The Runaways

Image: Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, Courtesy of E1 Entertainment

Writer/Dir: Floria Sigismondi - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Stella Maeve, Alia Shawkat, Scout Taylor-Compton, Riley Keough
USA, 2010

Reason to see: Biopic on the band The Runaways starring Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning? You couldn't keep me away.

The moment images from The Runaways started popping up online, I had a feeling we were headed for a good ride. I know looks aren't everything, but a film that's willing to be authentic on the mullet like hair has got the guts to go far. The Runaways has got guts. They go for it. I love how it didn't gloss over anything. Things what would be messy were messy, what you'd expect to be dirty was dirty. Of course there is fair share of glitzy and gloss - where it should be, like on stage, but it doesn't shy away from the gritty realities. It feels like a really honest take on things, sure there are frustrations and barriers of being an the first all-girl band of it's kind, but it also embraces the franticness of life at the time.

With the film being based on a book by Cherie Currie and executive produced by Joan Jett, you have to feel confident that the film presents an honest vision from the biographical point of view. One of the things I love about it is that it doesn't shy away from the flaws of life, that how even with the best of intentions, life can run it's own course and throw you curve balls along the way. People reactions can be different to the curve balls, because everyone is different. In a lot of ways it's a beautiful tale of persistence, resilience and what you can do if you've got drive.

The casting is genius, having two talented women in the forefront with Kristen Stewart (Twilight) playing Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning (The Twilight Saga: New Moon) as Cherie Currie, who make up two of the core members of the rock band this biopic film follows. Both provide stellar performances. I'm continued to be impressed with Kristen Stewart, whose roster of films keeps getting more and more varied providing us with strong performances every step of the way. Dakota Fanning is amazing in the role of Cherie, providing a stunning performance of a character which a range from drive to vulnerable to everything in between. Together they make up the heart and human connection in the film, we see their friendship grow over time and they also showcases how the same journey can taken yet received so differently by different people. Michael Shannon is also a shining star in the film, in a very memorable performance of the supporting character Kim Fowley.

Overall, it's a keeper. I'm already looking forward to seeing it again. It's a great story with strong performances and fantastic music to rock the house.

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go listen to Crimson and Clover one more time....

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I'll buy it
I highly recommend it

See also: The Runaways DVD Review

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© Shannon Ridler, 2010