I realize this review/promo is a little delayed, but I wanted to do a blurb on Floria Sigismondi’s movie The Runaways. This band…this story is very personal to me. I’ve been an avid Joan Jett fan since I probably was 10 and figure out that my dad had an awesome record collection.

My love only grew as I angstily stumbled through my teenage years. That’s when I really started getting into Jett’s early band, The Runaways. They personified the anger and confusion I felt. Plus it made me feel like a semi-rebel when I told people I listened to them. When you’re in high school, appearance is everything….which only enhances the symbolism that The Runaway’s story holds….it becomes both ironic AND cliché.

The Runaways were the first girls who rocked. They were the lonely females in a man’s world and basically took the lynching for the rest of us. Without The Runaways….there would be no Go-Gos, no Donnas, no Dresden Dolls….and it would have been much harder for everyone from Britney to Lady Gaga.   

They broke down all the stereotypes….leading a feminist revolt in the music industry. They pushed every boundary set for them:  age, gender, sexual orientation….they tore every one down in a mixture of fiery power chords and rebel yells.

The Runaways were ALSO the first teenaged girls to be drug hyped and sexually exploited into stardom. (sadly this has not ended, but as a whole we’ve become more aware of this serious issue)

And despite the lasting impact they had on rock ‘n roll music, the actual story of The Runaways is quite tragic. To me, these girls were martyrs for the religion of female rock. They were tortured, persecuted, and driven to a premature death….and despite it….they are barely remembered. While almost anyone can karaoke “I love rock and roll” after a few beers….most people my age have never even heard of The Runaways.

(I highly suggest reading “Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherrie Currie to get an accurate recount of the real story behind The Runaways)

This is why I was so very excited for this movie to be made. I usually don’t enjoy biopics about musicians...(I feel like there is always something lacking in cinematically telling the story of a musician,) but to me this was a chance for people to know about The Runaways. Know who Cherrie Currie was and listen to her story. Learn from it. And maybe finally give her and the rest of The Runaways the recognition they deserved.

I went and saw this movie the first weekend it was out (despite the serious cock-blocking its been receiving in release). I will say that while it didn’t live up to my every hope and desire….it was a bold and acceptable attempt.

Floria Sigismondi is best known for her music videos for the likes of The Cure, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, Muse, Christian Aguilera, etc. I personally have no balks about her direction of this movie. I would say that her music video upbringing only helped her tell this story.  She understands music and how to direct it…very well. The performance pieces of this film were definitely the highlight.

However, I will say that the script could have been a hell of a lot better. Even me, being someone who knew all about The Runaways prior, had trouble keeping up and understanding what was going on. This is why biopics are hard. To tell the story of someone’s life in 2 hours can never happen. No matter how good of a writer you are….important things WILL be left out and overlooked. And THAT is the major flaw of this film.

Way too many important events are left out or fused together and essential feelings get overlooked and written off.

As a whole, the R-rated shock value of this movie helps this 'lack of full-explaination" flaw. 

Michael Shannon screaming at 15 year old girls to “think with their cocks” is rather unsettling…..as the story of The Runaway’s should be. It should make you feel dirty and like you are watching something horribly wrong.

Shannon hits dead on with his portrayal of music business legend, Kim Fowley. People who have seen old interviews of him will definitely be thoroughly creeped out at the resemblance.

There was A LOT of hype for Dakota Fanning as Currie. And while I still believe Fanning is the most talented actress of her generation….something seemed to be lacking. People who know very much about Currie will be disappointed with the lack of “MoJo” that Fanning can’t seem to muster up. Granted Fanning is only 15, but so was Currie at the time.

While Currie always seemed like a (cherry)bomb about ready to explode, Fanning brought a more quiet, inner demise to the role….looking distant and annoyed most of the time. Her rebellion felt more like that of a millennial emo kid than that of a 70’s cocaine addicted, sexually abused, rock star.

Fanning does shine though….almost nailing the look and performances exactly. I also applauded her effort in tackling the role to begin with. She’s certainly gotten backlash…for depicting events I wouldn’t have even thought about doing at 15. But Fanning’s maturity is way beyond that of a 15 year old. THAT is obvious given her devotion to accurately portraying this tragic life. To call on David Bowie, “she is quite aware of what she is going through.”

Kristen Stewart. Kristen Stewart. Joan Jett could not have played a better Joan Jett.

Now I understand that Kristen Stewart is no Meryl Streep, but she nailed this role.  And definitely proved that her acting abilities will one day outshine the biggest tragedy of her career…(also known as Twilight.)  For all the reasons that Fanning couldn’t quite “get it up” for Currie….the same reasons are what gave Stewart the edge on this character. 

Stewart IS Jett….if it was just method acting….then props, but it was almost scary how much Stewart looked, acted, and sounded like Jett. Jett was known for projecting badass-ness on this world....hiding the fact that she had the same scared, insecure teenage girl inside her that ALL girls at that age have.

Stewart seems to have this same demeanor going for her. She is one of the biggest stars on this planet right now….but one look at her and you can tell she’s has to pep-talk herself into being “ok” every morning. The pressure of being judged is enough to drive her to rebellious extremes. Jett was the same way….”fuck um all….before they fuck you.”

Both girls do an excellent job in playing out the complex relationship of Jett and Currie. The media seemed to think that calling it a lesbian-love would somehow draw more press….and yes, yes it did, but that is not what their relationship was about. It was about the love that you feel for the first person that understands you and the first person who uses that understanding to destroy you. When you’re a teenager this love is both the most exhilarating and most painful thing in your life. Its not about sex….its about passion.

Overall I would say this movie is good. Lacking in many areas, but it still has enough indie–uhmp to carry it into being a cult hit. This film has received a lot of great reviews (somewhat to my surprise) and I am very glad. While it will probably not do much at the box office….i hope that it will at least become a movie that most people will eventually see. (dvd, tv, or otherwise)

The Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of The Runaways you will not be disappointed. If you’ve never heard of them….it probably won’t mean much to you.

My Advice: Go see it....if you live somewhere that actually has it. 

The Runaways: 7/10 

and here's the music video for "Cherry Bomb".....awesome!