"Back to Black": The life of Amy Winehouse

A new movie dramatizes the life and music of British singer Amy Winehouse, the charismatic, multiple-Grammy-winner whose struggles with drugs and alcohol led to her death at the age of 27. Correspondent Seth Doane talks with director Sam Taylor-Johnson about capturing a complex life on film; and with actress Marisa Abela, who describes how she inhabited the role of Winehouse from the inside out.
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[@gailjacobson7088]

She was brilliant. A voice that was gone too soon.

[@vihoglund]

😮😅😮😮😮😅

[@heathermetz6576]

Still miss her soulful singing.

[@thefeldgeister2961]

I've never been one to mourn a celebrity, but I will say that I think losing Amy Winehouse is one of the greatest losses we've ever had in music. She was such a huge talent. So many of these artists/entertainers/performers today are a joke compared to her. I often think about how much great music from her we will never get to hear.

[@Cindypisces]

💯 💯 💯 agree!!!!!!!!!!

[@jenniferhill9924]

1000%

[@RocStarr913]

She didn’t care enough about herself to not do drugs or alcohol. That’s called a waste of skin.

[@Sammy-mp9xn]

She needed to STAY in Rehab. What a Lost soul💔

[@territmoderitmo9190]

Indeed 💔

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Conclusion: Stay away from drugs and toxic people.

[@grioulaloula8594]

Thanks! Please write and sing on a good album.

[@KidaMilo89]

Sadly, some people are glued to chaos. They think they deserve it, or get a thrill out of it. Amy has self-esteem issues, I imagine she believed she didn't deserve anyone better.

[@Maw0]

Clearly you've never had to struggle because it's easier said than done.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

For a lot of people, life is a series of struggles. Drugs add to the confusion and make life a lot more difficult.@@Maw0

[@LizetteBetancourt333]

@@Maw0 Right? Same thought. It’s like a drug counselor who never took a drug in his/her life, just read books in college e going to “cure” you.

[@lionheartroar3104]

I recall how tender and caring Tony Bennett was when it came to Amy..and they made some beautiful music together. Amy was brilliant. Looks like an amazing movie. I might actually step out of the house to see it on the big screen.

[@jillv4006]

I have a habit of always discovering incredibly talented female singers after they’ve passed: Patsy Cline, Selena. Amy Winehouse…all with incredible voices and all died tragically and way too young.

[@lynnmoss2127]

Check out Eva Cassidy

[@jillv4006]

@@lynnmoss2127 you’re right. Beautiful voice. Thanks for sharing

[@Maw0]

I have the honor of living in Winchester, Patsy's home town.

[@heathermetz6576]

Marisa Abela singing Amy’s songs in the film is amazing.

[@igorschmidlapp6987]

Bull... not even close...

[@zamb323]

@@igorschmidlapp6987She was Great! She didn’t need to sound like her to capture her Magic.

[@KidaMilo89]

It was alright. Could've been worse.

[@dianes4858]

How I miss her voice! What a legend!

[@1982LavenderMiko]

Amy’s voice was phenomenal and she’ll be remembered as a star whose special presence faded away from the spotlight all too soon !!!🦋🌹🦋🌹🦋🌹🦋🌹🦋🌹 Continue to rest peacefully Amy Winehouse Your beautiful presence is still remembered 💋

[@zamb323]

I highly recommend this Film have seen twice Marisa captures Amy’s essence Beautifully.

[@joshuaW5621]

The movie made me fall in love. Oh how I wish Amy was still alive.

[@JJ-xl7ou]

What a voice she had!

[@juliangarcia2010]

🙋🏻‍♂️I saw this film already here in the states and I loved it, actress Marisa Abela did a great job with the vocals and acting….you really felt the pain Amy Winehouse went through in the film. Superb job director Sam Taylor Johnson.👌🎬🎞️📽️🎥

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I think Amy was as talented as Edith Piaf! If you don't know French singer Zaz, she is as talented as Amy and Piaf. Zaz writes her own songs too.

[@JJ-xl7ou]

I see the movie next Monday. Can't wait!

[@jeanneanderson3367]

I remember discovering Amy Winehouse when I was on a medical leave in 2007. An incredible talent that left this world too soon. Still listen to her music.

[@maxpatrickhaynes2194]

I CA abt believe it’s been 13 yrs!! Such a talent. Looking forward to the film!!

[@chrisfinch8637]

And I can still remember how distraught I was, at the thought of losing her, too….😢

[@fromtheinvisibledeskofmiked]

Such an incredible talent, long live Amy ♥

[@LizetteBetancourt333]

I miss her..what a talent.

[@2034916]

I thought the actress was amazing. I’d see it again just for her. Great performance.

