I originally thought this review would be brief since Amy is a documentary but the more I thought about it the more I realized there was a lot to talk about. Asif compiled an incredible cache of clips and pics of Amy Winehouse's life, scored some incredible interviews with those that knew her growing up and those that knew her from within the industry. They all echo the same sentiment, that Amy was a real down to earth young lady with an enormous heart and a prodigious talent. Listening to her sing for her record deal in the movie definitely puts that front and center. She was a singer/songwriter who hated pop music and those artists that didn't write their own songs. She also had no desire to be famous, but with a talent like hers fame was bound to happen.
A gardener protects their flowers from the elements and insects until they feel the time is right to let them flourish, yet the gardener remains ever vigilant over them. In Amy you will hear from the gardener, the man that "discovered" her, Nick Shymansky, and you'll see how he went from staying by Amy's side in the beginning to seemingly vanish when things went downhill for her. You'll discover how her father, Mitch Winehouse, abandoned Amy and her mother when Amy was just nine years old only to come back into the picture when she struck it rich. You'll see how he exploited her, and refused to tell her the truth in order to keep the money train on its tracks. And when you get insight into her on again off again relationship and marriage/divorce to Blake Fielder-Civil your skin will absolutely crawl, and then you'll realize that Amy never really stood a chance and she was doomed from the start.
She was a young talent, seeking structure and love yet receiving none of that and forced to find her way on her own. She was a flower cut far too early from the stem by her gardeners and put on display for all the world to see before she ever got the chance to properly bloom. They had no idea how to help this rare and special flower and because of that she withered away and met her fateful end. Asif doesn't get overly maudlin with Amy's death, and you find yourself appreciative of the light touch. There are voices missing from this film. Significant chapters of rumored romances and dalliances are disappointingly omitted, so the film isn't perfect, but it is a perfect look at the artist herself. For those of us who weren't on board the Winehouse train when it initially left the station, Amy allows us to marvel at how amazing beautiful and tragic the ride was, and the poignant score provided by Antonio Pinto highlighted that. I strongly recommend Amy if you are a fan or a music lover, either way you will not be disappointed because Amy is worth the price of admission. I'll see you at the theater.
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