The Runaways: Movie Review

The Runaways: Movie Review

The Runaways
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon

Director: Floria Sigismondi

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning leave their Twilight images behind in this tale of hedonism, hard rocking and harmonies.

Set in the 70s it's the true life coming of age tale of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, how their rock and roll lives collided and they blazed the trail for women in rawk music.

But while Jett was always determined to be a rock star, Currie was more saddled with the problems of family life which seem to cause conflict within her - and unleash her inner demons.

Most will come to see Kristen who manages a strong but sullen Joan Jett - but this film belongs to Fanning as drug addled Currie and Michael Shannon as the maestro Kim Fowley who sees the potential of the female band-it's their relationship with everyone else which eclipses most of the film itself.

Thanks to great performances and a hit of humour here and there, it fizzles as it evokes the times. But along with the great recreation of how a band evolves (The Runaways spend their time rehearsing in a caravan) this is a real insight into the reality of setting the trend - Jett herself was widely mocked for wanting to be a woman in rock in a time when men were the predominantly the music industry.

Stewart is good as Jett; all raw intensity and brooding explosiveness but there's more humanity on display by Fanning as her rock'n'roll dreams come to a head and she starts to lose her way.

Sure, parts of it will be an uneasy watch as it's a little bit jailbait, but the fact it's all true steers the film away from sleaze. And a great soundtrack helps set the vibe.

Punky and spunky, The Runaways is a hedonistic trip, fizzing with energy and humanity.