Film
Bad Reputation
- Director
- Kevin Kerslake
- Certificate
- 15
- Running Time
- 94 mins
Taking its title from her first solo album, released back in 1981 (this had two Gary Glitter covers on it, but we don’t talk about that now), this rock doc about the great Joan Jett has had mixed reviews, with some complaints that it’s a little airbrushed and avoids going into the dark places that Jett’s fellow former Runaways have been eager to discuss.
Jett herself remains indisputably great, however, acting as a DIY mentor to younger acts, especially female rockers. (She formed her own label after multiple record companies rejected her demo. Four of the five songs on it subsequently became hits.) Her social activism – including support for PETA and LGBT rights – is also covered. But her own sexuality, about which there has been much discussion, goes unaddressed because director Kevin Kerslake neglects to ask her about it. Interviewees include Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Billie Joe Armstrong, Pete Townshend, Ian MacKaye and Michael J. Fox.
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