Back to Black ★★★

AMY Winehouse’s tragic career trajectory was an all-too-familiar story of fame and fortune never being enough.

In Winehouse’s case, according to the excellent 2015 documentary Amy, all the singer wanted to do was write songs, perform and look after her parents.

Unfortunately, she also liked to have a good time which led to drug and alcohol abuse; but that’s only part of the tragedy.

The other main contributing factor was the price of fame and everyone wanting to make a buck out of you, including a voracious and unflinching tabloid media pack.

With all this in mind, the main reason to see the biopic Back to Black is the cast led by Marisa Abela who does a terrific job encapsulating the essence of the singer.

A trio of great strong actors – Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville as Amy’s parents and Jack O’Connell as the dangerous love of her life – complete the principal cast.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis scored the film which naturally features belting vocal performances from Abela.

It won’t reveal anything new, but see Back in Black for the acting, vocal performances and music.

Watched on Apple TV.