Jack O’Connell has defended controversial Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black, describing it as a ‘celebration’ of the later singer’s life.
The actor, 33, plays the star’s husband Blake Fielder-Civil in the upcoming film alongside Industry’s Marisa Abela, 27, as Amy – who tragically died from alcohol poisoning aged just 27 in 2011.
Back To Black, which has been endorsed by Amy’s father Mitch (played by Eddie Marsan) has drawn outrage from the singer’s pals who slammed it for it’s ‘ghoulish’ depictions of the star’s drug addiction and also filming her funeral.
But speaking about whether it was ‘too soon’ to make the biopic Jack defended the filmmakers asked what an ‘acceptable timescale’ would be.
Telling The Sunday Times: ‘Put it like this: if we were trying to portray her in any form of negative light, then that might be a valid point and I can understand one or two people pre-empting that. But if you talk to Sam [Taylor-Johnson, director] we’re not even calling this a biopic, it’s a celebration’.
Jack O’Connell, 33, has defended controversial Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black, describing it as a ‘celebration’ of the later singer’s life (pictured in March)
The actor plays the star’s estranged husband Blake Fielder-Civil in the upcoming film alongside Industry’s Marisa Abela , 27, as Amy (pictured together in the film)
Amy tragically died from alcohol poisoning at the age of just 27 in July 2011, after struggling with substance abuse, mental illness and addiction (Pictured with Dad Mitch in 2006)
Jack went on to claim that he thought perhaps Amy’s dad Mitch wanted to ‘deck him’ during his visits to the set and seeing him dressed as Blake.
Blake, who was wed to the singer between 2007 and 2009, previously admitted introducing her to heroin and is seen by many of her fans as partly responsible for her untimely death.
The actor also revealed how he spent an afternoon with Amy’s former husband, now 41, while preparing for the role.
Telling the publication: ‘He was quite open. He spoke so highly of Amy. There was something so genuine in how he spoke, it was unquestionable to me that he loved her’.
Later revealing Blake’s thoughts on the movie Jack said: ‘He wasn’t overly keen, ‘cos obviously it’s going into a phase of his life that is very personal and he harbours a mixed bag of emotions’.
Last year Blake said he’d have done ‘almost everything differently’ in their relationship as he marked what would have been Amy’s 40th birthday.
Blake, who rarely gives interviews, was asked by Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard what he would have done differently. He replied: ‘Almost everything’.
He continued: ‘Its sad but I wanted to say happy birthday to Amy. It’s devastating she’s not here. I think about her all the time, I thought about her this morning when I said my happy birthday to her, she was my best friend.
Back To Black, which has been endorsed by Amy’s father Mick (played by Eddie Marsdan) has drawn outrage from the singer’s pals who slammed it for it’s ‘ghoulish’ depictions of the star’s drug addiction and also filming her funeral (Marisa pictured as Amy)
Jack (Left) went on to claim that he thought perhaps Amy’s dad Mitch wanted to ‘deck him’ during his visits to the set and seeing him dressed as Blake (Right pictured in 2007)
Blake, who was wed to the singer between 2007 and 2009, previously admitted introducing her to heroin and is seen by many of her fans as partly responsible for her death from alcohol poisoning aged just 27 in 2011 (pictured together in 2005)
‘If it wasn’t for certain factors I think it could have been a different outcome. Everything happened very quickly for Amy. We were young.’
The biopic has drawn outrage from pals, with musician Neon Hitch, branding the film ‘ridiculous’ and ‘tasteless’, saying: ‘I feel very strange. Can you please all let Amy rest?’
Friends voiced their fury with her father, after he allowed ghoulish scenes of Amy’s drugs overdose to be filmed at her old flat. Last February, Marisa was seen with an oxygen mask as she left the property in north London.
The flat is now owned by Mitch, who also features in the scene, as Eddie was seen filming alongside Marisa and other actors playing paramedics.
At the time, Amy’s friends were devastated that her father had given his permission for the flat in Camden to be used to recreate one of his daughter’s darkest moments, which took place in August 2008.
Friends voiced their fury with her father, after he allowed ghoulish scenes of Amy’s drugs overdose to be filmed at her old flat (Marisa pictured with Eddie Marsan as Mitch Winehouse)
It followed a 36-hour marathon drug-taking session, which ended with her checking in to the £10k-a-week Causeway Retreat rehabilitation centre on Osea Island, Essex.
One told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The fact that Amy’s father has said OK to a scene where she had an overdose in the flat she lived in is disgusting. It was such a personal thing and it’s so upsetting and not needed…
‘It’s like the film is reliving all the darkest moments in her life, when there were so many more amazing moments. All we’re seeing is the depressing stuff, but that’s not who she was. Mitch should be ashamed.
‘His behaviour is shocking. He didn’t know what went on or what she was like with us all during those years. Amy would really hate that they’re focusing on all the dark stuff that she went through.’
The film is released in UK cinemas April 12