[@dianafromcalifornia5127]

I admired Amy W. So much. Grateful for this. Healing to think we can honor her. Wish we could have saved her.

[@KCNwokoye]

Wow What a stunning performance by an incredibly talented Actor - Marissa. What a fantastic piece of Art. Can't wait to see it.

[@emiliobello2538]

Anyone saw the documentary Amy?

[@mereldevisser7086]

No but I want to see it though do you know if it’s good?

[@emiliobello2538]

@@mereldevisser7086 it won an Oscar

[@u.s.family9279]

Amy Winehouse Unique Great Talent.

[@lpc61]

cant wait to see this movie!

[@stealthfighter2923]

Usually Biopics feature an actor that actually looks like the person they’re portraying. By no stretch of the imagination can this chick ever be mistaken for Amy

[@evg70grl]

I cant wsit to see it! Love love Amy Winehouse im.glad someone made a movie of her live and beautiful voice for us fans. Her music will live on forever ❤️RIP AW

[@christophergonzalez1454]

so excited to watch the film, but idk how i feel about the actress singing - i want to hear amy's voice, so perhaps they are both in there.

[@maxlinder5262]

Seems like an incredible story ...😊

[@santanaross9289]

Amy Winehouse Forever 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@killerlifealbum]

Great film. I’ve studied Amy a lot but this film was made by people who really respected her And beautifully made 🎉

[@12345682900]

Still hard to even say her name without crying.

[@charlenemack7040]

I didn’t realize that she was a member of the 27 club. I’m 72 so many died decades ago that were 27 years old. I will let you look them up.

[@mililaniman]

I enjoy the music of Amy Winehouse. I look forward to seeing this biopic.

[@AlyssaBoyett-lb1vc]

My mom and I wanna see it on Friday.

[@AA-qb7ni]

The AMY documentary was perfect in depicting her life and who she was. We really don't need another movie on her.

[@michellejames5953]

Can’t wait to see it!

[@dr.aniasara7038]

There are some stories that need to be told, especially when all we hear is the media's version. Good filmmakers are doing better and deeper homework so we can know the truth, or at least get closer and a better understanding of those lives that impact history.

[@tammylewis2408]

Elvis is a great example of that homework. For example, the Graceland sets from the 50s to the 70s were accurate. and told Elvis' story throughout his life and career. Graceland was home to Elvis, where he could be himself with friends and family separate from the public persona. Baz Luhrmann is a stickler for detail, and he accomplished that. Next, there will be separate movies about the Beatles. I genuinely hope they do justice to John and George's legacies because many of us have seen Beatles movies told from the perspective of the ones who knew them, and not all of it represents an accurate and/or balanced picture of the Fab Four.

[@chrystal.clairtv7532]

But I don't think we'll ever know what really happened in Amy Winehouse's life that led her to such utter self-destruction...😏 #sad

[@Fnolaco]

Ansiosa para ver aqui no Brasil. Amo demais a Amy❤

[@montemccarty6512]

The best art, comedy,. music comes from pain. How a gifted person can turn that pain into something beautiful.

[@jamesdooling4139]

I listen to the song 'Back to Black' every time I'm sitting outside, drinking and smoking, and waiting on a delivery driver. They ALL know Amy Winehouse. ❤

[@hannahpearl9673]

I believe in a way that Amy would be proud of this. As a long time fan of hers I only wish she could have pushed past all of her demons and created more magic for all of us to enjoy.

[@tammylewis2408]

Same with Janis Joplin. Amy was this generation's Janis. Both women produced such great music and were taken too soon by drugs, alcohol, and toxic people.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I think Amy was as talented as Edith Piaf! If you don't know French singer Zaz, she is as talented as Amy and Piaf. Zaz writes her own songs too.

[@comeagyn]

​@@tammylewis2408and both Janis and Amy had hard energy and a tough soft demeanor. This girl has teenage Britney Spears energy dressed up like a cosplay version of Amy. Tragic. I doubt Amy would be proud of a "Spice Girl" looking baby Spice actress portraying her.

[@DavidMiller-kf1ss]

Documentary was enough for me Rip, all.❤

[@Sunshine-do3yv]

What a no crap kind of woman.....singer.artist......really a true rocker, talent......i admire her. Balls. She made a stamp.....hope youy still rockin it out Ms. Lady........🫂🫂🫂🫂🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧😎😎😎

[@kimberknutson831]

God, I love this show. Thank you. : ) 💚

[@alexd1121]

No offense but the actress is the exact opposite of Amy. Sweet, smiling, cute and round faced with muscular legs reminiscent of Jaimie Spears. Amy had a steely look with edgy attitude and long skeletal legs.

