Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil has shared his thoughts on the new biopic Back To Black, explaining that he found it “therapeutic”.
The film – directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson – 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 singer’s vibrant years living in London, as well as her intense rise to fame.
In the movie, Winehouse’s former husband Blake Fielder-Civil is portrayed by Jack O’Connell (Skins, Godless, Lady Chatterley’s Lover). He stars opposite Eddie Marsan, who was cast as the singer’s father, Mitch.
Now, appearing on today’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Fielder-Civil shared his thoughts on the biopic, and admitted that he found the film “almost therapeutic” 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 “in a more accurate representation” to what he is used to.
“Not in a sense of being let off the hook or whitewashed, as [has] been alluded to… just in a sense of it wasn’t all about addiction,” he said. “As 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.”
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 “Disney prince”.
“The problem is, the story that had been perpetrated, or the narrative, is something I learned quite quickly [the film’s cast and crew] weren’t interested in repeating,” he replied. He also added that O’Connell approached him before making the film “out of respect”.
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 ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ singer died in 2011, aged 27, due to alcohol poisoning.
“I hope that [Mitch Winehouse] would see that there was genuinely love there, I love Amy,” he said later in the GMB interview. “She loved me too. If there was anything that could bring her back, I would, obviously.”
The comments from Fielder-Civil come following an appearance on the show last year, when he spoke on what would have been the singer’s 40th birthday. During the 2023 discussion, he recalled what it was like to carry the “burden” of her death.
“It’s devastating she’s not here. I think about her a lot,” he told hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard at the time. “We had our issues, I think if it wouldn’t have been for certain factors it would’ve been a completely different relationship, a different outcome.”
Back To Black was given a four-star review by NME, with Nick Levine writing: “Abela, so good in banking drama Industry, captures Winehouse’s fascinating mix of self-belief and frailty. She also takes on her songs, pretty remarkably.”
“Obviously, it was going to be tough for Back To Black to surpass Winehouse’s 2006 album of the same name – what could? – but Taylor-Johnson’s film is more than deserving of your time,” it continued. “It offers a welcome reminder of Winehouse’s plucky spirit – something that often gets lost when her life is reduced to a hackneyed tale of talent and tragedy.”
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. “There are so many [stories that stuck with me], but it’s more just her essence. I think that will stay with me forever now,” she explained of the biopic, also naming ‘Stronger Than Me’ as her favourite of the late artist’s 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. “It was incredibly nerve-wracking,” she explained. “I felt an obligation to prove to everyone that… this was something that was gonna be good.”
The Amy Winehouse Band also recalled what it was like working with the artist, and explained how they are looking to keep the singer’s legacy alive. Discussing their upcoming live shows in her memory, bassist and director Dale Davis told NME: “I realised it was about the crowd – 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.”