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Writer's pictureGus Keller

Back to Black



More of a summary than a story, Back to Black is a disjointed checklist of moments. Its plot is cluttered with events and supposed drama, yet it unpacks none of it. Consequently, it comes across as superficial and unearned. Not only does this feel detached, it also feels blatantly reductive. The committed acting (complete with range, vulnerability, physicality, and growth) only makes the writing's inadequacies more apparent. Because it's so lacking in context, organization, and honesty, the whole experience quickly falls apart into a mishmash of simplistic tropes, scattered ideas, and compartmentalized exposition. Despite broaching intimate topics, Back to Black is weightless.


Technically, Back to Black applies craft with misaligned purpose and forced tones. Its cinematography has pops of focus, lighting, mounts, and composition, but is often basic. The editing is abrupt and disorienting, with weak momentum, clunky structure, and rushed pacing. Its sound offers emotionally-motivated distortions. The music often elevates scenes rather than just being arbitrarily plugged in. Its production design achieves the evolving look of Winehouse right, yet it feels oddly confined. The cast adds surprisingly strong fit but very little fame. Its effects amount to brief makeup and very minor stunts. Overall, Back to Black is less than the sum of its parts.


Writing: 3/10

Direction: 4/10

Cinematography: 7/10

Acting: 8/10

Editing: 3/10

Sound: 7/10

Score/Soundtrack: 8/10

Production Design: 6/10

Casting: 5/10

Effects: 5/10


Overall Score: 5.6/10


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