adminBeyond merely being a biopic, Back to Black on Lookmovie2 is an unvarnished examination of a unique talent battling inner demons. The film tells the story of Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil’s passionate yet erratic relationship. An intense love affair that inspired her Grammy-winning record of the same name.
Sam Taylor, the director, Johnson does not run from the shadows. We witness Amy’s open struggles with addiction, with the paparazzi profiting from her decline. A terrifying incident takes place in a restroom, with the clinical, chilly glow of the fluorescent lights enveloping the hopelessness of the moment. Although it’s a difficult watch, it emphasizes the human cost of celebrity.
Abela gives an outstanding performance. She manages to convey Amy’s fragility in addition to her trademark beehive hair and attitude. In a painful scene, Amy opens up to a recording booth and lets her emotions run wild. Her voice cracks with honest passion. You think Abela is using her music as a way to express her pain, and for that, she should get a standing ovation.
The movie veers off course a little bit. Amy is a talented musician, but sometimes her love story takes centre stage. It would have been wonderful to get deeper into her creative process and her smokey jazz inspirations, which are glimpsed here and then. This is a tribute to Amy’s complex life rather than a critique of the movie’s running length.
The soundtrack, oh! It’s quite clever. It’s a gift to hear Amy’s hit songs in their full cinematic beauty, from the sultry Rehab to the heartfelt ballad Love Is a Losing Game. The music is flawlessly complemented by the sombre edge of the Nick Cave and Warren Ellis score.
The biopic Back to Black isn’t sugar coated. It’s a warning story, a tribute to a vanished artist, and evidence of the timeless value of music. I was left with a deep respect for Amy’s artistry and a want for more music from her. This movie should definitely be on your watch list whether you’re a fan or just admire unadulterated talent striving for expression. It’s a wild ride, so just be ready for an emotional rollercoaster.
