Review: “Amy”
Just returning from a private screening at The Grammy Museum of “Amy”, I immediately crank “Frank” Deluxe Edition featuring songs I never got to hear live. Yes, I rocked with Amy’s music way before the “retro revolution”, the beehive, tattoos and ballet slippers. Still remember the excitement the day I heard Amy Winehouse was playing locally in Silverlake, shortly before “Back To Black” dropped. Of course tickets sold out and I turned to eBay, unleashing an expletive-filled tirade after an outbidding prick stole my ticket away at the last minute. I eventually let it go because surely I’d get a chance to see her again. Sadly this never happened.
Viewing the film trailer online, I knew “Amy” traveled along the timeline of the moments I first heard “Stronger Than Me” and “Fuck Me Pumps” and would trigger and resurface feelings I had the day she died. The picture evokes the familiar emotion spectrum- melancholy, frustration, pity, helplessness and confusion about whether I had a right to feel anything at all, being a fan and complete stranger. The film chronicles Amy’s early days in North London, highlighting her quick wit, brutal honesty (truth hurts especially when it’s about yourself) , close friendships, producer relationships (dope to hear directly from Remi and Ronson) and critical moments in her life- her parents’ divorce, death of her grandmother and meeting Blake Fielder-Civil. Highs (Grammy wins, key performances) and lows (overdose, self-mutilation) are explored and there’s something new for everyone, even the most diehard of fans.
The documentary raises questions that deserve answers about who in Amy’s inner circle really had her best interests at heart when considering the welfare of a generational repping brilliant voice/raw songwriter /bulimic/alcoholic/drug addict. Could her death have been prevented? Is the success, in turn driving incessant media scrutiny and constant paparazzi stalking, also to blame? After the film ended, a Q&A wrapped up the experience with the film’s director Asif Kapadia and Nick Schmansky, her ex-manager of seven years, which pushed for her rehab stay that most likely inspired the unforgettable hit. One thing’s for certain- her impact is lasting and the songs that dared to say what many can’t, remain her legacy. RIP, Amy Jade.
The film opens in LA and NYC on July 3rd and July 10th worldwide.
8 June 2015 CARLITA Breaking Bits Movies Reviews amythemovie, amywinehouse
