The first time I heard Amy Winehouse single, “You Know I’m No Good” on the radio, I couldn’t believe she was only in her early twenties. Her voice, deep, blues and world weary, sounded like something straight out of the 1960’s. I didn’t take me long to go out and pick up her album Back to Black which remains a favorite of mine to this day.

While it was incredibly sad to hear of Amy’s death at 27 of alcohol poisoning, it wasn’t much of a surprise. In little more than a couple of years, Amy had become a tabloid fixture; known as much for her music as her voracious drug and alcohol problem and troubled personal life.

Asif Kapadia’s (Senna) occasionally funny, revealing, ultimately devastating Amy offers up a surprising amount of videotape footage featuring a young Winehouse. In one clip, she sings at the 13th birthday party of a friend. Her voice belies her age; her talent is obvious. A friend urged her to record a few demos, which led to her first record contract. She wrote her own songs and each was very personal to her. As her career began, Amy seemed to know there were limits to what her psyche could take. Speaking to a camera held by her first manager and friend Tyler James she says, “I don’t think I want to be famous … I couldn’t handle it. I’d go mad.”

Kapadia’s ability to involve Winehouse’s family and her best friends from middle school (who she stayed in touch with) along with a wealth of videotape footage gives us a chance to see to see a side of Amy Winehouse we haven’t seen before. Though she was a child of divorce and had her issues, she could also be fun-loving. We get a peek at what was a rather average life, before Amy was swallowed up by the fishbowl of fame.

It’s horrifying to watch a gaunt Amy in her final days. It’s hard not to question are apparent obsession with celebrity as tabloid journalists chased her and she became the punchline for countless comedians. One look at her and it’s clear she’s not well. At her final concert. Amy refused to sing a note. From afar, that appeared to be the actions of a spoiled diva. But the documentary informs us that Amy didn’t want to do the concert; she wanted to get away, but the corporate machine was churning and she was forced to go on stage. Not singing was the only power she had.

Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Lionsgate’s 1080p presentation varies due to the various types of footage on display here, but the new interviews are stellar. Older footage is largely videotape.

The5.1 DTS-HD MA track serves the film well. Interviews are clean and clear and music is quite full.

The following extras are available:

  • Audio Commentary by Director Asif Kapadia, Editor Chris King and Producer James Gay-Rees.
  • The Making of Amy (2 min.)
  • Deleted Scenes: 17 in total.
  • 3 unseen performances of “Rehab,” “Love Is A Losing Game,” and “You Know I’m Good.”
  • Interviews with Mos Def, Mark Ronson, Salaam Remi and Jools Holland.
  • Teaser Trailer
  • Digital Copy