Bad Reputation

Bad Reputation is a 2018 American documentary film about the life of rock 'n' roll legend Joan Jett, directed by Kevin Kerslake and written by Joel Marcus. The film features interviews and appearances by a variety of personalities, with prominent figures such as David Bowie, Billy Joe Armstrong, Iggy Pop, Kristen Stewart, and Debbie Harry contributing their insights about Joan Jett's iconic career and the impact she had on the music industry. This comprehensive biography recounts Jett's storied career from her early starts in the groundbreaking all-girl band The Runaways through her establishment of Blackheart Records, her collaborations with The Sex Pistols, and her rise as a solo artist ultimately leading to her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The film opens with Jett's humble beginnings in a middle-class household where she developed her interest in music. It chronicles the struggles and successes of a young woman who dared to break into the male-dominated rock 'n' roll world, shattering stereotypes along her path. Offering intimate glimpses of the young artist's career, Kerslake skillfully uses a mix of old and new interviews, concert footage, and personal photos.

The documentary's title, Bad Reputation, perfectly encapsulates Jett's unapologetic, rebellious spirit. Acknowledged as a symbol of female empowerment in the music industry, Jett's bad-girl image combined with her relentless pursuit of her passions and her trailblazing role in rock music, makes her an unforgettable figure in pop culture.

Bad Reputation pays particular attention to Jett's establishment of Blackheart Records after being turned down by 23 major record labels—an endeavor that marked her as one of the first female artists to start her own label. Through Blackheart Records, Jett released 'I Love Rock 'n Roll,' a song that turned her into an international superstar virtually overnight. Yet, the film does not shy away from the struggles and controversies that have also marked Jett's career, such as the disbanding of The Runaways under controversial circumstances and the challenges faced by her record label.

Throughout the film, Jett's long-time producer and songwriting partner, Kenny Laguna, also plays an essential part. His anecdotes serve not only to navigate viewers through key moments in her career but also provide an intimate insight into their creative partnership over the decades.

Highlighted as well are testimonies from various artists and industry experts who admire Jett for her ground-breaking work as a female musician in a male-dominated industry. These cameo appearances by stars such as David Bowie and Debbie Harry offer a testament to Jett's influence on rock 'n' roll music and her lasting legacy in the music world.

Weaving together the soundtrack of Jett's life, the film catalogues her timeless hits, from "Cherry Bomb" to "I Love Rock n' Roll" to "Bad Reputation", in an auditory journey through her career. The film serves up a cacophony of guitar riffs and raw vocals which defined Jett's style and influenced generations of rock musicians.

In true documentary style, the filmmakers give equal airtime to her personal and professional life, as the camera often cuts from the stage to reveal a softer, more vulnerable side of Jett. The film effectively uncovers the complexities and contradictions within the bad-girl, rock 'n' roller image, and reveals a picture of an artist who is both uncompromising in her pursuit of her vision yet vulnerable in her dedication to her craft and her audience.

Bad Reputation delivers an engaging journey, peppered with nostalgia, music, and reflections on a woman who was way ahead of her time. It offers up a nostalgic, yet fresh perspective on Joan Jett's career, her influence on rock music, and her ongoing status as a feminist icon and musician par excellence. Although this is unquestionably a tribute to Jett, it also serves as a love letter to free-thinking women everywhere, who've dared to strum their guitar strings, raise their voices, and leave an indelible, reverberating impression on the world.

In totality, Bad Reputation is a must-watch for all music enthusiasts, especially rock 'n' roll fans, and for anyone seeking a true story of resilience, rebellion, and the unrelenting pursuit of one's passions. It paints a vivid, raw, and honest picture of the challenges, victories, and the legacy of one of the most influential women in rock history, Joan Jett.