IT’S NO SECRET the Runaways were a band that got a startling amount of mileage out of just a handful of songs, along with a manufactured jailbait mystique. While music biopics are often aimed at the heavy hitters on the Billboard charts—Ray, The Doors, Dylan six times over in I’m Not There—a film dedicated to a short-lived, all-girl act that was equal parts inspiration and novelty seems like little more than an excuse for creepy film executives to perv out on Dakota Fanning in a tube top.
But if you can overlook more than a few heavy-handed clichés, you’ll discover The Runaways to be a fine coming-of-age film that offers a welcomingly realistic look at the brief spark and fade of five teenage girls and their short-run at fame. Set to a mid-’70s score, The Runaways follows a teenaged Cherie Currie (Fanning) and Joan Jett (Twilight‘s stupid lamb AKA Kristen Stewart). The girls’ boring suburban lives of huffing and hanging at the Pup ‘N’ Fries take a different direction when they team up with the ranting Kim Fowley (Revolutionary Road‘s Michael Shannon). He sticks them into a practice space, along with Sandy West (Stella Maeve), Lita Ford (Scout Taylor-Compton), and a fictitious bassist named “Robin” (Alia Shawkat—apparently real-life Runaway Jackie Fox wanted no part of this), then the Svengali-like Fowley berates them until they become famous.
Fame comes quick, as does the obligatory drug use, in-studio fights, veiled lesbianism, plus more than a few aforementioned clichés scattered about (after an uptight male guitar instructor informs Jett that “girls don’t play electric guitars,” we hear “It’s a Man’s World”). But ultimately the film’s saving grace is its focus on the relationship between Currie and her confidante and occasional protector, Jett. Their story makes The Runaways a welcome relief from the expected crash and burn of the rock biopic genre.
This film might be watchable, but is completely ruined by the fact that it has a Twilight taint to it. Plus, by the reviewer’s own admission, there seems to be little purpose to seeing this other then “perving out” over a post-pubescent Dakota Fanning in skimpy clothes. Creepy.
Unless you’re just a hardcore Runaways/Jett fan, you should probably pass on this one.
I disagree. I thought it was a great movie and I am a hardcore Jett/Runaways fan. You just have to get over the fact that Kristen Stewart was in Twilight. Obviously, she can play a number of different roles. I was surprised that she did so well.
Yeah, ain’t nothing wrong with Kristen Stewart. True, she’s awful in Twilight, but everyone’s awful in those; she was just fine in Adventureland and Into the Wild.
True. It’s not as if i think The Runaways totally stinks. I kinda want to see it, i just don’t want to pay for it. I have friends who’re big Jett fans though – i’ll just wait ’til the dvd & likely one of them will buy/rent it.
“Plus, by the reviewer’s own admission, there seems to be little purpose to seeing this other then “perving out” over a post-pubescent Dakota Fanning in skimpy clothes. Creepy. “
…BUT wasn’t that the purpose behind The Runaways in the first place?
The last time i saw Dakota Fanning (real name?) in a film, she couldn’t have been more than 10. So kinda creepy, yeah.
I hated this movie! I didn’t think there was much of a plot, character development or anything OTHER than Dakota Fanning in great costumes that made me feel creepy because she’s 15! Twilight girl looks a lot like Joan Jett but in my opinion thats where the similarities end. She is not and can not pull off being a punk.
“…BUT wasn’t that the purpose behind The Runaways in the first place?”
What what WHAAAAT?!?
And I thought “Cherry Bomb” was a song about how much girls like portable explosives!
Jeez
Sorry but you people need to get over the whole ‘Twilight’ thing. Its just a movie. If you don’t like it fine but to let it taint every single one of their future movies? Immature and closed minded! The Runaways rocked.. you all are missing out. Kristen blew me away as Joan.