Cigarettes killed Amy Winehouse.
At least that’s what you conclude from watching “Back to Black,” the “sanitized for your protection” biopic about the late singer/songwriter.
Short on detail, the Sam Taylor-Johnson film doesn’t even give a good sense of what propelled her career. One minute she’s singing in a bar, the next (after several smoke breaks), she’s at a record label making demands.
Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black."
Her grandmother (lovingly played by Lesley Manville) exerts plenty of influence (including that hairstyle) but isn’t given enough time to really leave a mark. Instead, we see dad (Eddie Marsan) all over the place, driving Amy to appointments and serving as her “yes” man. Husband Blake Fielder-Civil (Jack O’Connell) schools her in music (which other biographies refute); Simon Fuller gets upset because he can’t package her like another Spice Girl.
And Amy? She’s in the middle of the pack, innocently singing her songs and insisting she wants to make her own choices.
Drug use, bulimia, alcohol poisoning and other factors said to have caused her death are only hinted at here. Put Amy in a poodle skirt and this could have been the story of any number of ‘50s singers.
“Back to Black,” however, should be more specific, more honest about the woman it remembers. (“They tried to make me go to rehab”? Where did that come from?)
Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse and Eddie Marsan as Mitch Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson's "Back to Black."
Marisa Abela does a fine job duplicating Winehouse – particularly her voice – but she’s not given the scenes that could land her the kind of attention these films bring. She has a good flirtation with O’Connell but then Taylor-Johnson shortchanges their off-again moments and winds up prompting more questions than answering any of them.
Even Winehouse’s duet with Tony Bennett is left on the cutting room floor (if it was filmed). She mentions him several times early on, then smiles as footage shows Bennett announcing her Grammy win for Record of the Year. “Body and Soul”? It’s merely a number she admired, not the tune that won her and Bennett another Grammy.
Worse, most of Winehouse’s songs aren’t given the performance they’re due. Snippets of songs (including “Rehab” and “Black”) hint at what she was but don’t demonstrate. At times, you’d swear someone was trying to scrub her past until it starts to look like Taylor Swift’s present.
Jack O'Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil and Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in "Back to Black."
While paparazzi play a role here, they can’t compare to the cigarettes that get more screen time than any supporting actor.
They’re the wind beneath her wings and the rasp within her throat.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "Babygirl"
UpdatedWhat happens when the intern hits on the boss? Bruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Babygirl" may hold the answer.
Movies in a Minute: "The Brutalist"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "the Brutalist" is a film that will stand the test of time and remind others just how important creativity is to the moviemaking process.
Movies in a Minute: "Nosferatu"
You can't say Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller didn't warn you.... DON'T watch "Nosferatu" after dark.
Movies in a Minute: "A Complete Unknown"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that while "A Complete Unknown" is a respectful screen biography of Bob Dylan, it would be better served with a little less music and a little more grit.
Movies in a Minute: "Nickel Boys"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says “Nickel Boys” may seem jarring at first. But once you understand this is a slice of life, not the product of some writer’s imagination, you can dig in and appreciate this stunning work of of cinematography.
Movies in a Minute: "Moana 2"
UpdatedEven though Auli’l Cravalho, the voice of Moana, sings the heck out of her songs, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says “Moana 2” has such a similar trajectory to the original that it almost looks like a remake.
Movies in a Minute: "We Live in Time"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Smile 2"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Saturday Night"
UpdatedIs "Saturday Night," a genesis story of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," the best movie of the year? Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says it's a contender.
Movies in a Minute: "Joker: Folie `a Deux"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Joker: Folie `a Deux," a music-filled movie, was a good idea, but it had nowhere to go.
Movies in a Minute: "Megalopolis"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Megalopolis" is "classic, removed and, at times, overdone." (and those are his nice comments)
Movies in a Minute: "Transformers One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Transformers One" is an origins story that details how the whole idea came about. The film looks good, runs less than two hours and doesn’t make you feel like you’ve entered some strange new world.
Movies in a Minute: "Speak No Evil"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Speak No Evil" is visually messy and disjointed. It becomes one of those horror films that makes you want to scream at the screen.
Movies in a Minute: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that when Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton’s crazy-haired bio-exorcist, appears all is right in the crazy world of this sequel to 1988's "Beetlejuice." But be forewarned - if you're not familiar with the original movie, you may have some catching up to do.
Movies in a Minute: "Reagan"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Reagan" squeezes too much drama into one film. It's a CliffsNotes approach to history just hitting the highlights and quickly moving on.
Movies in a Minute: "Blink Twice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says if you put a bunch of people on an island just about anything can happen..... and, in "Blink Twice," it does.
Movies in a Minute "Alien: Romulus"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Alien: Romulus" isn’t afraid to throw in a good ol’ popcorn surprise when you least expect it. You don’t have to know a thing about the earlier “Alien” films to enjoy this one.
Movies in a Minute: "It Ends With Us"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "It Ends with Us” becomes yet another protracted romance in which no one is honest and open. It’s an OK relationship drama, it just didn’t need more than two hours to make its point.
