Back to Black (2024) - Review
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© 2024 Focus Features, LLC.
Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Written by: Matt Greenhalgh
Starring: Marisa Abela, Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, Lesley Manville
Runtime: 122 min
Synopsis: The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse's early rise to fame and the making of her groundbreaking album, Back to Black. Told from Amy's perspective and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film follows the remarkable woman behind the phenomenon and the tumultuous relationship at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.
© 2024 Focus Features, LLC.
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Movies We Texted About. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Back to Black completely fails in adapting Amy Winehouse's life to the big screen, falling into common biopic traps, and drowning in them. The film not only disrespectfully omits and revises critical facts from the artist's life but also fails to convey the emotional depth of her music and the challenges she faced. By turning her story into a superficial, cheap version, not even Marisa Abela's remarkable performance can save the horrendous work of Sam Taylor-Johnson and Matt Greenhalgh. It deserves no recommendation, serving only as an example of what to avoid when adapting the life of a real person to cinema.
