rock and roll,” Amy replies, “I am jazz,” perfectly encapsulating her deep connection to the genre that shaped her artistic identity.
The film also highlights intimate relationships that reveal Amy’s warmth and generosity. Her bond with her grandmother (portrayed beautifully by Leslie Manville) is touching and provides a tender counterpoint to her more complex relationship with her father, Mitch. These moments add welcome emotional depth, though their potential is not always fully realized.
Despite its merits, Back to Black is limited by its safe direction and unadventurous script. It struggles to truly immerse viewers in Amy Winehouse’s inner world or convey the brilliance of her genius. Where great biopics allow audiences to “live” in their subject’s skin, this film remains on the surface, offering information about Amy without fully capturing her essence or experience.
The soundtrack, composed by the iconic Nick Cave, adds an elegant final touch with “Song for Amy,” written as a tribute to the singer and closing the film on an emotional note. While music is one of Back to Black’s highlights, it cannot entirely compensate for its narrative shortcomings.
The film feels like a response from the Winehouse family to the 2015 documentary Amy by Asif Kapadia, which they criticized for exploiting her image and life as the media had done during her career. Supported by the charitable foundation dedicated to Amy’s name, which helps vulnerable youth struggling with addiction, Back to Black is sincere and respectful but lacks the depth and originality needed to capture Amy Winehouse’s soul fully. It will likely appeal to fans curious about a more intimate side of the artist but may disappoint those seeking a deeper dive into her unique voice and universe.
2.5/5