The short life of Amy Winehouse remains one of the most fascinating cautionary tales of the early 21st century.

Winehouse burst onto the music scene as one of the truly unique voices, culminating in the wildly successful “Back to Black” album in 2006. But Winehouse battled substance abuse and a turbulent relationship five years after her career pinnacle and died at the age of 27.

Now her tragic tale is revisited in the new film named after her most famous work. Unfortunately, this “Back to Black” doesn’t do justice to its very talented subject. This rather pedestrian bio pic only scratches the surface of Winehouse’s troubled life.

It’s an ordinary film about an extraordinary talent.

“Back to Black” follows Winehouse’s career from right before she was signed to a major label to her death in 2011. Most of the film’s focus centers around Winehouse (Marisa Abela) and a relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil (Jake O’Connell), who served as both her inspiration and perhaps led to her downfall. (One of the films many flaws is that it tries unsuccessfully to be objectively blameless).

“Black” hits career highlights, sometimes a little too quickly, and the low lights of her fame – the constant attention from paparazzi – and her eventual death due to alcohol poisoning.

There’s really nothing in “Back to Black” that an audience can’t see in the way superior 2015 Oscar-winning documentary “Amy.” That film felt like a way more intimate portrait of the singer – using home videos and archive footage in a way that it felt like Winehouse was telling her story from the grave.

“Back to Black” seems to be more focused on checking off all the boxes on the bio picture handbook – with director Sam Taylor-Johnson glossing over Winehouse’s drug addiction, her battle with depression and an abusive relationship to the point that it borders on insulting Winehouse’s legacy.

This is the kind of movie where every traumatic event is followed by a musical montage that usually ends with Winehouse getting a new tattoo (perhaps the best this film could do with character development).

Abela does give a stirring performance as Winehouse, effectively capturing the singer’s dynamic personality that made her such a fascinating enigma. There’s really not much support, however, with O’ Connell and Eddie Marsan, as Winehouse’s father, mostly wasted in their respective roles.

It all adds up to one of the most disappointing cinematic experiences of 2024 to date. Winehouse and her fans deserve way better than what “Back to Black” delivers.

Starring: Marisa Abela, Eddie Marsan

Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Rating: R for drug use, language throughout, sexual content and nudity

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12

Grade: C-