Marisa Abela’s performance as Amy Winehouse has been slammed (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
Back to Black has been hit with more criticism as Marisa Abela’s singing is branded ‘disrespectful’ to the late Amy Winehouse.
Winehouse, who died aged 27, is the latest to have her life played out on screen in the onslaught of Hollywood biopics but has been marred by fan complaints.
Back to Black is set to hit cinemas next month, directed by the wife of rumoured next James Bond, Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Fans have expressed concern that it is ‘too soon’ given Winehouse’s death in 2011, which led to Mark Ronson defending the film.
A new clip has reignited fans’ fears of disaster as Abela’s imitation of the Tears Dry On Their Own singer’s voice failed to spark enthusiasm.
‘This s**t is actually disrespectful like we need justice for Amy Winehouse,’ slammed fan Eric as they shared the video on X.
Fans are even apologising to the late Amy Winehouse (Picture: Chris Christoforou/Redferns)
Eddie Marsan stars as Winehouse’s dad alongside Abela (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
Originally posted by the film’s official TikTok page, the video features the 27-year-old actress singing Stronger Than Me as Winehouse’s career grows.
The ‘exclusive’ snippet cuts between her writing and recording the song for her debut album Frank to playing it live in legendary Jazz club Ronnie Scott’s.
However, the studio has since switched off comments on its last four promotional TikToks, including this controversial teaser.
‘Wait, this is supposed to be Amy Winehouse?’ Nik Davies questioned on X where the video was reshared, with Kalina replying: ‘Amy I’m so sorry.’
‘I genuinely believe anyone involved in making this film should be arrested,’ tweeted Bradley Stern.
Taylor-Johnson’s directorial choices were questioned as the clip was compared to a Saturday Night Live sketch.
‘The clips of that Amy Winehouse movie is p**sing me off because why would they let that lady butcher songs like that? It’s like a SNL skit but worse,’ scathed Cassidy.
One anonymous user called the whole thing ‘a mess’ but noted that Abela is ‘talented’ just ‘not giving Amy in the slightest’.
Sharing a video of Winehouse singing Back to Black, Maria vented: ‘It’s a different song, but Amy Winehouse was such a talented and emotional performer and this movie doesn’t seem to capture any of that.’
Some expressed sympathy for Abela for having to imitate Winehouse’s inimitable vocals, saying the film should not have been made in the first place.
They lamented that Abela wasn’t able to capture Winehouse’s vocals (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
There are calls for the film to be scrapped completely (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
Lily V Johnson said: ‘Wait, is that the Amy Winehouse…? Why didn’t they just use her vocals? Expecting anyone to even come close to sounding like that woman is just crazy. Her voice was something.’
‘Can they please just scrap the Amy Winehouse biopic? It hurts to see my fellow industry sister Marisa go down like this,’ added Dominque.
Winehouse’s family have approved of the biopic despite outcry from fans as set pictures and trailers were released.
Taylor-Johnson later made it clear that they have ‘no involvement’ and were not able to make changes, with Winehouse’s father ‘keeping his feelings to himself’.
Back to Black hits cinemas on April 12, 2024.
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