Nothing Compares

Being ahead of one's time can be a dual-edged sword. On the plus side, it can get you noticed. And, on the downside, it can get you noticed, but not necessarily in a positive light. Such was the experience of Irish pop star Sinead O'Connor, who exploded on the music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The musical sensation became known for one of the most distinctive set of pipes in the business, with an ability to jump octaves in a single bound and to be able to go from a soft whisper to a banshee scream at the drop of a hat. But, as director Kathryn Ferguson's new Showtime documentary illustrates, O'Connor underwent a fall from grace that unfolded almost as quickly as her stratospheric rise, a change driven by a string of unpopular public protests against the Roman Catholic Church, American and Irish government policies, and cultural practices that ran afoul of her views about militarism, abortion rights and other hot button issues. She became a pariah, unable to get airplay for her new music and even facing death threats. Her gestures were seen as acts of career suicide, none of which fazed her, given that she couldn't in good conscience stay silent. But, as she faded into obscurity, her views gained ground, eventually leading to changes in line with those opinions. Indeed, she truly was ahead of her time, and this film examines that history in detail through archive footage, interviews with the artist and observations from those who knew her during her meteoric rise, her subsequent fall and her resurgence as both a performer and social activist. And, as the film capably shows, in the end, nothing truly compares to her.

Nothing Compares (2022) by Kathryn Ferguson is beautifully crafted tribute to one of the most iconic singers of my generation. Sinead's story is both epic, tragic as well deeply inspiring and the director here captured the true value and respect she so rightly deserves. The film gives us a greatly balance montage of performances by Sinead and the political environment surrounding her career and whether you are new to Sinead's work or a lifelong fan honestly i'd say this is a film to see. If you are gonna see one doc this year let it be this one. It's certainly has revitalised my interest in Sinead and well frankly I am in awe of her bravery and passion. Well done to the director, I look forward to her future projects, I know they will be equally as worthy. 8 0ut 10.

As someone who grew up as a teenager in Ireland during the time period that is the focus of this film, even 15 year old me had a hint of awareness that SOC was possibly the victim of a society, that just wasn't ready or willing to face up to the reality of the issues she shone a light on, both in our own country and further afield.

What this film does is show the world that the things she did weren't some random acts of self-sabotage, or even worse, publicity stunts to prop up her career. She used the global platform she had to speak up for those who could not be heard, to give them a voice when nobody was listening. She didn't do this at the expense of her career as she was so publicly derided for, this was exactly what she was put on this planet to do. Music and art were the platforms that enabled her do it and she did it in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

The problem for Sinead was that she was so far ahead of her time, living in a time when thou dare not speak truth to power, in a world where social media platforms and hashtag movements didn't exist. If there was anybody in her corner, we simply didn't know about it at the time as they too had no voice. The world's media simply constructed the version of Sinead they wanted us to see.

It's a beautifully immersive film that in time I think will really vindicate a genuine social justice warrior in the court of public opinion.

And about time too.

She deserves it.

Haven't been a big Sinnead fan, I never followed her "controversy" over the years - but I did notice her desperate Facebook appeals a few years back. It's hard really to even begin sharing my impressions, so let's just say (after many others) this documentary is a fitting tribute to an remarkable woman who glows. She obviously never wished to be a "pop star", and her artistic expression achieved what it was intended for, to not only be therapeutic but keep her alive. That she did become a pop star and an icon was inevitable - she is captivating - an epitome of sincerity and compassion, wrapped in beauty - and it's tremendously sad her struggle intensified over the years. This is, however, to be expected with complex post-traumatic stress being left untreated, and the abuse she suffered on from the patriarchy-enslaved public. We can't begin to fathom either what it was to tear the main image of it, the Pope, or to suffer the backlash. A recent crucifiction of a woman by the inane patriarchy fan boys and girls is the Amber Heard trial, so the heartbreaking fact is that nothing's changed - and the only means of instant emancipation of a woman is simply to be vocal. To scream if necessary. Would feminist icons like Gaga and others be possible today if not for Sinnead? We can't speculate, but it's clear she was the first. It's encouraging to know that the climate in Ireland has also changed.

The boys are simply terrified, and likely due to inept mothers like Sinnead's - and these mothers, and women in general who have operated themselves from compassion in awe of patriarchy, bear the guilt. It's symptomatic that a woman on TV, Sinnead's accuser, said angrily that child abuse in her case had been justified.

I see that Sinnead was quick to be deemed bipolar by dubious psychiatrists, which was later reversed, and she's now branded "borderline". Current psychology, however, tends to summon all Cluster B disorders under the umbrella of CPTSD. And that's curable through mere compassion, support, and a feeling of safety. Her big heart is what's kept Sinnead sane, and she IS saner than anyone who tries to cover child abuse. Let's say the majority of the music business, not to mention the Catholic church.

Big kudos to Kris Kristofferson... Sinnead's first husband also speaks of her with such warmth. It makes me happy that these filmmakers have made the steps to reinstate a true icon.

I see she's recently written an autobiography, described as "full of heart, humour and remarkable generosity", and she has an album coming. She is still OUT THERE. How many of us have dared?!... "Thank you for breaking my heart and making it stronger."

Originally premiered back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. As if writing now, I can't believe I missed this one when I attended the virtual festival back in January 2022.

Nothing Compares is directed by Kathryn Ferguson and it's a story about the five year period of singer and songwriter Sinead O'Connor and all the things happening to her around that time period. I had recently enjoyed some of her songs and her musical style. I really like her song Nothing Compares 2 U, Mandinka, and so on and so on. This documentary is really well informed and has really interesting editing choices. Ferguson includes voice overs from various people who knew O'Connor and O'Connor herself while presenting old footage and creative made up scenes to capture the tone of O'Connor's career, past life, and the controversial times she was in. It doesn't just focus on her music but it also explores about her past trauma with the Catholic church, her parents, politics, religion and many others aspects. Because of these topics, it really helped to sell this documentary to heart and becomes really touching.

Very informative and emotional at times. I knew about Sinead O'Connor before seeing this documentary and reading and listening about her experiences and troubles she was facing, I really do feel bad for her at times especially some of the more recent events that had happened to her. I was able to connect with this documentary very well and learned a lot more then I expected it. Surprisingly, there were some fault with the sound design as some moments felt they had a weird echoing effect in the back ground. Strangely, the main song "Nothing Compares 2 U" didn't appear in this documentary due to copyright issues I have to assume. Weird, but it felt missing.

Overall, a really well informed and at times depressing documentary about Sinead O'Connor.

Rating: A-