Review: The Runaways

"It's better to burn out than to fade away". Those prophetic Neil Young words made famous by Kurt Cobain many years later, could just as easily apply to The Runaways, the short lived all-girl rock band that set the music world afire back in 1975. Much like the band itself, first time director Floria Sigismondi's film burns too hot too quickly, ultimately imploding, but the performances by a butched up Kristen Stewart and tarted up Dakota Fanning make it one hell of a ride while it lasts.

Stewart takes a vacay from that whole Twilight deal to fit comfortably into the role of famous rocker, Joan Jett. Jett's life seems aimless until she happens upon the bombastic Kit Fowler(played by the excellent Michael Shannon), a hard rock lothario who's managed some of the world's greatest bands. He doesn't so much form the band as gives them the pieces to make it work. He introduces Jett to drummer Sandy West, and the rest is pretty much history. All girl rock bands were a lot like blind prizefighters. They didn't exist, and if they did they'd just get their asses kicked. Fowler knew it'd take more than a couple of girl musicians to make it work. It needed glitz, glam, and a heck of a lot more sex.

Dakota Fanning seems like an odd choice to play Cherrie Curry, the group's lead singer and bonafide sex bomb. She jumps into the role with obvious glee and excitement. Isn't this the same girl who basically got every parent's panties in a twist because they couldn't stand to see her get molested in Hounddog? Those people should be ready to have their heads blown completely off their shoulders. Fanning's casting is perfect, not just because the look is spot on, but because of the uneasiness she creates that mirrors much of the band's appeal. Curry, in particular, was a good girl retrofitted into the role of sex kitten. She was "bonafide jailbait", as Fowler is so quick to point out. The sex sucks you in, makes you feel dirty about lusting over girls young enough to be your daughter, then kicks you in the face with a bangin' guitar riff. Sigismondi never for a second lets us forget who we're watching and what we're feeling. The camera lingers over Fanning's every curve a little too long. I noticed a couple of dudes squirming in their seats a little.

This is undeniably the story of Curry and Jett, as you'd expect seeing as how Jett was a producer and the film is based on Curry's book. The rest of the cast are mere afterthoughts, which is kinda sad since I'm a huge fan of Alia Shawkat, who played the fictional bassist(they couldn't get the real life rights from Jackie Fox). The story is pretty run of the mill stuff. You expect the band to fall apart thanks to a heavy dose of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. It sure enough does, it just so happens I'm a huge fan of exactly that type of story.  I think the fact that the group lasted for such a short time is a detriment to the story. We never actually see them struggle to succeed in such a male dominated world. Nor do we really get to see them fall. It all kinda implodes overnight and everybody goes there own separate ways.

The Runaways survives on pure adrenaline. Kristen Stewart proved to me what I've been saying all along that she is one of the most talented young actresses working today. Her charisma dominates every scene. She doesn't actually have a lot to say, but her presence alone, brooding and powerful, is more than enough. Michael Shannon, who stole every scene away from Dicaprio and Winslet in 2008's Revolutionary Road, is a smooth talking force of nature as well. 

The band itself only lasted for around four years. Joan Jett went on to huge success on her own with "I Love Rock and Roll". Cherrie Curry became an actress and an artist. One joined the equally successful girlband, The Bangles. Others in the group didn't fair so well. While lacking in any real substance, The Runaways is a lot like the group in that it struck fast and hard, leaving an impression that won't soon be forgotten.