The Runaways
Directed by: Floria Sigismondi Cast: Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins Rating: R Release Date: March 19, 2010 (Chicago)
PLOT: Rebellious teenagers Joan (Stewart) and Cherie (Fanning) lead the world of punk rock with their all-female group The Runaways.
WHO'S IT FOR?: Fans of the actual band might be curious to see their heroes' story retold, and I’m sure all of-age Twilight fans are already in line to check out another Stewart role which isn’t named Bella.
EXPECTATIONS: Outside of their connection with Joan Jett, I did not know much about The Runaways in a historical context. I expected this to change, but was hoping that it would be accomplished with a movie about a band that stands out from the rest.
SCORECARD (0-10)
ACTORS:
Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie: It is impossible to look at this performance outside of the context of others in her career. Here, the young actress goes very self-consciously wild on her audience, and continues her odd demand for us to watch her sexually mature on screen. She's most impressive when screaming "Cherrybomb!", but Fanning still doesn't know what to do with her audience once she has their attention. Score: 5
Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett: Stewart looks legitimate with a guitar, and pulls off the onstage snarl of Joan Jett well. The other elements of acting are still a bit more challenging for Stewart, as she only sounds the most involved with her work when she's going on a large f-bomb tirade, something that is easier to perform than a sincere dramatic moment. Stewart's got the rage down, now she needs to level off and resemble something more human. Score: 5
Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley: The eccentric Kim Fowley is brought to life by a flamboyant performance from the man you might recognize from Revolutionary Road. Totally bonkers but possibly onto something when it comes to image, Fowley is given an enthusiastically wild performance by Shannon who could use this footage for an audition tape to be the next Joker. Score: 6
TALKING: The film is not about the band, but just Currie and Jett. The other band members barely say anything – they might as well be mute. When trying to inspire the girls, Fowley barks encouragements that could later stand as mottos for the foundation of girl punk. Score: 3
SIGHTS: Punk rock is an unglamorous game, and this movie captures that attitude with a plethora of gross moments that involve drug usage, urination, dog feces, etc. Equally jarring is the fact that here's another movie with Iggy Pop's "I Want To Be Your Dog" played during a slow motion drug sequence, bathed in red color. Score: 4
SOUNDS: For a movie with girls huffing glue, kissing each other, and pissing on guitars, the most ass-kicking element is its soundtrack. With a mix of songs rocked by Fanning, Stewart, or the actual performers, it is bound to open up listeners to the music of the Runaways and Joan Jett. Still, music should be a foundation for its cinematic representative, not its strongest aspect. Score: 4
PLOT SPOILERS
BEST SCENE: The edginess and popularity of the band is fully comprehensive during the performance of “Cherrybomb” in Japan. Fanning and Stewart are at the top of their game in bringing their respective rock personalities to life.
ENDING: Although this is a movie titled The Runaways, and Cherie is its primary protagonist, does the name Joan Jett sound most familiar? Yeah, thought so.
QUESTIONS: The movie is unclear on the scope of the Runaways’ success. Just how popular were they in America?
REWATCHABILITY: I could see myself renting this when it comes out, if just to see the on-stage performances once more.
OVERALL
The Runaways are nothing special; they had problems just like any other band ever formed does. That’s the feeling I get from their own film, which is handled like most other movies that tell about musicians who indulge in self-destructive habits only to A.) Burn out or B.) Start up something else. The movie earns some flare from its two leading performances, as the whole “youth in revolt” aspect of casting Bella from Twilight and Dakota Fanning is unavoidable, especially when the two destroy everything in their sight in their attempts to being taken seriously as actors. But this backfires, and the characters become brats that just need to grow up. With a script so focused on the girls’ drug taking, lip-locking, and not their rocking, maybe the film should follow suit.
FINAL SCORE: 4/10