Amy

Ever since i was a child, i had a huge passion for music. I used to play instruments like flute, and guitar, until i became a teenager and found other things to do. But i always continued listening to music, in many different formats. One of the biggest inspirations for me personally, was Freddie Mercury, singer of Queen. He had a voice like no other, and did some fantastic songs before he passed away. I would probably say that Queens music helped me during my hard years of being abused as a child and teenager, i could dream away to a world where i fit in. As i became a bit older, and graduated from gymnasium, i remember one month especially that year in 1997. In november, news were coming out that Michael Hutchence, singer of rock band INXS, have been found dead in an hotel room in Sydney. INXS was a band that i have followed during the 80´s and 90´s, especially with their 1992 album Welcome To Wherever You Are. The news of Michael Hutchence death was shocking, and i remember i used to buy newspapers to read the story, behind his death. That same year, INXS did release an album called Elegantly Wasted. At the time of the release, i did not pick it up. But after Michael passed away, i found myself a copy and listened to the last album with Michael on board. Even until this day i can still feel some of the lyrics are very personal. Before he died he was working on a solo album, that was released in 1999. Listen to the song Possibilities, and listen to the lyrics. This song is magical. Many great artists have passed away, but some of them pass away much too early. One of those artists that should have lived a long life, but never got the chance, was Amy Winehouse. A woman who had a very special voice, and had a very unique style compared to many women at her young age. Since my wife used to listen a lot to Amy Winehouse´s album Back To Black, i found myself enjoying her songs. There were so many Deep lyrics in her songs, that felt very personal. You could read in the newspapers, and hear on the news about her drug problems and alcohol problems, so you knew she was in trouble. But when i got the news she was found dead at her home, in 2011, i was shocked. Not that i was one of her biggest fans, but such a talented musician, passing away so young felt terrible. So after some time, when i read that director Asif Kapadia, ( who directed the horror film The Return and the documentary film Senna ), were chosen to direct a documentary film about Amy Winehouse, i became very curious. Is this a worthy portrait of the singer who left us much too early, or is this just a documentary film that feels way to simple ?

At a very young age, Amy Winehouse started recording songs with jazz influenzes, with friends of hers. After a lot of hard work, and she got a chance to work with producer Simon Fuller, she released her debut album Frank, in 2003. Critics praised her musical style, and especially her voice. The album did sold well, and she was becoming a beloved artist worldwide. As she begin working on her second album, problems became clear. She was beginning using drugs, mixed with alcohol. But she managed to finish the album and stay focused, while the album Back To Black was released worldwide. This album became a huge success, and she was playing at sold out concerts all over the world. She even won the 50th Annual Grammy Award for best pop album. She was having problems with drugs and alcohol for some time, but now things got even worse. With her boyfriend, Blake Fielder-Civil, she became even more destructive with drug problems. They get married, and the problems just become bigger, Follow the story of Amy Winehouse, on her journey from an ordinary neighbourhood, to become a superstar across the world, until her life ended in the summer of 2011.

While watching Amy, during her interviews and her lyrics pass by, you sit there and begin to realise that she was very mature for her young age. A woman her age did not usually love jazz music, with so much dark lyrics. You can clearly hear that she did not feel like an ordinary woman, that she had to do this in her own way. When she became very successfull with Back To Black, you can tell she did not know how to handle the situation. I think one of the reasons why Amy was loved all over the world, was her honest image. She was herself, she did not need to hide behind the tabloids to look like a woman should be, she was only being herself. Her lyrics were very emotional, and while you watch some of her early performances, you get the sense that she always wanted to find a way out, to where she could feel more happy with herself and her life. I usually don´t show many emotions in a cinema, but when Amy was on screen you could not escape feeling sadness for her. She had so much potential, and was one of the few original singers out there who had her own unique style. Of course she wanted to be loved, just like anyone wants to be. That she choosed to be with Blake Fielder-Civil seemed to make things worse for her problems, so you sit there and feel like punching him in the face. I realise that this would not solve the problem, but he was bad for her, no doubt about that. One of the things i reacted on was her father Mitch, especially when Amy is on vacation, and all her father care about is the camera crew being there, and making sure she signs fan autographs. When you have a daughter that had so many problems with alcohol and drugs, and still make sure she tours and do promotion, what is more important, her or the money ? I understand he wanted to help her, but it becomes more obvious that he is also doing this for the money instead of helping her on a different path. No one of us will probably know the true story, but this documentary film really shows Amy Winehouse many different sides that we have not seen before. Amy is a very emotional and powerful story that director Asif Kapadia have managed to put together very professional, with a lot of important details. This is his best work so far as an director, and i hope that people will take the time to see this film. Even if this film have a lot of tragedy, we also get some moments where Amy really showed her good sides, that she was a woman with a big heart. I would love to see if Asif Kapadia could do a documentary film about Michael Hutchence, since he seems so good at showing portaits of people. If he would consider doing this of course, but i think that could be interesting. Make sure and watch Amy at your local cinema, you won´t forget this visit.

Rating: DDDD