Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/XK1BBZZ9Wog
The life and times of Amy Winehouse were tracked with glee by the world's media, and news of her death somehow came as no surprise. The 2015 documentary simply named Amy charts the life of Winehouse, from pre-fame to discovery to the heights of her fame to her spiral into drugs.
This is a dark and bleak documentary, and in parts is really really sad. I've heard this documentary referred to as "the best found footage horror movie of the year" and while that was said tongue in cheek, I definitely get what they mean. Because its a collection of phone calls, interviews, and home movies this has a very intimate feel to it, and at times it almost feels voyeuristic to watch. While giving it a creepy tone, the home movies aid with making this all feel so real.
I do feel like it could have benefited from a narrator. It just kind of moves from stage to stage in the timeline with the odd flashback here and there. I think with a narrator there could have been expanded explanations of what we were seeing on screen, and maybe some more background info. The lack of a guiding voice made this feel to me like something was missing. But that's just a minor gripe.
This is a difficult documentary to watch but gives a very raw and open glimpse into the horrible effects that drug and alcohol abuse can have on people. It is not a tribute to Winehouse and her music, but a dive into the darker side of the entertainment industry. It's worth a look, but go into it prepared for a very rough ride.