- Sensibility: This tragic story is wild and told very sensibly. However, I felt the story glossed over how she got past Blake after his release from prison.
- Cinematography: The whole story is told through a beautiful blend of old home-video footage, photographs, and the eventual onslaught of paparazzi and media coverage. The overlay of the lyrics describing her life with the elements of the story is an incredibly effective touch. Sound design is excellent, even if some of the lower quality footage is hard to hear. It's rare that narration is used so effectively with the documentary elements and isn't grating or obtrusive.
- Energy: An unforgettable story about a once-in-a-generation artist. It's like experiencing her albums, concerts, and her life all at once.
- Narrative: The film does a brilliant job of trying to get down to the truth, particularly when there's so much gossip around Amy. The connections with the events of her life and her music is a perfect way to capture her life as a person and as an artist.
- T-Points: The film received three bonus points: one for a great blend of lyric overlays with music performances to depict the story, one for a great moment where Amy's rendition of "We're Still Friends" re-introduces Blake, and one for the film's honest but compassionate reflection on her life.
One of my favorite documentaries that I come back to almost every year. I watched it on July 23rd this year in remembrance of the brilliant artist that was Amy Winehouse. While I am probably biased being a great fan of Amy Winehouse,
I think this film captures a side of the artist and person with a sensitivity towards her humanity that I think was lost in much of the major news coverage.
Number of Watches: 3
