MOVIE REVIEW: "The Runaways"

I just saw the movie 
The Runaways – 
the (semi) true life 
sex, drugs & rock and roll 
saga  of  The Runaways, the pioneering all-girl
band from the 1970s.
It's a compelling story,
offering some stellar
performances from an 
amazing cast.

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While Dakota Fanning did an excellent job portraying Cherie Currie, Kristen Stewart literally became Joan Jett. And I completely agree with my longtime friend and writing colleague Gail Worley that there's no justice in the world if Michael Shannon doesn't win an Oscar for his portrayal of lunatic manager Kim Fowley.

I thought it was a very good movie, but I didn't love it quite to the extent Gail did. I'm a longtime Runaways fan and I know their story very well. Perhaps too well. I thought the stories as presented in the film kinda blurred together and they could have been a bit better defined. How did the band get from all of the "Point A's" to "Point B's." Oh sure, I know, but did the sixteen-year-old Twilight fan who came to see the newest Kristen Stewart flick get it? 

The music featured in the film was a real treat as well – especially for those of us who grew up in that magical era. Hearing Nick Gilder's "Roxy Roller" during the opening credits gave me chills. And  the original versions of The Runaways songs that were included in the movie still hold up –  sounding as fresh as the remakes recorded by Fanning and Stewart.

I also got a kick out of the tribute "nod" to legendary radio DJ, Rodney Bingenheimer. It was a shame though, that such a longtime iconic figure on the LA scene was so quickly glossed over.

But over all I liked the movie and I give it four out of five gold (over priced) boxes of Raisinettes!
 

  

Me and Cherie - LA 1990

-Christopher Long
(April 2010)

Author Christopher Long's latest book
C'MON! - My Story of Rock, Ruin and Revelation
is available NOW on Amazon.