Review of The Runaways (2010) by Lori B — 16 Apr 2013
The directorial debut of Italian music video director Floria Sigismondi, this is based on the memoir Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie, who was part of The Runaways with Joan Jett. It's a rock biopic that follows all the conventions of biopics like these, the rise and fall, the descent into drink and drugs and the struggles to make it big, it's all here in this film, it's very much by the numbers, but it's worth the watch.
In 1975 in Los Angeles, Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) idolises David Bowie, and aspires to be a rock star, then she auditions for a band being started by Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and record producer Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), who see's something in Joan's rawness, and they both see something in Cherie, and put her in the band, joined by Lita (Scout Taylor-Compton) and Robin (Alia Shawkat).
After being signed to Mercury Records, they find themselves on the road in Japan, where they're a huge success. But Joan doesn't like how Cherie hogs the limelight, and that the press seem to pay more attention to Cherie than the other band members.
It's a good film, even though it did take advantage with the story, much to the chagrin of both the real Currie and Jett, but they're portrayed well on screen by Fanning and Stewart, who play the girl rockers with relish and strength.
This review of The Runaways (2010) was written by Lori B on 16 Apr 2013.
The Runaways has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
