Amy Reflection

The documentary, Amy, was extremely powerful in illustrating the rise and fall of Amy Winehouse. Starting with discussions of Amy’s life prior to fame, the film went on to document Amy’s life under the spotlight and how drug and alcohol abuse ruined her career and ended her life.

Initially, the documentary seemed much like a standard documentary about someone’s life. The highs and lows were discussed and Amy’s passion for music was vividly illustrated through interviews and footage; her life as a celebrity was shown and everything about the film seemed typical of any other biographical documentary. What made Amy unique was the capturing of Winehouse’s decline. Cameras were present to showcase her fall from grace, something rare in film. Often times, when a celebrity goes through a struggle like that of Amy, footage is scarce. But the filmmakers had access to Amy through it all and even managed to go to the private island where she was rehabbing to film her because of their connection to Amy’s manager/father.

The camera showed how Amy’s physical state worsened significantly over the course of her drug and alcohol abuse stage. The audience could clearly see a successful singer losing her mind. The way the film showcased Amy’s downward spiral was very powerful. The interviews with her friends, pictures of her, and footage all culminated into a clear change of state. Amy was no longer the person she had been throughout her life. She had lost her desire to perform and could no longer control her addiction.