Moviefone Editorial

Tag: amy-winehouse

  • Movie Review: ‘Back to Black’

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    In theaters on Friday, May 17th, ‘Back to Black’ aims to chronicle the rise of jazz-influenced singer Amy Winehouse, who became one of the most successful British artists of all time, but saw her life and career cut tragically short at 27 due to alcohol poisoning.

    Sam Taylor-Johnson, who also made ‘Nowhere Boy’ (which focused on the earlier life of John Lennon), tackles another well-known UK performer, but the result here is nowhere near as successful.

    Related Article: Marisa Abela and Director Sam Taylor-Johnson Talk ‘Back to Black’

    Is ‘Back to Black’ a Decent Musical Biopic?

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    It feels like we’ve been besieged by biopics of musical legends of late. With ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ scoring an Oscar for star Rami Malek, many more of the genre that had either been lingering in development limbo or not even considered were suddenly hauled out into active forward movement. In the last couple of years alone, we’ve seen the likes of Elvis Presley (and Priscilla Presley), Leonard Bernstein and Bob Marley brought to screens via movies that, for the most part, focus on specific chunks of their lives and careers.

    So to have a chance at standing out, ‘Back to Black’, which certainly features a fascinating, troubled subject at its core in British crooner Amy Winehouse, would have to be something special. Regrettably, outside of a superb central performance by ‘Industry’s Marisa Abela, this new example of the genre singularly fails to offer much in the way of a fresh take.

    ‘Back to Black’: Script and Direction

    Actor Marisa Abela and director Sam Taylor-Johnson on the set of 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Actor Marisa Abela and director Sam Taylor-Johnson on the set of ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    Matt Greenhalgh, who previously collaborated with Taylor-Johnson on ‘Nowhere Boy’ and wrote the excellent ‘Control’ (about fellow UK act Joy Division), here doesn’t quite crack the necessary vibe that would make the story truly come to life.

    It’s not entirely his fault –– Winehouse’s life and career certainly boasts some familiar beats in terms of creativity and struggles with addiction. Originally just a casual weed smoker and binge-drinker, her relationship with beau Blake Fielder-Civil turned her on to the idea of crack and other narcotics, but the script simply doesn’t find a way to bring it all to the screen without coming across as cliched. And there are some truly groan-worthy, only-in-a-biopic lines, such as Winehouse’s initial refusal to go to rehab. There’s taking inspiration from the artists’ lyrics, but then there’s verging into ‘Walk Hard’ parody territory.

    It doesn’t help that beyond Winehouse and possibly Fielder-Civil, the vast majority of the other roles are underwritten ciphers that it takes talented actors to do much with (more on that below).

    As for Taylor-Johnson’s direction, it’s mostly a back-to-basics approach that itself offers little invention and rarely does Winehouse justice. One or two moments work effectively, but the whole is most certainly less than the sum of its parts. Were it not for Abela’s luminous work and Winehouse’s clever, emotion-packed lyrics, there would be little to recommend this one beyond big fans of the singer. But even many of those are likely to walk away unsatisfied. If you already know the story, you won’t find much in the way of extra layers or insight here.

    ‘Back to Black’: Performances

    Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse and Jack O'Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse and Jack O’Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    If there is anything that serves as the movie’s saving grace, it’s the powerhouse central performance from Marisa Abela, who completely inhabits Winehouse’s skin. She’s got the look (partly thanks to some effective work by the make-up and hair department) and the cheeky/depressive style of the singer down pat. She almost overcomes the limitations of the movie around her, her Amy a bucketful of charm that you root for, even as she descends into an all-too familiar spiral of sex and drugs.

    The singing, always an important element of a movie such as this, works well, Abela impressively pulling most of it off herself, with judicial use of the real Winehouse here and there.

    As her future husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, Jack O’Connell is… fine? His most impressive scene is his introduction, meeting Amy in the local watering hole and striding in the cat that got the cream, sweeping her off her feet with music references and his laddish charisma. But as the story progresses, he begins to fade away, the screenplay offering him little to chew on, Fielder-Civil reduced to a moaning partner who at times treats Amy’s feelings like his personal plaything.

