Thoughts: Amy directed by Asif Kapadia
Today, I saw the documentary “Amy,” directed by Asif Kapadia. Compiled with pictures, audio, and video clips, Kapadia captures a disturbing look into a lost and drug addicted woman. Some people have always been fascinated with Amy Winehouse, while others dislike her; I’m one of those that fall in between. But you can’t deny she was a prime example of true artistry. She wrote her music and her voice was nothing short of golden and perfect. But she was troubled and nothing I could have ever read or seen could have prepared me for “Amy.” It is frightening to a see naturally talented Winehouse spiral into dark places with no one giving two shits whether or not she was staying afloat. At least a well-done pastiche piece portrays those around her as people who watched her drown, with the exception of her friends. But at 27, Winehouse made her choices and it is because of those often terrible decisions, she was an artist full of pain, poignant imagery, and chilling vocals that hit your soul. Amy Winehouse had a jazz voice; her duet with Tony Bennett is so good; but it was her ability to keep modern horns and layer them with some classic jazz grooves is what made Winehouse unique and brilliant.
I would recommend seeing “Amy” in the theaters. I understand there are obviously omissions that people still want to correct, and this, like any other documentary, will hold limited perspectives and biases. But this is a well-done movie that gives fans—and non-fans alike—a musician dying as result of losing sight of why she chose the path she chose. The audio and clips go well with the structure and flow of the timeline. It is a well-edited film that highlights the lows and highs of a woman no one thought actually needed saving. It is a beautiful yet heart-breaking film.