[@emilyjohnson5032]

Actress looks nothing like Amy, I agree!!!

[@TheEyeSeesAll]

Probably why she’s an actress

[@sherri.]

There’s already an Amy Winehouse movie, made in 2015.

[@traydaniel0403]

But that’s actually a documentary film about her life called “Amy”. Not a biopic drama film. There’s a difference. It did however won the Oscars for Best Documentary Film though

[@igorschmidlapp6987]

@@traydaniel0403 Biopics are how people get "history" now, regardless of how true it is. The LEM "argument" in "Apollo 13" NEVER HAPPENED (Ron Howard added it for "dramatic effect", as if the real situation wasn't dramatic enough), and historians are ripping "Napoleon" apart. I'll stick to documentaries...

[@erikluzparada9964]

Honestly it's the only film about Amy that matters, this movie feels awkward, just a money grab. People still taking advantage of her even on these days.

[@traydaniel0403]

@@igorschmidlapp6987There’s a difference. A biopic film when actors playing the legendary singer. There was a documentary film called “Amy” with the real Amy Winehouse and her family

[@aca_77]

Any would have hated this.

[@TheRandomChatSeries]

I miss her so much❤. I would trade every hit to have her here still. I wish she never met Blake. I just wish would of said I'm stopping the drugs and drinking so i can focus on my carrer. Sucks she died two years after my birthday.

[@freestyleval0886]

Great movie!!!!! Love you, Amy

[@rhonakirabo9352]

Her statement on someone trying to mold her into a big triangle with the gesture, is really telling, hmmm....

[@kristacampbell5784]

The definitive biopic on Amy was already made by a24. Amy's father profited off of her addiction and misery, and I beg anyone tempted to see this to see the Academy Award-winning documentary "Amy" before THINKING about seeing this in theaters. Shame on Sam Taylor and all of those involved. Let Amy rest.

[@ofaz6300]

A must see Movie

[@nashshaffer6235]

She should have went to rehab 😢

[@haydnstv]

She went several times

[@yvonneplant9434]

But, in the end, it never worked. She was so talented. 😢

[@orion6372]

She was healthy and full figured at the start of that career....would have loved to see THAT Amy

[@shotgunsnare]

This actress doesnt capture amys incredible vocal tone Sad really should have lipsynced this ..thats just me but after watching this clip i wont watch the film

[@joelds1751]

Wished she had someone to go to, a shoulder to cry on, a loving friend if not a therapist. Her talent made her well known but applies to anyone. Seems like some prefer death rather than face the pain, which you have to face eventually.

[@gilbertokoxx3559]

she needed a man "stronger than her", as she herself said, but unfortunately, she fell for a waste of skin who helped to destroy her life

[@jenniferhill9924]

God how I love this woman. She left too soon. I don’t care that this film isn’t as good as the doc. I just want as much Amy as she wanted alcohol, drugs, and Blake.

[@traydaniel0403]

I still wish Sam Taylor Johnson could’ve gave the role of the legendary late Queen of Soul/Jazz to Laurie Jauregui instead (in my opinion)

[@JB4C89]

Let her rest

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

This song was a major part of my life in 2011-2012. I think Amy was as talented as Edith Piaf! If you don't know French singer Zaz, she is as talented as Amy and Piaf. Zaz writes her own songs too.

[@jillballantyne1870]

SHE LOOKS LIKE BRITNE SPEARS-

[@lsimon343]

I don’t know how the hell Sam Taylor Johnson got Aaron Taylor Johnson

[@CooksFSH]

The movie no one asked for... this is gonna bomb at the box office

[@user-ur2wd8du4z]

Long live Amy´s talent but this movie WAS SO BAD!!!

[@mjas5452]

She looks so much like Rachel Weisz.. If they redid the mummy... Well just call on her. I think Amy if she where alive now.. would be talking about her 3rd marriage, jail, rehab and her kids whom she loves but is in a custody battle with her ex. It would of taken a lot of rehab, soul searching and maturity to extrapolate Amy from her demons.. and she would of started in one American horror series...just saying . Sad she is gone but the legend lives on.

[@lauradetommasi9179]

Reminds me Janis Joplin

[@giastephenson9958]

Nobody gets the triangle reference?? Her record company pressured her to become a triangle and she said no???? 😮

[@ericlarsen1920]

I'm not sure I see the need for a biopic this soon after her death.

[@TheEyeSeesAll]

Yeah. Gotta wait at least 63.476 years or it’s in bad taste

[@midday2706]

If only the movie Back to Black would have focused on Amy’s upbringing and wonderful lyric writing abilities and amazing vocals. They basically ruined Amy Winehouse character and talent by basing this movie on the blame game and alcoholism. As if we didn’t already know that. Can you imagine if the movie “Selena” would have been based only on her killer Fan Club Manager Yolanda Saldívar and Selena’s Father? It wouldn’t have done Selena’s character, persona and talent any justice. It’s an awful shame they couldn’t give Amy Winehouse peace and rest by at least making this Back to Black movie about her childhood , happier moments of her life and her music making talent.

