Was Back to Black destined to fail?

Is Back to Black as bad as we all thought? An Amy Winehouse impersonator and a film critic weigh in on the challenge of creating a biopic...

Back to Black, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, made headlines when news broke that an Amy biographical film was in the works and has made headlines again since its release. 

Biographical pictures have been making waves in the film industry with Bohemian Rhapsody claiming four Oscars, Rocket Man claiming similar accolades and Baz Luhrmann's Elvis taking the world by storm with Austin Butler's never-ending elvis accent. But what made these so successful and why is Back to Black receiving criticism?

Anna Smith, film critic for the BBC, Sky, Metro, the Guardian and many more weighs in...

“The full answer to that would be gold dust! It is such a challenge to an actor, for one thing, to represent a real-life figure without resorting to cheap imitation. And what to include, what to leave out, bearing in mind the sensibilities of living people... It's a challenge. But it's also one that can win you a lot of Oscars if you strike a chord with people.”

Amy's life has been examined by the paparazzi, the press, her fans, and now she has taken the stage again, this time in the form of actress Marisa Abela. But what about the many others who have dedicated their life to exhibiting Amy? 

Michael, who runs the Instagram handle Amy Winehouse UK and Rachel Fuller, a Winehouse impersonator for the last 5 years, describe their reaction to the film and how difficult it can be to represent a ‘real-life figure’.

Michael begins, “There was an authentic, vulnerable and bold British identity there that I really resonated with... I think the film is a beautiful and honest portrayal of Amy as it gives a proper insight into what she was like as a person behind the music and negative media attention that people had seem to quickly base her off.”

Familiar with recreating Winehouse songs Fuller explains, “When I’m on stage, I’m fully channelling Amy through me, mannerisms, accent, actions, as much as I can!”

“I know a lot of the criticism surrounds the main actress singing instead of using Amy’s vocals, I appreciate that she won’t compare to Amy but I also respect the director's choice to use the main actress as a full vessel to tell Amy’s story.”

On the contrary, Smith simply argues “I would use Amy Winehouse's real singing voice.” A sentiment that seems to carry through public criticisms of the biopic.

Michael elaborates on the pitfalls of the film, “The only negative I would say is that it was quite sudden with how the movie ended. For those who don’t know Amy’s story inside and out, she was trying really hard at the end from 2008 to 2011 to get better which is known as 'The Lioness Era’ in the fan community.”

“This includes her recovery in St. Lucia, becoming a godmother to Dionne Bromfield, working on her planned third album, her own record label, Fred Perry collaborations, her relationship with Reg Traviss, the successful Brazilian tours and her final recording with her idol Tony Bennett four months before her death.”

“I would’ve liked for the film to have provided us with more of an insight to some of these moments as they were vital points at the end which is where she was happier and getting back to her best, both creatively and mentally.”

There is an element of morbid fascination within these biopics to see an element of tragedy, a struggle. However, with Rocket Man, there is a resolution, we see Elton John attend rehab, the same with Bohemian Rhapsody. These films offer all sides of the story. However, it seems there is a gender imbalance in how not only films present these tragedies but also how we, as the public, see them. We only need to look to stars like Anna Nicole Smith or Marilyn Monroe, these women's struggles have been played out time and time again for public satisfaction rather than leaving them to rest. You can't help but ask would these women sign off on these pictures?

Smith adds detail to this, “In the past, there has been a tendency both in film, TV and in the press to dwell on some famous women as tragic figures where men are portrayed as party boys.”

Smith continues, “It seems deeply ironic that the tabloids who hounded Amy in real life took the moral high ground about the film before they'd even seen it. It is interesting that biopics about male singers, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, get Oscars and acclaim, and people are queuing up to criticise this one.”

“I feel it is an industry trend.”

This discrepancy in how these figures are presented combined with vital points of Amys life escaping the scope of the film have left audiences stuck on the ever-present element of Winehouses’ passing in 2011 and the accusations directed towards her family. 

Michael argues, “Obviously with a film like this, there’s always going to be controversy surrounding it. But what I don’t like seeing since this film was announced is the unkindness and severe cruelty the Winehouse family are getting.”

He adds, “Losing a child is one of the worst things to ever happen to you but they did their best to help Amy, it's clear that she was the driver of her own car.”

For many it simply still feels too close to home, still too in the public consciousness, leaving us all wondering what was the motivation to make this film. If it was to truly portray Amy’s story surely the widely successful Amy documentary would have meant this was unnecessary? 

Mitch Winehouse (Amys father) explains the reasonings in a bluntly worded Instagram comment ​“The film. Yes, we do need this. At last, the chance to portray Amy as she really was. It’s also about money. We need money to keep Amys wonderful charity going. Some people are not going to like it. Tough shit.”

Biographical pictures may seem like a shortcut to critical acclaim or a fast pass to the Oscars. However, it appears that choosing a target for one and creating a successful adaptation is a separate issue. The running theme of women's biopics receiving much higher criticism may be valid alongside the need for tragedy from women. Or Back to Black may have simply not pulled it off with such a beloved star. As the ratings come in it is hard to not wonder, would it have simply been better if it was never made at all?