Marisa Abela’s portrayal of Amy Winehouse in the new biopic, “Amy Winehouse: Forever Young,” has elicited strong reactions from fans around the world. Among those touched by Abela’s portrayal is Dale Davis, Winehouse’s bassist, who recently spoke out about the impact of the film.
In a recent interview with Variety, Davis shared his thoughts on the movie, which features Abela in the titular role of Winehouse. The biopic, which was directed by Kieron Hawkes, chronicles the life and career of the late singer, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 27.
According to Davis, Abela’s portrayal captures the essence of Winehouse in a way that, at times, takes him “back to moments in time.” He praised the actress, who previously appeared in the BBC series “Industry,” for her dedication to the role and her ability to channel Winehouse’s distinctive voice and style.
“The way she played Amy, she really captured that essence of Amy and took me back to moments in time,” Davis said. “It was like watching Amy. It was really, really powerful.”
Davis, who played with Winehouse for several years and appeared on her Grammy-winning album “Back to Black,” also spoke about the challenges of replicating the singer’s sound and energy on stage.
“Amy was a once-in-a-lifetime talent,” he said. “She had such a unique voice and such a unique take on music, so it was always a challenge to try to capture that, to try to match her energy and her spirit. But Marisa did an incredible job. She really captured that essence and brought it to life in a way that I think fans will really appreciate.”
While the film has received some criticism from fans who feel it doesn’t fully capture Winehouse’s personality and struggles, Davis believes that it provides an important glimpse into the singer’s life and legacy.
“I think it’s important to continue to celebrate Amy’s legacy and to remember the incredible talent that she was,” he said. “And I think this film does a great job of that. It’s not just about the music, it’s about the person behind the music and the impact that she had on people’s lives.”
In addition to Abela, “Amy Winehouse: Forever Young” features an all-star cast that includes Charlie Kranz as Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil and Samuel Oatley as her father Mitch Winehouse. The film also features a number of Winehouse’s most iconic songs, including “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” and “Valerie.”
Despite the acclaim that Abela has received for her portrayal of Winehouse, the actress has been candid about the challenges of portraying the singer, who was known for her distinctive voice and style.
“It was daunting to take on this role, because Amy was such an iconic figure,” Abela said in a recent interview with BBC News. “But I tried to focus on capturing her essence and her spirit, rather than just trying to replicate her voice or her movements exactly.”
Abela also acknowledged the criticism that the film has received for its portrayal of Winehouse’s struggles with addiction and mental health.
“I think there’s always going to be criticism when you’re dealing with someone’s life,” she said. “But our goal was to celebrate Amy’s legacy and to show her as a real person, with all her flaws and all her beauty.”
Ultimately, Davis believes that Abela and the rest of the cast and crew of “Amy Winehouse: Forever Young” have succeeded in capturing the spirit of Winehouse and honoring her memory.
“I think this film will really resonate with fans of Amy’s music, as well as those who may not have been as familiar with her music before,” he said. “It’s a powerful tribute to a truly incredible artist and person.”