Back to Black, the recently released Amy Winehouse biopic, hasn't done well with the critics. Based on 43 reviews, it has a score of 44 on Metacritic. However, at least one high-profile musician is praising the film.
Former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe took to Instagram to support the film. "@backtoblackfilm is a beautiful telling of the Amy Winehouse story. Marisa is extraordinary as Amy. Go see this film!!" Stipe posted. The words accompany a carousel of images, including him posing with director Sam Taylor-Johnson and the film's star Marisa Abela.
In the comments, some fans said they were underwhelmed by the film, but they continue to love Stipe. "It's a sh-ty movie but I love you anyway," with another writing, "The film is [poop emoji], it'll not alter that I adore you."
Others, however, agreed with Stipe's assessment. "Beautiful movie!" wrote one fan with two heart emojis. Another weighed in, "Yes I agree... I'm baffled by the hate. It's a well-directed film and Marisa's voice is extraordinary. There are so many bad movies out there and this is NOT one of them."
The film covers Winehouse's life, beginning with her Jewish family background, her being discovered and signing with Island Records, as well as her rise to success, her relationship with her boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil, and her battles with alcohol and bulimia.
Back to Black features several of Winehouse's original songs and well as some sung by Abela throughout the movie. Some noted musicians worked on the soundtrack, including Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, who scored the film. Cave also recorded the original track, "Song for Amy," for the soundtrack album. Giles Martin, the son of the late Beatles producer George Martin and the person responsible for remixing the Beatles catalog, is credited as the music producer.
The film's soundtrack album includes some of Winehouse's lesser-known material such as "What Is It About Men," "Stronger Than Me" and more as well as tracks by the Specials, the Shangri-Las, Billie Holiday, Minnie Riperton, Dinah Washington and more, though not all the tracks are available for streaming.
