Movie: The Runaways

I am a sucker for rock biopic/mockumentary movies. I loved Almost Famous (not as biopic but still rock focused), This is Spinal Tap and Shine A Light.

Why? Because deep down inside, my Midwest inner bad girl wants to be a rock star, go on tour and rock the f*ck out in a stadium.

But that won’t be happening, so I like to live vicariously. And I did that again this weekend with the new movie, The Runaways.

Movie: The Runaways

Rating: R

Release date: March 19, 2010

Everyday Adventures’ grade: A

Summary: Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) is one bad a** rocker in the 70s, but before her solo career, she was part of a girl rock band, The Runaways with lead singer Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning). With the help of eccentric and likely clinically crazy manager Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), The Runaways become a success, but ultimately, girl jealousy, drugs and fighting breaks them up.

My thoughts: I LOVED this movie. It’s gritty, dirty and wild. And I loved every minute of it. The main actors: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Michael Shannon are each EXCELLENT in their roles. Michael Shannon was amazing in Revolutionary Road and he’s equally eccentric and hypnotizing to watch here.

I’ve been a little harsh on Kristen Stewart (KStew to me) before because she looks perennially constipated and pissed off but it really works here. She’s gruff, wild and raw as Joan Jett and it worked. Joan was unlike a lot of 70s girls and she had a real vision and burn to be a star and KStew completely embodies it. Almost half woman, half animal. But to be catty, her hair is t-r-a-g-i-c. Goodness.

Dakota Fanning is also great as Cherie, the girl who indulged a bit too much in the temptations of the road and rock n’ roll stardom. Watching Cherie go from bored, Bowie-loving teen to drugged and strung out star is like Behind The Music without the voiceover and ultimately, you see the downfall before it happens.

Overall, the direction, music and cinematography are great, but the most electric scenes are the Runaways performances. KStew and Dakota fanning are totally mesmerizing to watch, especially Fanning, who just turns on the sex appeal like a light. It is girl bad a**ery at it’s best and makes me want to scream, “f*ck yeah!”

Oh and the hyped KStew/Dakota Fanning kiss really isn’t THAT big of a deal. If you want a hot girl-on-girl kiss, see Cruel Intentions (1999) with Sarah Michelle Geller and Selma Blair. That was a hot kiss.

What movies have you seen lately? Are you a Joan Jett fan?