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Writer's pictureJack Aling

Back to Black - Review

We Only Said Goodbye With Words.

2.5 / 5

The Guardians of the Galaxy team line up

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.

The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album.


Amy Winehouse's story is put to screen in the latest of a long line of big-screen biopics - Back to Black.


There was a lot of controversy surrounding this release given the sensitive and complex nature of Winehouse's life and the impact being in the public eye - so a biopic feels set to fail before the cameras begin rolling. It doesn't help that the final film feels soulless, speeding over what made Amy such a unique and individual artist, boiling her legacy down to a lover's tragedy.


Marisa Abela does her best with what she is given but Back to Black is the definition of a 'paint by numbers' biopic, ticking off life events like a to-do list while distracting you with recognisable music. I can completely understand why many would be offended by this; if nothing else, it’s a great reminder to forget this ever existed and listen to Winehouse's excellent music.

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