    As her father Mitch, Eddie Marsan turns in a predictably solid performance as the reliable, trustworthy, proud dad whose heart breaks as his daughter dives into drugs as her success level explodes. Yet the role calls upon him to do little other than worry, one speech in particular bringing the character to life, but that’s about it.

    Beyond the central trio, Lesley Manville has one or two fun scenes as Amy’s stylish, inspirational singer grandmother, but as the real-life story dictates, she’s moved off screen relatively soon.

    ‘Back to Black: Final Thoughts

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    Given the memorable story and real-life inspiration, ‘Back to Black’ really doesn’t do either much justice. Outside of Abela, this is not much to write home about, and is very much an average musical biopic hitting familiar notes.

    If someone tries to make you go to ‘Back to Black’, your answer might best be “no, no, no…”

    ‘Back to Black’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘Back to Black’?

    The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s (Marisa Abela) early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, ‘Back to Black’ that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Back to Black’?

    • Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse
    • Jack O’Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil
    • Eddie Marsan as Mitch Winehouse
    • Juliet Cowan as Janis Collins-Winehouse
    • Lesley Manville as Cynthia Winehouse
    Musician Nick Cave, director Sam Taylor-Johnson and musician Warren Ellis during a scoring session of 'Back to Black', a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Musician Nick Cave, director Sam Taylor-Johnson and musician Warren Ellis during a scoring session of ‘Back to Black’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Back to Black’:

    Buy Amy Winehouse Music on Amazon

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  • ‘Back to Black’ Interview: Marisa Abela and Sam Taylor-Johnson

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    Opening in US theaters on May 17th is the new biopic ‘Back to Black,’ which chronicles the life and career of legendary singer Amy Winehouse. The film stars Marisa Abela (‘Barbie’) as Winehouse and was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (‘Nowhere Boy’).

    Related Article: ‘Back to Black’: Amy Winehouse Biopic Casts Marisa Abela

    Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and Marisa Abela Talk 'Back to Black'.
    (L to R) Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and Marisa Abela Talk ‘Back to Black’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Marisa Abela and director Sam Taylor-Johnson about their work on ‘Back to Black’, how Abela prepared for the role, why Taylor-Johnson wanted to make the film, and the legacy of Amy Winehouse.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Marisa, can you talk about preparing for this role and what did you learn about Amy’s life that really helped you capture her spirit on screen?

    Marisa Abela: I mean, the preparation was an intense one. It was different to anything I’ve ever done before as an actor. There’s a lot of emotional prep and imaginative prep that goes into playing any part. But when someone is as intense as Amy Winehouse, as well as recognizable as Amy and a real person, there’s just a lot more factual and technical work that goes into playing that person. So, there’s all the emotional nuances that you would normally do, and then you must layer on these mannerisms and her singing voice, the way she moves, the way she talks, and all these things. So, I booked the job about four months before I started filming, and I was in intense preparation for those four months. Singing lessons, guitar lessons, movement lessons, and a physical transformation. But also, I mean, the truth about transforming into Amy was finding what about her that I felt was important. The truth is that when I first found out about the job and when I was auditioning for it, I felt a connection to Amy in my very early stages of research to her soul and to her wants and desires in life. Quite immediately and quite emotionally, I think that carried me through the whole process and made this feel like an authentic path for me to take as an actor. Because I just connected to something within her soul that was important to me. You can sort of add all the affectations on top of a thing, but if the thing itself isn’t real, then it counts for nothing. She needed to exist, really. That’s something that’s internal. It’s internal work, and it’s about intention, feeling and perspective. Luckily, I found that, but we also found it together.

    Actor Marisa Abela and director Sam Taylor-Johnson on the set of 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Actor Marisa Abela and director Sam Taylor-Johnson on the set of ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    MF: Finally, Sam, as a filmmaker, why did you want to make this movie and what did you want to say about Amy’s life?

    Sam Taylor-Johnson: When they asked me to make this movie, I found myself saying yes before I really processed the responsibility that I was taking on in a way. But one of the reasons, or I guess primarily the only reason I wanted to make it was the music, because the music was such a gift, and they are two of the greatest albums. But really, I wanted to frame our story with ‘Back to Black,’ because it really felt so truthful, and so much so that her voice leads us through the movie in that way. That the songwriting and the lyrics and going into her perspective was interesting for me as a filmmaker to create something where we really sort of sit intimately in her space and understand creatively who she was when she wrote this music. But, you know, it’s a knife edge that you must walk in a way to make something like this, because of that sense of responsibility. Because she really lived, and there are still people, you know, her family and her friends. The only way I felt I could do it in a way that did justice to her was to use her voice as my kind of north star, if you like.

