There was no bigger star than Alanis Morissette by the end of 1995. Her album Jagged Little Pill had been released in the summer – it would go on to sell 33 million copies, becoming one of the best-selling albums in history. It seemed like everyone had the CD. And at the center of her own hurricane, the 21 year old Canadian seemed to light a fuse that would result in an explosion of female artists who would also become household names: Paula Cole, Joann Osborne and fellow Canadian Sarah McLachlan among them.
The excellent new documentary Jagged looks back at that time through the eyes of a Morissette who is now a Mom in her late 40s. Combining abundant archival footage and insightful present day interviews, director Alison Klayman has assembled a good story that is so well told that one need not be a fan to find the film a fun view (confession: I bought the album just like everyone else, but I was never a big fan).
In case you forgot that Morissette had briefly been a sort of Canadian Debbie Gibson, Klayman brings back clips of the then teenaged TV performer, trademark dimples and all. She was a pop star back then, but of course, it’s the fiery, edgy Alanis who inspired millions of girls and made history. Seeing her in that context from 25 years later makes you admire her – the backstage footage which glimpses into the pressures she was under, as well as the road family she led with the bros in her all male band, makes one marvel how she had her shit together far beyond expectations of the average 21 year old.
In the present day Alanis interviews, we see a super Zen earth mother, legs crossed, voice steady, answers cogent and thoughtful. For that reason, it is a mystery that she vowed not to promote the film, based on early cuts which she said made her feel betrayed by Klayman, and that this is not the film she signed up for. I cannot fathom what her objections are (so far Morissette hasn’t been more specific than this).
Jagged is a worthy episode of the really great Music Box series of docs on HBO Max, which has included enlightening Rick James installment and a disturbing Woodstock ’99 exposé ,among others. It’s now streaming on HBO/HBO Max
