A mini-movie review: The Runaways (2010)

The Runaways (2010)

Director - Floria Sigismondi
106 Min; R
Cast
Kristen Stewart - Joan Jett
Dakota Fanning - Cherie Curry
Michael Shannon - Kim Fowley


It would be difficult to find anybody over the age of 21 who hasn't heard the classic song I Love Rock and Roll, made famous in 1982 by Joan Jett. Not everyone knows, however, that her career began 7 years earlier as a teenager when she met rock producer Kim Fowley and together they formed the 'world's first all-girl rock band' - The Runaways. This film is a look at the band and their success and struggles, but it is not an entirely fleshed-out piece, and therein lies some of the problems which keep this film from crossing over to something really special.

Kristen Stewart nails her role as a young Joan Jett. I am not a rock historian, but I have seen and heard enough to know what a young Joan Jett was like, and Stewart is simply wonderful. She sings her own parts and has all the correct mannerisms. Dakota Fanning is brought in as Cherie Curry, the 15 year old 'jailbait' lead singer who seemingly has only one reason for being in the band (slimey producer Kim Fowley played by Michael Shannon wants her to makes guys want her.) Together with other members of the band they embark on a world of rock and roll and the obligatory sex and drugs. And there is a lot of sex and drugs. In the end Curry leaves the band mainly due to the lifestyle.

I leave out the other members of the cast intentionally, for this film focuses almost soley on Jett, Curry and Fowley, and it is too bad because I would have loved to see more of the group dynamic. The film is based on Currie's 1989 biography of the band and due to bad blood between some members, well, let's just say there is a long backstory you can look up to see why, but ultimately this is Curry's story as a young girl thrust into the limelight and the incredibly driven young Jett who wants to be a rock star. We only see Curry's backstory and homelife, never getting even a glimpse into the other member's worlds.

I liked this film a lot. The acting was very good and the story was entertaining, but it definitely lacked any teeth and completely leaves out so much possible story. A former member of the band Vicki Blue made a documentary called Edgeplay (on netflix instant) which I plan to see soon, that is basically a more direct piece about the days of the band (Jett refused to take part.) I admit that after seeing this film I am incredinly interested in learning more and plan to read up quite a bit, and I think you will find it interesting as well.

*** and a half out of 5