The Runaways (MOVIE: 2010) directed by Floria Sigismondi

The cast of The Runaways.
 Not to be confused with the band, The Runaways.

THE RUNAWAYS
2010
Directed by Floria Sigismondi
Notable Actors: Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley, Stella Maeve as Sandy West, Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford, Alia Shawkat as Robin, and Riley Keough as Marie Currie.

Rating: 7 out of 10.

SPOILERS.
Joan Jett feels like life has nothing to offer her, except Rock-n-Roll. There's nothing more in the world that she wants, and she even tries desperately to break the mold that she's trapped in. She shops for men's clothes, kisses girls, and is denied playing good electric songs in her guitar lessons. Why can't women be tough as well? She recognizes Kim Fowley, a record mogul of the time, and says that she's ready to create a gritty rock band. Intrigued, he hooks her up with drummer Sandy West. Sandy and Joan jam, and while Kim is listening, realizes what they need...a frontlady. Joan, Sandy, Lita, and Robin are part of the Runaways, the first all-female rock band of their kind. While at a club, they run into young Cherie Currie, a performer more than anything. They write "Cherrybomb" while she's preparing for an audition, because the song she chose wasn't 'rock enough' for them. She's sings it, but Kim instructs her to "think with her dick, like a man." They get "Cherrybomb" written and have a great song to behold. Kim breaks down the girls for us. Cherie; Cherrybomb, sex kitten, jailbait. Joan Jett; the rock-n-roll heart and a street tough brunette. Sandy; Miss California with a joint in her mouth and a chip on her shoulder, and Lita; Love child of Sofia Loren and Ritchie Blackmore. You do not mess with Lita. In this movie, Robin is a substitute for real-life bassist of the Runaways, Jackie Fox. She did not release the rights to her story for the movie, thus they substituted another name for the character, and gave limited look into the bassist. The girls go on tour to another country, and Cherie taps into the character finally that Kim wants her to be. She spirals downward in a torrent of drug abuse, alcohol, and sexual relations. Finally, Cherie doesn't get into the booth to sing while recording an album, and leaves. Cherie tells Joan that she just wants to spend time with her family, while Joan pleads that this is the only thing she has left in life. Cherie is at the end of the movie in a knick-knack shop and hears Joan's new band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. "I Love Rock-n-Roll" is on the radio and Joan is in the radio's office to answer questions. Cherie calls in to tell her 'hi', because she missed Joan, and all the debauchery

they caused as the first ladies of rock-n-roll.

So, I wasn't expecting much to begin with for this movie. After watching many movies with no expression off of Stewart's face, I was so afraid this movie would be butchered. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised and shocked that she pulled off Jett. The emotion she does well is pissed-off distanced character, which she actually was able to do. That scowl and unhappy face she always has? Perfect for Joan Jett's rock-n-roll style. Fanning is a fantastic actress, so I was glad to see her in a movie again, and one that kind of changed the image of the normal, more wholesome characters she plays. I always thought the Runaways story would be more interesting. I'm sure for the time, that it was pretty crazy because they were girls, but the 1980s went and changed everything, so the sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll were not surprising or shocking.

Hey blog readers! Do you want a specific movie/tv show/book series/album reviewed? Post it in the comments and your request will be heard!