Film Review: The Runaways

Stars: Kristin Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon
Running time: 106 minutes


This film is a biopic of the first teenage all-girl rock band who made it big back it the late 70's with hits such as 'Cherry Bomb' and 'Queens of Noise'. The film charts the first few years from the formation of the band right through to the trials involving drug addiction and fights within the band.

What I liked about The Runaways: the style, the music and Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart in roles a million miles off what I have seen before. As far as music biopics go it seemed quite short or perhaps not as in depth as I would have liked. I had read a little bit about the band when I had heard the film was being released last year which made me want to see more however it ended a little abruptly for me. I'd not heard any of the band's music before nor did I know anything about the band themselves - thankfully they didnt scrimp on the music or the costumes.

The film focuses mainly on band members Cherie Currie (Fanning) and Joan Jett (Stewart) from when the band was formed, to them getting signed by Mercury Records right through to Currie parting ways with the group and Jett releasing her first solo album.

Fanning makes the transition from child star to adult actor well and looks great as the lead singer of The Runaways. Stewart shows there is more to her than the Twilight films (and general all round powtiness - hey it works for Team Edward/Jacob so don't knock it).

In the film there is only one family back story which was for Cherie Currie, whose autobiography the film was based. This made for a more intimate insight into the character.

I would have like to have had one for Joan Jett also as there is an interesting character tale there, and one there was definitely room for.

My favourite quote from the film was from the band's Manager Kim Fowley played by Michael Shannon:

'The Runaways were... a conceptual rock project that failed.... Do I regret that they turned on me? No, I'm glad they turned on me. It shows spirit. If I'm training a wild dog, and the dog bites my hand, I know I've trained him well... '

A great film despite its scantiness, and a great soundtrack to boot!

7 out of 10