Gen Z folks will find it hard to realize how immensely huge Alanis Morissette was in the 1990s. The artist broke the mold with her look and meteoric rise to superstardom after releasing the second biggest selling album of the ’90s, Jagged Little Pill. Thanks to Bill Simmons, those unfamiliar with the artist now can take a deep look at one of music’s most influential figures with the release of Jagged, a documentary that had its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Jagged is the second entry into HBO and Bill Simmons’ Music Box series following the eye-opening Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage, and similar to the first entry, Jagged is essential viewing that offers a riveting exploration into the singer’s career. As someone born in 1986, I was at the right age to experience the singer’s rise in the ’90s. Still, Jagged highlights Morissette’s rise using interviews and footage, the documentary shifts from the norm. Rather than becoming a puff piece on the artist, director Alison Klayman sheds on the vulnerability Morissette experienced through her early career and still experiences today.
Tackling a documentary subject’s vulnerability only works if the person involved is willing and open to that type of exposure. Morissette is honest, open, and blunt as she speaks on the events of her life. What works so well with the film is that Morisette’s words show no signs of fakeness. She shows little regret regarding her career choices because, quite frankly, she knows her worth and her impact on the industry.
Some of the most surprising revelations revolved around the sexual advances from men in positions of power, which led to numerous statutory rape encounters, causing her to seek therapy. Along with that, Morissette’s battle with an eating disorder was also eye-opening as she revealed that folks in the industry found it necessary to discuss her weight rather than her music.
One of the topics of discussion that I appreciated most was when Morissette was asked if she ever thought of having an all-female backup band during her 90’s run. Morissette’s reasoning is sure to stir conversation and will surprise people, but it adds to the film’s overall effectiveness because she holds nothing back.
When it comes to the actual look at the impact of her music on the culture, the film shines a light on the cross-gender influence the album had. Man or woman, there was at least one song on Jagged Little Pill that resonated with you. The album and her rise allowed female voices to be heard in the industry that still resonates to this day, and much of that credit is due to Alanis. It reminds me of the concept of 1989’s Batman, there were others before it, but that film showed studios that comic book films could be marketed to succeed. The same can be said about Alanis and Jagged Little Pill.
Thanks to Morissette’s infectiously charming personality and honesty, Jagged is a great watch that will open new eyes to an incredible career and human being that many may have yet to discover.
