Amy Winehouseâs ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil has shared his thoughts on the new biopic Back To Black, explaining that he found it âtherapeuticâ.
The film â directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson â arrives in cinemas earlier today (April 12), and follows the life of the late singer. It stars Marisa Abela (Industry) as Winehouse and charts the iconic singerâs vibrant years living in London, as well as her intense rise to fame.
In the movie, Winehouseâs former husband Blake Fielder-Civil is portrayed by Jack OâConnell (Skins, Godless, Lady Chatterleyâs Lover). He stars opposite Eddie Marsan, who was cast as the singerâs father, Mitch.
Now, appearing on todayâs episode of Good Morning Britain, Fielder-Civil shared his thoughts on the biopic, and admitted that he found the film âalmost therapeuticâ due to how he was depicted.
In the interview with host Kate Garraway, he said that some parts of the movie made him feel seen âin a more accurate representationâ to what he is used to.
âNot in a sense of being let off the hook or whitewashed, as [has] been alluded to… just in a sense of it wasnât all about addiction,â he said. âAs much as that might have been the salacious headlines, and the paparazzi’s goal, there was addiction, but it was only an aspect. The relationship started like every relationship does.â
Garraway then noted how Taylor-Johnson had said that she wanted to shed light on what drew the two together rather than focus on the battles with addiction, but the film has received some criticism for depicting Fielder-Civil as a âDisney princeâ.
âThe problem is, the story that had been perpetrated, or the narrative, is something I learned quite quickly [the filmâs cast and crew] werenât interested in repeating,â he replied. He also added that OâConnell approached him before making the film âout of respectâ.
Winehouse and Fielder-Civil met and began dating in 2005, and got married two years later. After both struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, they divorced that same year but continued seeing each other on and off. The âTears Dry On Their Ownâ singer died in 2011, aged 27, due to alcohol poisoning.
âI hope that [Mitch Winehouse] would see that there was genuinely love there, I love Amy,â he said later in the GMB interview. âShe loved me too. If there was anything that could bring her back, I would, obviously.â
The comments from Fielder-Civil come following an appearance on the show last year, when he spoke on what would have been the singerâs 40th birthday. During the 2023 discussion, he recalled what it was like to carry the âburdenâ of her death.
âItâs devastating sheâs not here. I think about her a lot,â he told hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard at the time. âWe had our issues, I think if it wouldnât have been for certain factors it wouldâve been a completely different relationship, a different outcome.â
Back To Black was given a four-star review by NME, with Nick Levine writing: âAbela, so good in banking drama Industry, captures Winehouseâs fascinating mix of self-belief and frailty. She also takes on her songs, pretty remarkably.â
âObviously, it was going to be tough for Back To Black to surpass Winehouseâs 2006 album of the same name â what could? â but Taylor-Johnsonâs film is more than deserving of your time,â it continued. âIt offers a welcome reminder of Winehouseâs plucky spirit â something that often gets lost when her life is reduced to a hackneyed tale of talent and tragedy.â
Last month, lead actor Marisa Abela caught up with NME on the BRITS 2024 red carpet, shortly before presenting Bring Me The Horizon with the award for Best Rock/Alternative Act. âThere are so many [stories that stuck with me], but itâs more just her essence. I think that will stay with me forever now,â she explained of the biopic, also naming âStronger Than Meâ as her favourite of the late artistâs songs.
In celebration of the film, NME announced a special print edition celebrating the life and legacy of the acclaimed singer-songwriter. There was a free NME Screens preview event where fans had the opportunity to watch the film before it was released in cinemas too.
Speaking with NME in a recent interview, Abela also recalled her excitement at being offered the role, as well as the pressure she felt to pay tribute to Winehouse. âIt was incredibly nerve-wracking,â she explained. âI felt an obligation to prove to everyone that⦠this was something that was gonna be good.â
The Amy Winehouse Band also recalled what it was like working with the artist, and explained how they are looking to keep the singerâs legacy alive. Discussing their upcoming live shows in her memory, bassist and director Dale Davis told NME: âI realised it was about the crowd â not me. We do it out of the love and respect Amy gave us over the years and try to honour that as closely as we can.â