The Runaways

Kirsten Stewart and Dakota Fanning decide to be a rock stars instead of movie stars in the new film, The Runaways about the formation of a 1970's girl rock group going by the same name. It's one of those quick rises to fame only to watch it all come crashing down type of stories. As far as movie music biography's go, the film isn't terribly stereotypical. With a sense of style that feels appropriate given the era and the somewhat surprising casting of most involved, it's definitely a teen oriented film that isn't pandering to hard for it's audiences approval.
Stewart is an actress hot off the heels of Twilight mania who I still feel is more than capable of turning in a great performance. She was hypnotizing in Into the WIld and was so incredibly underrated in Adventureland. Im not one who ever cared to watch the Twilight soap opera's so I wouldn't be expecting much from her there. It seems though that she's an actress who's gotten quite a bit of flak as of late and Im not sure its all entirely justified or deserved. Here she plays famous rocker Joan Jett in a performance that she seems to be just phoning inn. She's by no means bad, but also by no means memorable. Dakota Fanning on the other hand is the teen sex pot of the group who more often then once made me feel a little ashamed of myself for watching her so closely. It feels like just yesterday she was Tom Cruise's little girl in War of the Worlds. Well, sorry dad. Looks like your baby's grown up now. Here she plays Cherie Currie a fifteen year old girl who is asked to join Jett in the group because of her school girl sex appeal. Fanning is a child star who has consistently put down great performances but here she is clearly not playing the little girl anymore and she does a pretty decent job of pulling it off. However it's the always surprisingly crazy Michael Shannon who steals the show as The Runaways manager and producer Kim Fowley.
The Runaways is decent attempt by Hollywood at taking a stab at trying to make an edgy, teen, punk rock movie. If your a fan of the music you may find it worth your time.

C

2010