FilmSnobReviews

Title: Amy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Asif Kapadia
Starring: Amy Winehouse, Blake Fielder-Civil, Mitch Winehouse
Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins

What It Is: As the title would suggest this is an intimate documentary on the late jazz/blues singer Amy Winehouse. In it we are given a peek behind the beehive at her ascension from small town English gal to worldwide phenomenon. From her personal struggles with her family to the demons, she could not, and sadly would never escape. We see how she left the light and found herself back in black and out in front of a revolution all her own.

What We Think: What a fantastic movie! Not only is this a well-crafted and pointed documentary, but it’s brilliantly done. Let’s first start with the story Kapadia crafts, it is at one point a heartfelt goodbye, and eulogy for an artist gone too soon, and likewise a cautionary tale (once again) of the dangers stardom can bring. One thing it really showcases is Winehouse’s creative process, a process that brought us one of the decade’s best albums in Back in Black. This film goes to the heart of the girl behind that towering hairdo. This broken-hearted soul whose blues and jazz we can feel in our core.

Our Grade: A+, This is the best documentary I’ve seen all year! You just care, right from the start. There’s never a moment even during her spiral where you wish you did not know the ending. It reminded me a smidge of Selena in that regard. Except here, we get to watch the artist do her thing. I’m going to glowingly recommend this thing to everyone. The best thing of all is it is currently on early view VOD, and will be released soon on Blu-Ray, DVD and all of the on demand stuff. Just watch this damn movie even if you’re not an Amy Winehouse fan. This is as much a love-letter to music as it is story of a tragic idol.