[@armandoucles5346]

This is why it's very dangerous to make biopics of famous people, especially someone as legendary as Amy Winehouse. To do a biopic, I want the family to be 100 percent behind or don't even do it. The Oscar winning "Amy" documentary was fantastic. That's the only Amy Winehouse movie I need to watch.

[@BrattyBetty]

Another one lost to the 27 Club The “27 Club” refers to celebrities, mostly musicians, who died at the age of 27. This coincidence adds a layer of intrigue and infamy to already tragic events. Members of the club include: Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and more ..

[@patriciafeeley7997]

Such a talent , sad

[@lsimon343]

People are mad because Amy was not respected by the British press they mercilessly abused her, and in my opinion, the same way they pushed lady die. They contributed to her downfall the hypocritical British is what people are complaining about should’ve just lived in the United States onto Ireland or anywhere else except London because really crapped on her. She was too good for that town.

[@JoyTothesummer]

Sad

[@renefranzen1509]

Will I drink a lot one time and I felt like I was going to die and she died of alcohol poisoning I was there I was pretty close to that I only have a couple drinks now down at the park I don't drink in my apartment because I will get thrown out cuz I'll just get it'll make it makes you miserable when you're by yourself you just feel like you miss you like your it's not a pleasant feeling but if you're around a few people it's great but drinking by yourself I think she was spent a lot of time alone and nothing she would suck them down and her writing was pretty good I don't know if she wrote all her music but any musicians should have to write their own music I mean these people who really don't write their songs I don't believe in that they shouldn't be supported you should have to write your own music it's like do you see a football player getting credit for other football players actions

[@LABusDiaries]

She doesn't look like Amy

[@tommymorano7254]

Why are these two sitting so far away from each other? Dumb! Amy was amazing talent and I loved her music.

[@hsugraduation2103]

They did absolve Blake way too much.

[@marcialguity5804]

If she's hated so much, why not drink?

[@elsiebert2273]

Amy's death was predictable. I could see it coming, sadly.

[@user-yh3uk4xl8j]

Why a triangle 🔺️ 👁just saying 🤔 🤫💋

[@61505]

Amy Winehouse was mistreated by the press.

[@christianphifer]

First.

[@philvie]

Should have went to rehab

[@Thunderchild-gz4gc]

No no no

[@texasmade9090]

She did

[@chrisjames3087]

Another member of the 27 club. What is it about that age and fragile yet uber creative people?

[@shaunkenneally7597]

Sex drugs and rock n roll , claims another one. RIP Amy

[@Aksk907]

Sam please stop immediately

[@elle50472]

Amy wasn’t strong enough to get & stay in mental health help. Her story is NOT new. To the music business, she’s just another throwaway entertainer, a dime a dozen. Sad story that will keep repeating with every future generation.

[@123kbkgraphx]

She looks just like her! Not.

[@drewslife3602]

This is who Aaron Taylor Johnson is married to?… yikes

[@JohnBock-nq9lr]

She was terrible

[@amonrodriguez3518]

Looks terrible, and she looks nothing like Amy

[@jamiemacdonald436]

Hooray!

[@LABusDiaries]

I agree. Is it that hard to find a similar looking actor?

[@tammylewis2408]

Laurence Fishburne played Ike Turner and didn't look like the real Ike, but he captured his menacing, controlling, and abusive nature. Fishburne played his part so well that I was so upset when his character beat up Tina (Angela Bassett) in those scenes.

[@jusletursoulglobaby]

🙄 it's called ACTING. this isn't an impersonator showing up at your home for a bday party

[@amonrodriguez3518]

@@tammylewis2408 ya but he’s different on account uh, he’s actually talented

[@tiaweidman]

I’m tired of our society glamorizing and worshipping drug addicts and groomers (the director). There are countless Black singers who could sing circles around Amy and are leading far more interesting lives. It’s way more difficult to decide to be happy and lead a clean life. THAT is what we should be celebrating.

[@RocStarr913]

Amy Winehouse’s music was stylistic knockoffs of boring 1950’s and 1960’s music.

[@tiaweidman]

Yes! It’s kitsch at best.

[@joeybaseball7352]

3:39 illuminati

[@christina3521]

Exactly. Probably why her eventual death. All will come out in time.

[@Typical187-]

NEVER HEARD OF E'M , NO ONE CARES , MOVE ON 👎👿🚽