Back to Black (2024)

Back to Black (2024). 2h 2m | R

“u0026#39;Back to Blacku0026#39; is not the best.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe opening chunk of the movie, say the first 30-45 minutes, is not good, a very rocky beginning. The introduction to the characters felt unnatural, the spontaneous moments of the lead character (who they make a tiny bit unlikeable at around that point) singing… borderline cringe. I will say, though, from after that the film does improve, funnily enough once the titular track plays I enjoyed this more.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNow for the cast. Marisa Abela is, acting-wise, decent enough, Iu0026#39;m not sold on her likeness to Amy Winehouse but I only really know of the musician minimally in her later years so I could very likely be wrong to question it to be fair. Her accent seemed forced as well, though that could be a similar case as to what I just mentioned with the resemblance.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI did feel like I was watching Abela acting like Winehouse, rather than Winehouse portrayed by Abela. What I mean by that is in the best biopics I feel like Iu0026#39;m watching the person depicted, almost documentary-esque, but here it felt more obvious that I was watching someone act as someone, if that makes sense. Same can be said for Jack Ou0026#39;Connell, I know zero about Blake Fielder-Civil but still felt like Ou0026#39;Connell was overtly imitating someone.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are positives, though. Lesley Manville puts in a good performance, her scenes with Abela are the film at its strongest. Eddie Marsan is solid too. It also does whatu0026#39;s needed to make you care for the main character, even if that isnu0026#39;t all that difficult. Winehouseu0026#39;s big songs, at least all the ones I know of, are featured well; I most liked u0026#39;Valerieu0026#39; years back, but that eponymous track really is outstanding.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNo doubt super sad how Winehouseu0026#39;s life played out, I knew she died fairly young but when the epilogue details that she passed at just 27 it really does hit hard… such a waste. As for this movie in itself, mind, itu0026#39;s not all that unfortunately.”