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    What is the plot of ‘Back to Black’?

    The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s (Marisa Abela) early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, ‘Back to Black’ that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Back to Black’?

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black,' a Focus Features release.
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Back to Black’:

    Buy Amy Winehouse Music on Amazon

     

  • New Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley Biopic Photos

    Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in 'Back to Black' and Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in 'Bob Marley: One Love.'
    (Left) Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in ‘Back to Black.’ Photo: Studiocanal & Monumental Pictures. (Right) Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘Bob Marley: One Love.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Images from ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ have arrived online.
    • The musical biopics chronicle two musical icons.
    • Both films will be out in 2024.

    There has been a definite rise in the number of musical biopics in the last few years, spurred, most likely, by the Oscar-winning success of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. We’ve seen films about singing stars such as Elton John, Whitney Houston and “Weird Al” Yankovic brought to life on screen (that last one, admittedly more of a spoof version of the genre).

    You can add two more to the list via upcoming movies –– Britain’s Amy Winehouse and Reggae icon Bob Marley. Winehouse’s story will be told in ‘Back to Black’ while Marley gets the cinematic treatment in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’.

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    What’s the story of ‘Back to Black’?

    Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in 'Back to Black.'
    Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in ‘Back to Black.’ Photo: Studiocanal & Monumental Pictures.

    Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (who has form with musical folk via John Lennon film ‘Nowhere Boy’, the movie stars Marisa Abela as Winehouse, who was widely considered one of the greatest artists in recent history, selling more than 30 million records worldwide, and today generating more than 80 million streams per month.

    Her acclaimed 2006 album “Back to Black”, propelled her to global stardom, going on to win a (at the time) record breaking 5 Grammy Awards, including Record Of The Year and Song of The Year for hit single “Rehab”. She got her start on the North London jazz circuit and rose to become a musical superstar. She tragically died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27.

    The movie will focus on Amy’s extraordinary genius, creativity and honesty that infused everything she did. A journey that took her from the craziness and color of 90’s Camden High Street to global adoration.

    Who else is in ‘Back to Black’?

    The cast also includes Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville.

    Related Article: ‘Back to Black’: Amy Winehouse Biopic Casts Marisa Abela

    Sam Taylor-Johnson talks ‘Back to Black’

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black.'
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black.’

    Here’s what the director said when the movie was first announced:

    “My connection to Amy began when I left college and was hanging out in the creatively diverse London borough of Camden. I got a job at the legendary KOKO club, and I can still breathe every market stall, vintage shop, and street,” she says in a statement. “A few years later Amy wrote her searingly honest songs whilst living in Camden. Like with me, it became part of her DNA. I first saw her perform at a talent show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho and it was immediately obvious she wasn’t just ‘talent’… She was genius. As a filmmaker you can’t really ask for more. I feel excited and humbled to have this opportunity to realise Amy’s beautifully unique and tragic story to cinema accompanied by the most important part of her legacy – her music. I am fully aware of the responsibility, with my writing collaborator––Matt Greenhalgh––I will create a movie that we will all love and cherish forever. Just like we do Amy.”

    When will ‘Back to Black’ be in theaters?

    ‘Back to Black’ has yet to confirm a domestic release date, but it starts rolling out in the UK and other international locations on April 12th, 2024.

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    What’s the story of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’?

    Kinglsey Ben-Adir as “Bob Marley” in 'Bob Marley: One Love' from Paramount Pictures.
    Kinglsey Ben-Adir as “Bob Marley” in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who most recently made ‘King Richard’, ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity.

    We’ll discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.

    Who appears in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’?

    'Bob Marley: One Love' is scheduled to be released in theaters on January, 12th 2024.
    ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is scheduled to be released in theaters on January, 12th 2024.

    The movie stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley, with Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita. The cast also includes James Norton, Tosin Cole, Umi Myers, Anthony Welsh, Nia Ashi, Aston Barrett Jr., Anna-Sharé Blake, Naomi Cowan and Michael Gandolfini.

