The Runaways (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
This film, directed by newcomer Floria Sigismondi, chronicles 'The Runaways', the first successful all-female rock band. We meet the 5-female group, led by 16 yr. olds Joan Jett & Cherie Currie (Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning), & follow their tumultuous rise from rebellious Hollywood, CA teenagers to bonafide rock stars. We also meet their outrageous, combustible manager Kim Fowley (an enjoyably manic Michael Shannon); a man who exploitatively promotes & sells them as 'jailbait'. But for better or worse, he does turn their misfit group into an insane success (though mostly overseas).
They were, first & foremost, stellar musicians. They played with conviction. The band had a tough-girl image. But Joan Jett was largely regarded for her pure rock-n-roll heart & demeanor, while the initially naive Cherie was honed into a Brigitte Bardot-like sex kitten. But while the film does well to show their formation & Kim Fowley's unusual training methods (making them as popular as they were), film's main narrative source comes from Cherie's troubled home life, Joan & Cherie's ambiguous relationship (on stage and off), Cherie's fame-induced drug habit, & her leaving the band at its peak.
'The Runaways' is a decent account of the rise & collapse of this edgy musical group. But it isn't great. And, to be honest, it made me feel quite sad. I was uncomfortable watching this movie from its very 1st image, all the way to its end. I almost was wishing it could be over about 3/4's of the way through. Again, that's not because it wasn't well-made, well acted (which it is), etc ... I was just fed up with watching a sad, angry film. Funny enough, nearly everyone comes out of the film unscathed. No one dies, no one is 'done wrong' ... it just upset me. I didn't like watching angry 16 yr. old girls being pushed into sex, drugs, & fame. I didn't like their music (but that's purely subjective, I still respect it). I didn't like the exploitations they endured, etc.. And the movie felt relentlessly grimy.
I suppose that's a good thing as far as technical proficiency is concerned. The yrs. of 1975-77 are well-evoked. The sets are right. The costumes are period perfect; and often dazzling. The hair & make-up is right. The vibe of the movie is bang-on correct. This is one of the few films that really, truly capture the "vibe" of unbridled rock-n-roll on display. I enjoyed the creation & improvisation of the songs that the band made. I liked their rehearsals & performances. And as mentioned, the acting is very solid; having enjoyed the friendship btwn. Stewart's Jett & Fanning's Currie.
But then, the other problem I had with this movie is its conclusion. Because the film is loosely based on Cherie Currie's autobiography, the film sheds 'some' light on her home life; but it doesn't delve deep enough for me to care or take seriously. After Currie leaves the band & Jett breaks-out with her I Love Rock-n-Roll and Crimson & Clover hits ... the movie doesn't quite know how to end. Questions go unanswered (and are glossed-over in an end credits post-script).
So, in conclusion, the direction in okay, the characterizations lack depth, but the acting is good (I've always thought Stewart & Fanning had more in them than what some of their movie catalogue has shown) & the production is solid. It's neat to see the birth of girl-rocker empowerment. But 'The Runaways' doesn't feel like the definitive story of either of these women. The script is lacking. The tone gets too sleazy. And the movie is a downer.
They were, first & foremost, stellar musicians. They played with conviction. The band had a tough-girl image. But Joan Jett was largely regarded for her pure rock-n-roll heart & demeanor, while the initially naive Cherie was honed into a Brigitte Bardot-like sex kitten. But while the film does well to show their formation & Kim Fowley's unusual training methods (making them as popular as they were), film's main narrative source comes from Cherie's troubled home life, Joan & Cherie's ambiguous relationship (on stage and off), Cherie's fame-induced drug habit, & her leaving the band at its peak.
'The Runaways' is a decent account of the rise & collapse of this edgy musical group. But it isn't great. And, to be honest, it made me feel quite sad. I was uncomfortable watching this movie from its very 1st image, all the way to its end. I almost was wishing it could be over about 3/4's of the way through. Again, that's not because it wasn't well-made, well acted (which it is), etc ... I was just fed up with watching a sad, angry film. Funny enough, nearly everyone comes out of the film unscathed. No one dies, no one is 'done wrong' ... it just upset me. I didn't like watching angry 16 yr. old girls being pushed into sex, drugs, & fame. I didn't like their music (but that's purely subjective, I still respect it). I didn't like the exploitations they endured, etc.. And the movie felt relentlessly grimy.
I suppose that's a good thing as far as technical proficiency is concerned. The yrs. of 1975-77 are well-evoked. The sets are right. The costumes are period perfect; and often dazzling. The hair & make-up is right. The vibe of the movie is bang-on correct. This is one of the few films that really, truly capture the "vibe" of unbridled rock-n-roll on display. I enjoyed the creation & improvisation of the songs that the band made. I liked their rehearsals & performances. And as mentioned, the acting is very solid; having enjoyed the friendship btwn. Stewart's Jett & Fanning's Currie.
But then, the other problem I had with this movie is its conclusion. Because the film is loosely based on Cherie Currie's autobiography, the film sheds 'some' light on her home life; but it doesn't delve deep enough for me to care or take seriously. After Currie leaves the band & Jett breaks-out with her I Love Rock-n-Roll and Crimson & Clover hits ... the movie doesn't quite know how to end. Questions go unanswered (and are glossed-over in an end credits post-script).
So, in conclusion, the direction in okay, the characterizations lack depth, but the acting is good (I've always thought Stewart & Fanning had more in them than what some of their movie catalogue has shown) & the production is solid. It's neat to see the birth of girl-rocker empowerment. But 'The Runaways' doesn't feel like the definitive story of either of these women. The script is lacking. The tone gets too sleazy. And the movie is a downer.