Movies in a Minute: "Trap"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Trap" is an interesting concept, particularly since it plays on understandable fears.
Movies in a Minute: "Deadpool & Wolverine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Deadpool & Wolverine" is the Marvel film for everyone who has grown weary of superheroes and their overly long stories. Teaming with Jackman was a brilliant move. The yin and yang of the new Marvel Universe can take on everyone and still manage a smirk.
Movies in a Minute: "Twisters"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Twisters" whips up plenty of action to be one of the best movies this summer.
Movies in a Minute "Maxxxine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Maxxxine" doesn’t accomplish much or really scare. It’s a visual treat but a scary movie dud. It’s merely an attempt for a director to walk in other’s shoes, not blaze new trails.
Movies in a Minute "Despicable Me 4"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Despicable Me 4" is all over the map, looking for something to stick. It’s fine for those with short attention spans but for everyone else it’s a mess to sort out.
Movies in a Minute "A Quiet Place: Day One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says the joy of "A Quiet Place: Day One" is how well Lupita Nyong’o conveys every emotion without words. She’s a wonderful actress who makes you care about her, her cat and the law student, played by Joseph Quinn. When they’re in danger, we’re in danger. When they’re exhaling, we’re exhaling.
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment critic Bruce Miller says that while the action in “Thelma” may not be all that realistic, it’s highly entertaining and just the ticket for audiences tired of three-part dramas.
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" doesn’t try to deliver big messages, it's just a lot of fun.
Movies in a Minute: "Jim Henson Idea Man”
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "“Jim Henson Idea Man” shows how the puppeteer created the Muppets and Sesame Street. “Idea Man” scratches at the surface of Jim Henson. It just doesn’t dig into the felt.
Movies in a Minute: "Summer Camp"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says “Summer Camp” doesn’t have a spark that could start a fire.
Movies in a Minute: "The Blue Angels"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Blue Angels" documentary shows us what it’s like to be the best of the best. For fans of air shows, it’s a great “rest of the story” production.
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" includes the best motion capture performance we’ve seen and, easily, the reason this film works so well. No matter how many “Planet of the Apes” films you’ve seen, this is the one to embrace.
Movies in a Minute: "The Fall Guy"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Fall Guy" rolls out every jaw-dropping stunt possible and manages to pull the curtain back on the movie industry.
Movies in a Minute: "Challengers"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Challengers" is a smart love fest for fans of tennis. The film is a closer than usual look at the emotional toll the game takes. When the action starts, we’re curious how it’s going to play out.
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says that if you get an invitation to dinner from "Abigail" just say it got lost in the mail. She's a messy eater.
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Civil War" seems like a film designed to scare audiences into attention.
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Monkey Man" never sits still. The film is full of extreme close-up shots which are impossible to ignore and, often, easy to misread.
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" isn’t as good as previous mashups, but this, you might say, is the “Oppenheimer” of the monsterverse.
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Late Night With the Devil" toys with its audience and plays out much like an old-school talk show.
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Snack Shack" is Profane, constantly in motion and very retro. It’s the vacation you didn’t think you needed but sure were glad you took.
Movies in a Minute: "Cabrini"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Cabrini" is a noble look at the patron saint of immigrants, Frances Cabrini. The film reminds us there is not an even playing field then – or now. It’s a stirring message at this time of year.
Movies in a Minute "Dune: Part Two"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Dune: Part Two" plops you in the middle of the action and never slows up. This sequel is beautifully photographed and powerfully scored.
Movies in a Minute: "Drive-Away Dolls"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Drive-Away Dolls" is isn’t as complete as you’d like it to be but it does have moments and isn’t afraid to let familiar faces play unfamiliar roles.
Movies in a Minute "Bob Marley: One Love"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Bob Marley: One Love" has plenty of music and a subdued vibe but it doesn’t tell us a lot about the reggae legend himself. The film leaves out plenty of key information – the kind of stuff a fan would like to know.
Movies in a Minute: "Lisa Frankenstein”
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says “Lisa Frankenstein” is a light romp in a dark, dark world. But it could have been a wild wallow in an era that was packed with possibilities.
Movies in a Minute: “The Greatest Night in Pop”
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says “The Greatest Night in Pop” is a wonderful slice of history that shows what happens when stars check their egos at the door and produce something iconic.
Movies in a Minute: "Poor Things"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Poor Things" may be one of the most bizarre films of the year, but it's also a springboard for some of the best acting work of the year.
Movies in a Minute: Best Actress nominee Sandra Huller
UpdatedSandra Huller, who stars in two Best Picture nominees, "Anatomy of a Fall," and "The Zone of Interest," is also nominated for Best Actress for her role in the former. Movie critic Bruce Miller calls Huller's performances incredible and says her Best Actress nomination is one of the most deserving honors of the year.
Movies in a Minute: "Mean Girls"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Mean Girls" has a problem with the translation to the big screen. Here, it’s darker and, somehow, more serious.
Movies in a Minute: "Anyone But You"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Anyone But You" isn’t as fun or as snarky as you want it to be. It’s just a chance for it stars to try something new without making a huge mistake.
