In Sam Taylor-Johnson’s candid portrayal of Amy Winehouse’s tragically short career, we see the haunting pressure from those around her suggesting rehab for her drug addiction. She refuses their plea, with backing from her father. It’s impressive that the movie refrains from immediately cutting to the first song from her sophomore album. The film has its merits, despite criticism.
Many have prematurely deemed Back to Black a career destroyer, influenced by its less flattering previews, the genre’s troubled past, and concerns over the appropriateness of such a project. Although Back to Black does indulge in a few familiar tropes, like Winehouse resolving relationship issues through impromptu guitar compositions, it captures the intense pain caused by her romantic turmoil, and the performances are solid and gritty.
The Winehouse narrative is probably familiar to pre-existing fans: a Jewish girl from Camden Town who honed her talent singing jazz standards, before making it big and signing an unlikely contract with Simon Fuller’s 19 Management. This then led to the release of two popular albums.
Set largely in North London, Taylor-Johnson (known for her work on John Lennon in Nowhere Boy) elicits a stunning portrayal from Lesley Manville as Winehouse’s adored grandmother. Eddie Marsan gracefully navigates the role of her father, Mitch, leaving a genuine scent of lager and pool chalk in the air.
“Back to Black”, a dramatic narrative that delves into the complex relationship between Marisa Abela’s portrayal of Amy Winehouse and Jack O’Connell playing her occasional husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, indeed pays dividends. While O’Connell convincingly performs as an appealing yet unlikable figure, Abela doesn’t match up to Winehouse’s talents behind the microphone, yet she shines in off-stage scenes, blending charm with frustrations. Yes, Asif Kapadia’s acclaimed documentary “Amy” offers more insights and presents more original music, but Taylor-Johnson has done a fair job of crafting a stirring drama out of the same heartbreaking tale, which outperforms the recent Bob Marley take. “Back to Black” hits the cinemas on Friday, April 12th.