Solid biography of the seminal LA girl band the Runaways which launched the career of singer Joan Jett. Never a major force on the charts or even with critics, the rock quintet seems an unlikely candidate for a biopic. Based on lead vocalist Cherie Currie’s memoir Neon Angel, this well-acted story follows the somewhat clichéd dramatic arc of your above-average Behind the Music episode. The talented cast is what sets the film apart, particularly Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie and Riley Keough as her sister Marie. Their scenes together have a genuine bond of sisterhood that is engaging. Actor Michael Shannon is also memorable as rock promoter Kim Fanley. It’s surprising a man in his 30s would be allowed such unsupervised control over a group of girls barely in their teens. That’s the sort of fascinating detail that makes this biopic a notable addition to the growing list of films about “sex, drugs and rock & roll”.
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6 Responses
Wasn’t excited about seeing this movie, but glad I did. I knew nothing about “The Runaways”, but knew they existed. The acting was raw and convincing. I thought Dakota put in a very good performance, and I wasn’t annoyed by Kristen Stewart like I usually am. Overall, thumbs UP!
yay i wanna go see this im glad you guys both liked it! now i have to find time
I’m not particularly sure I liked this film, but I also don’t know if I hated it. I think if I were not already a fan of the Runaways, Joan Jett and Lita Ford – I would probably really dig this flick – but I am and I’m not digging so much. Where the film wins for me; is(like you said) the acting and(for me) the look feel and sound. Where it sorta lost with me; was the story, if I didn’t know anything about them already, I would probably have been able to leave the theater less aggravated . I know it’s based on Cherie Currie’s book, but having not read it, it makes me wonder if she really wrote it this way or if was the filmmakers decision to omit so much and basically candy coat the tumultuous lives of five hard living teens? Also, I really resented the film, only mentioning Cherie, Joan and Kim in the epilogue. Last time I checked, Lita Ford had just as big a career(if not bigger) as Joan Jett back in the eighties. There’s also Sandy West’s band, Micki Steele(original bassist) who left the band and was later a part of the Bangles and Vicki Blue who replaced her. Plus, the film gives the impression that Joan wrote “I love rock’n’roll” and even “Crimson & Clover” . Someone actually asked me if Joan wrote Crimson & Clover – and she wasn’t joking(sad). If you’re a real fan, check out the documentary, Edgeplay. You won’t regret it.
Your music knowledge never ceases to amaze me. All valid points, but in the interest of time, a filmmaker can’t include everything or the film would be 7 hours long. Not knowing the background of the band, I wasn’t as irritated by the omissions. I must say it appears that Cherie Currie is not a fan of Lita Ford. Lita barely has anything to say in the film, and on the few occasions she speaks, it’s to complain about something Cherie is doing.
Incidentally the band’s bassist, Robin, played by actress Alia Shawkat was a fictional character created because actual bassist Jackie Fox refused to give the rights for her to be portrayed in the film.
How could I forget about Foxy! I knew there wasn’t a Robin, but to be honest I didn’t even really notice what name Alia’s character was called. She and Scout Taylor-Compton(Lita Ford) barely in the film. It’s too bad Jackie opted out, I’m sure there’s a story behind that. I should mention -Joan Jett didn’t participate in – and tried to have the film Edgeplay stopped too – supposedly because it wasn’t centered around her as much as she thought it should. As I recall, Joan was a technical adviser on The Runaways. Perhaps that has something to do with certain omissions.?
Can’t wait to see this 🙂