SYNOPSIS:
Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning star as Joan Jett and Cherie
Currie in The Runaways, the music-fueled, coming of age story
of the groundbreaking, all girl rock band THE RUNAWAYS. They
fall under the Svengali-like influence of rock impresario Kim
Fowley (MICHAEL SHANNON), who turns the rebellious Southern
California kids into a rock group with outrageous success. With
its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns
a name for itself—and so do its two leads: Joan is the band’s
pure rock' n' roll heart, while Cherie, with her Bowie-Bardot
looks, is the sex kitten.
MOVIE REVIEW:
Hate. For a lack of a more appropriate word, that is the verb this reviewer has to use when it comes to a certain movie series known as The Twilight Saga. Without going into details how dumbfounding this phenomenal series is, this reviewer shall just summarise by saying: What is it with vampires, werewolves and young teenage girls? In any case, this is of interest in this review because the movie in question stars not one, but two of those girls from The Twilight Saga. Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning shed their irksome Twilight personas to play rocker chicks in this biographical film about a 1970s all girl rock band named The Runaways.
Like all biographical movies you have seen before, this one narrates the story of the band members’ coming of age stories – how each of them fought their demons to find their true selves in the world of rock and roll, how they overcame odds to emerge a leading band in the 1970s, and of course, the obligatory tension and conflict with each other.
Been there, done that? Definitely. But what stands out here is the gritty, grounded and genuine performances from the individual cast members. Stewart and Fanning shine in their roles as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie respectively. The distinctly different personalities are well grasped in the two young actresses’ performances. Who would have thought that the emotionally depressive Bella from The Twilight Saga (Stewart) is rollickingly impressive as the band’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist? And who would have thought the sweet young thing in I Am Sam (2001) and Charlotte’s Web (2006) has grown to be a sex kitten who purrs as well as she looks as the band’s lead vocalist?
You go, girls.
In a supporting role is Michael Shannon (who last left a lasting impression as a mentally unstable man in Sam Mendes’ Revolutionary Road), who plays record producer Kim Fowley who brings the band to outrageous success with his unique charisma. Equally compelling in their roles as fellow band members Sandy West and Lita Ford are Stella Maeve and Scout Taylor-Compton.
Audiences will feel the tension as arguments and differences start to plague the band (this is life, if you don’t know already), making them fall apart. The storytelling may not be exceptionally refreshing, but it does manage to engage.
Viewers will also enjoy the retro soundtrack which reminds you of the good old days where rock and roll (and sometimes, a little drugs) rule the world. Listen out for the rejuvenating “Cherry Bomb”, the band’s signature tune which will bound to rock your senses. The punk rock music in the 103 minute movie is almost hypnotizing, and coupled with the electric presence of its cast, you’d be promised an invigorating experience. At least, it will be more stimulating that that movie series about, err, vampires.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
NIL
AUDIO/VISUAL:
There is nothing to complain about the movie's visual transfer. It is presented in its original English audio track.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
Posted
on 10 September 2010
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