"Look at her, 16 years old and she's already a creep." That's what The Runaways band manager Kim Fowley once said of lead vocalist Cherie Currie. When she was only 15, Fowley and his guitar prodigy Joan Jett, approached Cherie in a club, told her he loved her look, and asked her if she wanted to perform lead vocals in an all-girl rock band.
That's how it all began. That is the one moment in time that would not only change the lives of 5 young ladies in California, but would also change rock music, and the way women in rock would be viewed from that point forward. The Runaways were the monster to Kim Fowley's Dr. Frankenstein. And this mad scientist would stop at nothing to make the girls rock stars---and make himself rich!
"The Runaways" was written (and directed) by Floria Sigismondi, and was based on the autobiographical book, "Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway" written by Cherie Currie. The film tells the story of the meteoric rise, and eventual fall of the legendary 1970s all girl rock band The Runaways, focusing on the relationship between Cherie Currie and Joan Jett. The film also recounts other aspects of Currie's life, from her troubles at home with her parents, her sometimes combustible relationship with sister Marie, to her drug and alcohol abuse, as well as her sudden impulse to leave the rock star life and return to her "normal life" back at home.
Biopics usually go one of two ways; they are either total "fluff", never dealing with the true issues, or they are willing to open up and tell the honest truth about the people whose lives are being depicted. "The Runaways" is a very open and honest film and is one that does not shy away from disclosing the bad times, along with the good times.
The film stars Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley, Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford and Stella Maeve as the late Sandy West. The fifth member of The Runaways is replaced in the film with a fictional bassist named Robin Roberts, played by Alia Shawkat. The actual fifth member of the band was, at first, Micki Steele, who, after leaving the band went on to join another all girl band, The Bangles. Micki left prior to the band recording their first album. Replacing Micki in The Runaways was Jackie Fox. Jackie did not give permission for her name to be used in the film, hence the decision to create a fictional bassist. (There are numerous different stories as to why Fox would not be a part of this film, but since, as fans, frankly, it's really none of our business, I'll not even go into any details on the reported reasons.) Tatum O'Neal makes a brief appearance in the film, as Cherie and Marie Currie's Mom, Marie Harmon. The film also stars Johnny Lewis, who fans of the hit television series, "Sons of Anarchy" will know for his role as Half Sack in seasons one and two. Lewis plays Scottie, the roadie for the band, who also ends up being Cherie's love interest. Also appearing in the film is Riley Keough who plays Marie Currie.
With "The Runaways", Dakota Fanning has undoubtedly shed her child actress "skin" and blossomed into an incredibly talented adult actress. All one needs to do is watch the scene in the film where "The Runaways" are in Japan performing their hit song, "Cherry Bomb", (click HERE to watch this scene) and then immediately search YouTube for the actual performance by Cherie and The Runaways and you'll see how amazingly accurate her performance as Cherie was! Fanning brilliantly displays the vulnerability that Cherie surely felt, being so young and having such tremendous pressure thrust upon her, being whisked from one show to the next, from one country to another, and having some of her bandmates become jealous of the fact that she was garnering more publicity, was in more magazines and was becoming more popular than they were. Fanning was able to perfectly mimic the mannerisms and attitude of which we've all come to love about the incredible Cherie Currie. Cherie is a tough, yet sweet and extremely intelligent woman, and Dakota Fanning captured those qualities with the precision and skill of an actress well more than twice her age.
Kristen Stewart, who the "Twihards" know from her portrayal of Bella in the horrendous "Twilight" films, is equally amazing in the role of rock guitar goddess Joan Jett. Throughout the film, you begin to forget that you are watching Stewart portray Jett, but rather, it seems as though it is Joan Jett herself up there on that screen. I was unsure when I first learned that she had been cast to play Jett, but she has certainly proven herself to be a great actress. Hopefully she'll stick to making great films such as "The Runaways", and stay away from such fodder as "Twilight".
As mentioned earlier, Michael Shannon plays swarmy manager Kim Fowley. What can you say about Michael Shannon? The man is capable of laying on film some of the most incredibly believable performances ever. And in "The Runaways", he is lovably hateable as Fowley, a man who is as brilliant as he is bizarre. I found myself thinking "This guy is only pushing these girls so that he, himself, can benefit, but at the same time, it's possible that he wants them to think he's in it all for himself so that they get angry, and in doing so, put on one hell of a performance.". Shannon's portrayal of Fowley is as bizarre and mysterious as the man of whom he is playing.
There are a number of performances in this film that should be honored by the Academy when Oscar nominations are being handed out. Fanning's work as Currie is such a breakthrough for her, as an actress, and she should be given the nod for it. In what could perhaps be best described as near-method acting, Stewart becomes Joan Jett. An actor or actress who encapsulates his or herself so deep within a character that they become said character, it's an awe-inspiring sight to behold and were she to be ignored by the Academy, it'd be a true travesty. Michael Shannon should also be considered as his performance is about as perfect as is humanly possible. He is flashy, maniacal and his performance is a driving, relentless display of acting at it's finest.
The film has an incredible soundtrack which includes the music of Suzi Quatro, MC5, David Bowie, The Stooges, Sex Pistols, and of course The Runaways as well as some of Joan Jett's solo work. At this point, I should also note that both Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart provided vocals for the film, with Fanning lending her voice to The Runaways songs "Cherry Bomb", "California Paradise" and Fanning and Stewart together on "Queens of Noise" and "Dead End Justice" .
The Runaways have earned their spot in the history of rock and roll, as they were trend setters, and every female rocker who has followed them owes Cherie, Joan and the girls a debt of gratitude. The film, "The Runaways" has also earned it's spot as one of the greatest music related biographical pictures ever made.
"The Runaways", with it's wonderful script, fantastic acting by all, and sheer honesty earns 5 out of 5 stars!
"The Runaways" is rated R for language, drug use and sexual content.
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