Dig, if you will, a captivating glimpse into Ezra Edelman’s extensive nine-hour documentary dedicated to Prince — a complex and enigmatic artist whose masterpiece may remain forever hidden from public view.
Listen to this article, read by Janina Edwards
It’s 1984, and Prince stands on the brink of superstardom with the imminent release of “Purple Rain,” an album destined to redefine the boundaries of pop music in ways we had yet to comprehend. During the creative process of his iconic track “When Doves Cry,” sound engineer Peggy McCreary, who was among the many talented female engineers he collaborated with, recalls the electric atmosphere of a two-day marathon recording session. The studio was alive with a rich tapestry of sound — piercing guitars, pulsating keyboards, and a multi-layered choir of harmonizing Princes. This rich, maximalist approach was only achievable by someone like Prince, a virtuoso who mastered virtually every musical instrument imaginable. Yet, amidst this sonic exuberance, something felt amiss. In the early hours, around 5 or 6 AM, Prince discovered the answer: he began to strip elements away. He eliminated the guitar solo, the keyboard, and then made his boldest decision: he removed the bass line entirely. McCreary vividly remembers him proclaiming, “Ain’t nobody gonna believe I did that.” In that moment, he understood the brilliance of his creation. The song transformed into an anthem, achieving platinum status and cementing its place in music history.
The documentary then delves into the roots of Prince’s extraordinary talent, tracing its development alongside his intense yearning for acknowledgment. His sister, Tyka Nelson, characterized by her distinctive owlish eyes and vibrant pink and purple streaked hair, shares her memories onscreen. She recounts the turbulent violence that plagued their childhood home, detailing how their father, a musician himself, would change faces when he struck their mother. The anger he directed towards his son, who inherited his stage name, Prince, was both a gift and a heavy burden. It served as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made for his children’s well-being, sacrifices that forced him to abandon his own musical aspirations. Prince often risked punishment by sneaking over to the piano, tinkering with the keys — a son already on a quest to surpass his father, whose love was as volatile as his temper.
Next, we encounter Jill Jones, one of the many muses and romantic partners who entered Prince’s orbit. Her testimony is among the most heart-wrenching in the film, revealing a side of the artist that many fans would prefer to ignore. One fateful night in 1984, she and a friend visited Prince at a hotel, only to witness Prince kissing her friend. Consumed by jealousy, Jones slapped him. In a sudden fit of rage, he retaliated, striking her repeatedly. She recounts his cold words: “Bitch, this ain’t no [expletive] movie.” The altercation was violent, leaving her shaken. Although she considered pressing charges, Prince’s manager insisted that it would destroy his career, leading her to back down. Despite the tumult, she still harbored feelings for him, staying in his life for many more years. Even three decades later, as she recounts this painful episode, her anger remains palpable, reflecting the lasting emotional scars of their tumultuous relationship.
Following this, we witness the momentous premiere of “Purple Rain,” the film that would later earn the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score in 1985. Prince’s tour manager, Alan Leeds, recalls riding in the back of a limousine with him en route to the ceremony. One of Prince’s bodyguards turned to him, exclaiming, “This is going to be the biggest day of your life! They say every star in town is there!” In that moment, Prince, gripped by fear, clutched Leeds’s hand, trembling. But then, as Leeds narrates, an internal switch flipped, and Prince steadied himself. His eyes hardened with determination. “That was it,” Leeds reflects. “But for maybe 10 seconds, he completely lost it. And I loved it. Because it showed he was human!” The scene shifts to reveal Prince stepping out of the limo, adorned in an iridescent purple trench coat over a creamy ruffled collar, his black curls artfully styled. He struts down the red carpet, twirling a flower, exuding an air of confidence and regal poise, embodying the very essence of a star.
