“Back to Black” is a new biographical film about musician Amy Winehouse. It spans from her initial record deal at age 18 to her untimely death from alcohol poisoning in 2011 at the age of 27. Prior to the film’s release, reactions to promotional materials hinted that critical responses might be mixed, a notion confirmed by early reviews that ranged from highly positive to somewhat critical. Discussions have centered on the filmmaking, musical performances, storytelling, and comparisons between “Back to Black” and previous accounts of Winehouse’s life. As someone who studies alcohol and its effects, I was particularly interested in the film’s depiction of Winehouse’s addiction to alcohol and other substances.
Winehouse passed away in 2011 from alcohol poisoning, with an inquest revealing a blood alcohol level of 0.416. This level of intoxication is dangerous, leading to potential loss of consciousness and suppression of essential life functions. The film highlights Winehouse’s (portrayed by Marisa Abela) relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil (played by Jack O’Connell). Initially, their substance use habits are contrasted (he is labeled a “cokehead” and she a “drinker”), but over time, their behaviors start to mirror each other. In one scene, Fielder-Civil mentions “toxic codependence” while Winehouse visits him in prison.
More notable than the codependency is Winehouse’s apparent lack of agency despite her immense talent and success. In her interactions with Fielder-Civil and her father (Eddie Marsan), she appears almost deferential. Her career is largely controlled by her manager and record label. However, the most shocking aspect is the relentless intrusion by paparazzi, which makes a normal life unattainable.
Alcohol is featured prominently from the very first scene, a family party that highlights Winehouse’s close bond with her grandmother, Cynthia (Lesley Manville). Even before alcohol becomes a central plot point, the audience gets hints about Winehouse’s relationship with it. For instance, she is seen drinking straight vodka in a pub with her soon-to-be manager and consuming a murky “Rickstasy” cocktail (a mix of Southern Comfort, vodka, Baileys, and banana liqueur) alone on the day she first meets Fielder-Civil. In another scene, she tells her grandmother that she had “a couple of drinks” for courage before appearing on “The Jonathan Ross Show.”
However, Winehouse’s concurrent mental health issues are less clearly portrayed. It is well-documented that she faced mental health challenges, including depression and bulimia. There is a strong connection between substance use and mental health problems, which often occur together. The filmmakers’ decision not to heavily feature Winehouse’s mental health issues might be fair, particularly since the director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, aimed to “joyfully honor” her. However, this choice results in a less nuanced depiction of her relationship with alcohol and other substances.
Extensive research links social stressors, parental conflict, interpersonal trauma, and complicated grief to substance use. The film reminds viewers of what Winehouse has lost or lacks (her parents’ marriage, Fielder-Civil, her grandmother, a baby), reinforcing the notion of “drinking to cope” or self-medication. Although the idea of self-medicating is commonly understood, its portrayal should not be overly simplistic. Research into post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder indicates a lack of solid evidence supporting the self-medication model. Alcohol use and mental health influence each other in both directions, with each potentially driving the other.
Towards the film’s conclusion, Winehouse’s decision to go to rehab is presented as a swift progression through the stages of the “stages of change” theory, which outlines six phases: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. The film shows little of her time in rehab, and while it later conveys the chronic and relapsing nature of addiction, viewers are left to fill in many gaps.
Overall, while “Back to Black” avoids harmful and stigmatizing portrayals of addiction and mental health issues, it does not provide a deep understanding of the complexities of addiction. If you want to explore your own relationship with alcohol, you can assess your drinking habits with Alcohol Change UK or consult your GP.