    Reinaldo Marcus Green on why he chose to make ‘Bob Marley: One Love’

    Musician Bob Marley from the 2012 documentary 'Marley.'
    Musician Bob Marley from the 2012 documentary ‘Marley.’

    The director told Empire that he knows the film is a big responsibility:

    “I’ve always loved Bob, his music was playing in my household growing up was thinking, how serendipitous. Somehow it felt like it was written for me; Bob Marley lived at 42 Oakley Street in London and 42 is my favourite number. There were all these weird signs calling me to this film. And I think what Bob sang for, his message of unity and peace and love are the things I believe in as a human being. I’m sure they’ve been trying to make a Marley move for years and it’s never happened and somehow it’s falling on my doorstep. I just thought, ‘yeah it’s a gigantic risk because Bob is so beloved and an icon, a fascinating character and he has a cult following so you don’t mess with Bob, you can’t get him wrong.’”

    A trailer for ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is now online.

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    When will ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ land in theaters?

    The Marley movie will be on screens on February 14th.

    Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in 'Bob Marley: One Love.'
    Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘Bob Marley: One Love.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Bob Marley: One Love’:

    Buy Amy Winehouse Music on Amazon

    Buy Bob Marley Music on Amazon

  • Marisa Abela to Play Amy Winehouse in New Biopic

    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 'Back To Black.'
    Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black.’

    Amy Winehouse is widely considered one of the greatest artists in recent history, selling more than 30 million records worldwide, and today generating more than 80 million streams per month. Her acclaimed 2006 album “Back to Black”, propelled her to global stardom, going on to win a (at the time) record breaking 5 Grammy Awards, including Record Of The Year and Song of The Year for hit single “Rehab”. She got her start on the North London jazz circuit and rose to become a musical superstar.

    She’s also famous for tragically dying far too young from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27 in 2011. So her life is naturally something that filmmakers have been looking to bring to the screens for years, and Asif Kapadia’s 2015 documentary ‘Amy’ did a fine job of chronicling her work and world.

    But talk of a biopic surfaced the same year and back then, Noomi Rapace was attached to play Winehouse for ‘August Rush’ director Kirsten Sheridan, but that project never came to fruition.

    Marisa Abela on HBO's 'Industry.'
    Marisa Abela on HBO’s ‘Industry.’ Photo: Simon Ridgway/HBO.

    Then came ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and ‘Nowhere Boy’ director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who is reuniting with the latter film’s writer Matt Greenhalgh for ‘Back to Black’. Backers Studio Canal, Focus Features and Monumental Pictures have announced a movie that “will focus on Amy’s extraordinary genius, creativity and honesty that infused everything she did. A journey that took her from the craziness and color of ‘90s Camden High Street to global adoration––and back again.” The film will reportedly “crash through the looking glass of celebrity to watch this journey from behind the mirror, to see what Amy saw, to feel what she felt.”

    And now we know who will be playing Winehouse herself, as ‘Industry’ actor Marisa Abela has landed the lead role, a certainly looks the part in the first publicity shot from the film, which will kick off production next week in London. Abela, who has also been seen in movies such as ‘She is Love’ and ‘Rogue Agent’, has a role in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’, in theaters on July 21st.

    Taylor-Johnson is excited to dig into the story and do Winehouse justice. “My connection to Amy began when I left college and was hanging out in the creatively diverse London borough of Camden. I got a job at the legendary KOKO club, and I can still breathe every market stall, vintage shop, and street,” she says in a statement.

    “A few years later Amy wrote her searingly honest songs whilst living in Camden. Like with me, it became part of her DNA. I first saw her perform at a talent show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho and it was immediately obvious she wasn’t just ‘talent’… She was genius. As a filmmaker you can’t really ask for more. I feel excited and humbled to have this opportunity to realise Amy’s beautifully unique and tragic story to cinema accompanied by the most important part of her legacy – her music. I am fully aware of the responsibility, with my writing collaborator––Matt Greenhalgh––I will create a movie that we will all love and cherish forever. Just like we do Amy.”

    Amy Winehouse from 'Amy' documentary.
    Amy Winehouse from ‘Amy’ documentary.
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