Christopher Long Show Biz Guru: MOVIE REVIEW: Joan Jett

MOVIE REVIEW

Joan Jett

Bad Reputation

Documentary ‧ 1hr 33min

Release Date 9.28.18

(BMG / Blackheart Films)

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After 40+ years in the

music biz, Joan Jett has

become an iconic, all-

American brand. I

guess her reputation

ain't so bad after all.

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Details regarding this much-anticipated bio pic first were revealed onstage during Joan Jett's 2018 summer concert tour supporting classic rock stalwart, Styx. My interest was piqued immediately. However, despite my acknowledged obsessive passion for the iconic singer / songwriter / guitarist, the film somehow eluded me when it was released a year ago. In fact, I didn't finally discover it (on Amazon Prime) until last night. Was it worth the wait?

Directed by Kevin Kerslake, Bad Reputation is the compelling life story of rock trailblazer Joan Jett— from her earliest memories of receiving her first guitar as a little girl to her groundbreaking days as the co-founder of the Runaways in the '70s to her platinum-selling breakout success as a solo artist in the '80s to her 2015 Rock and Roll Hall Fame induction and beyond.

But offering more than heart-stopping recollections of rock and roll access and heart-breaking revelations of overcoming career obstacles, Bad Reputation is a heart-warming account of Jett's longtime relationship with creative and business partner, acclaimed songwriter, producer and manager, Kenny Laguna.

Jett's story is enhanced through the personal insights provided by those who know her best — past and present bandmates, including Cherie Currie, Gary Ryan and Thommy Price, rock legends, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry and a host of others, as well as such current chart-busters as Billy Joe Armstrong and Miley Cyrus. Along the way, Hollywood stars Kristen Stewart and Michael J. Fox also reflect on their experiences of working with the rock superstar.

The Bad Reputation WOW factor amps-up further through often never-before-seen, high-energy live concert footage of Jett as a solo artist as well as with the Runaways.

All in all, Kerslake does an impressive job of recreating Jett's story. Although I'm not sure how I managed to miss the film for a year, I'm sure glad I finally experienced it. Well worth the wait, indeed!

-Christopher Long
(September 2019)

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