Review: Amy (2015)

[David N. Butterworth]

AMY (2015)
A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2016 David N. Butterworth

*** (out of ****)

Jimi Hendrix. Kurt Cobain. Jim Morrison. Janice Joplin. Ordinarily, a
young London lass whose stated goal in life was to be a singer would have
given her front--and adorably gapped--teeth to be associated with such
iconic musicians. Soulful British jazz chanteuse Amy Winehouse does indeed
bear comparison, both for her talent and her tragic end. These musical
legends, along with 'Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, influential blues
guitarist Robert Johnson, and eerily many others, are all members of the
so-called 27 Club, a doomed group of performers who lost their lives,
either by their own hand or otherwise, at the age of 27. The absorbing
documentary "Amy" doesn't touch on the club's membership, but focuses on
Amy, her family, and the demons that haunted her. The film features clips
from home movies, interviews, and concert performances of the
controversial, smoky-throated diva who couldn't handle the price of
fame--candid times in Camden Town with a heavy dose of portent. Despite
Winehouse's protestations in her multiple Grammy-winning, million
dollar-selling hit "Rehab," she *did* wind up seeking treatment for drug
and alcohol addiction, but it wasn't enough. "I ain't got the time and if
my daddy thinks I'm fine..." Vibrant. Thought-provoking. Heartwarming.
Heartbreaking. Asif Kapadia's film paints a compelling portrait of true
artistry undone by a surfeit of poor role models and the incalculable
pressures of instant celebrity.

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David N. Butterworth
rec.arts.movies.reviews
butterwo...@gmail.com