Parents' Guide to Back to Black

This is a perfectly capable musical biopic, that is well-made and well-performed, but brings nothing new to a story so well-documented through the tabloids. Back to Black's director Sam Taylor-Johnson is a safe pair of hands, and she handles the subject matter with delicacy and sensitivity. But this story of one of the U.K.'s biggest talents in recent years, was told so remarkably well in the Oscar-winning documentary Amy, that this drama needed to delve into untold territory for it to truly stand out. Instead the film plays it safe, and while this is perhaps understandable given it was only 2011 when Winehouse tragically died at the age of 27, it begs the question as to why this film was made and if there was any need for it. On the plus side -- and this is the film's major positive -- is Abela's performance in the central role. Not only does she bring humanity and empathy to Winehouse, but her singing is impressive, managing to avoid feeling like a poor impersonation. The supporting roles -- especially O'Connell as Fielder-Civil, and Eddie Marsan as Winehouse's father, Mitch -- also do a fine job, ensuring that the one thing that the film can't be faulted for is the acting.