STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: FILM “The Runaways”

It’s the 1970s. Rock and roll music runs rampant in America. But for these women, they started a revolution for females everywhere.

Directed and written by Floria Sigismondi, and based on the memoir “Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway” by Cherie Currie, The Runaways is about the genesis and success of the titular band.

The story is told mostly through the eyes of Cherie Currie and Joan Jett. With the help of producer Kim Fowler, and an impromptu song by Joan and Kim for Cherie as an audition, “Cherry Bomb”, the Runaways are formed and become… well, a runaway hit.

The film has a distinct look in terms of the production and costume design. I’m unfamiliar with 70s culture, and I am practically blind when it comes to 70s rock and roll culture, outside of a few songs, which I’ve never seen the music video for. Everyone dresses cool and unique, so that’s my big takeaway.

The acting in this film is appropriately crazy. Kristen Stewart is cool and reserved; Dakota Fanning is charismatic and oozing sex appeal; as always, Michael Shannon is over-the-top crazy. Every one of them, you just can’t look away.

And speaking of which, I am a huge fan of Dakota Fanning, and honestly, she is the only reason why I went to go watch this film. It’s one of the first films (that I saw) where she was able to break out of her bright dramatic typecasting, and go on the other side of the shade spectrum.

The Runaways is a loud, fun ride that will end predictably (since this is a biopic) but it’s an assault on all senses that will make you feel excited, uncomfortable, and just plain having a great time.