Before dinner we were discussing films we had recently seen. My friend mentioned that she had recently watched the Runaways the night before with the whole family.
The grandmother put forth her opinion that she didn't feel comfortable watching that movie with her daughter let alone her granddaughters, that it was disgusting, shocking and they were constantly telling the daughters to cover their eyes (they range from nearly 10 - 16 years old).
They told me to not bother watching it, which of course made me want to watch it immediately, which for me was the next day. I'd bought a lot of DVDs overseas but hadn't gotten around to watching many yet particularly as I'm in the mood for something more festive. Following that glowing review though, I was eager to make up my own mind on his shocking ness. And I was a little disappointed.
First perhaps a brief synopsis: The Runaways was a 70s all girl group, the love child of a young Joan Jett (played by Kirsten Stewart). She gets together with Sandy West (Stella Maeve) a drummer and Cherie Currie is the blonde goddess singer (Dakota Fanning) who tries out last. She's only 15. Lita (Scout Taylor-Compton) and Robin (Alia Shawcat) round out the rest of the band but barely have 2 lines between them as the real band members did not give permission for their life stories to be used for the film.
This gives an odd dynamic and forces the story to focus on Jett and Curie (West also apparently gave permission but she doesn't get a note card at the end explaining what happened to her after the band disbanded).
The story follows their rise to fame and also features a very unlikeable manager in Kim Fowley (played by Michael Shannon). There's lots of drugs and the infamous seduction scene between Fanning and Stewart was very blurry and brief, so unsure what all the fuss was about there.
In truth this felt more like Fanning's film than Stewart's and when I learnt at the end that it was based on Currie's autobiography this made sense.
As a film overall it was okay, I didn't find it perverse and disgusting like some, but I didn't love it either. I enjoyed Fanning's performance but I'd be lying if I didn't find it uncomfortable watching her in her underwear-like outfit performing. Or seducing guys/girls. This must be a common problem for child stars transitioning.
But kudos for the filmmakers getting the costumes right! Actually I thought overall the set decoration was great, I loved the costumes, hair and makeup, they depicted the 70s nicely.
Stewart's performance...well I'm predisposed not to like her which isn't fair but her involvement in the awful character of Bella Swann is ingrained on my soul. She's alright here, but I couldn't help feeling like I'd seen the character before. It hit me: Shane from The L Word.
Regarding Shawcat, it felt like such a waste having her in the movie, I honestly do not remember one line from her, I realise it is because of privacy issues but she doesn't even look a lot like the band mate she is supposed to be playing so why bother?
Edit: I just looked on Wiki, and the 5th band member was actually named Jackie Fox (I need an education on indie 70s rock) so they couldn't even use her name, which still begs the question why bother hiring Shawcat if she's not going to be effectively used...
One other thing, Cherry Bomb seriously gets stuck in your heard after viewing this film.
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| The real Runaways |
