Classic Movie Review: 'The Runaways' Starring Kristen Stewart

The Runaways (2010)

Directed by Fioria Sigismondi

Written by Fioria Sigismondi

Starring Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon

Release Date March 19th, 2010

Published March 14th, 2024

As I write this, Kristen Stewart is back in theaters in one of her most critically acclaimed roles in Love Lies Bleeding. The indie, LGBTQ romance on the run flick has captivated critics and stirred controversy, especially following K-Stew's torrid Rolling Stone cover story dropped last month. I'm excited to see and write about Love Lies Bleeding but while I wait for my chance to see Love Lies Bleeding, I've been reflecting on Kristen Stewart's work for a series of reviews. You can read my review of Twilight and my review of Adventureland, on my Vocal Profile.

Wow! Rewatching The Runaways, there can be no wonder about why we are so hyper-vigilant about teen sexuality these days. Apparently. in the 1970's every adult in the country was looking the other way. How else to explain how The Runaways became overnight sensations selling the sexuality of 15 year old lead singer Cherie Currie all the way to world tours and platinum records.

Now, I'm sure there was outrage at the time but that is not in the movie The Runaways. Instead we get a film that is as eager to capitalize on the provocative sexuality of a 16 year old Dakota Fanning as much as real life record exec Kim Fowley, portrayed in the film by Oscar nominee Michael Shannon, who eagerly and greedily exploited the real Cherie Currie. It's uncomfortable but it is supposed to be in the case of the movie.

Based on Currie's biographical account of her life, the book, Neon Angel, The Runaways starred Dakota Fanning as the David Bowie influenced Currie and Kristen Stewart as the Suzy Quatro loving Joan Jett. Thrust together by record exec Kim Fowley, who saw the novel possibilities of an all girl punk band, just as punk was bubbling up to the mainstream, the two teenagers from broken homes bonded and made memorable music and more together.

Yes, there were other members of The Runaways but not all were cooperative with the filmmakers and those that were but weren't Ms. Currie or Ms. Jett, weren't all that interesting to writer-director Floria Sigismondi and are thus are relegated to afterthoughts. Fans may cry foul over the treatment of bandmates Lita Ford (Scout Taylor Compton) and Sandy West (Stella Maeve) as merely back up to Currie and Jett but things could be worse, they could be Jackie Fox who was cut from the film entirely, replaced by a composite character played by Alia Shawkat.

I referred to the filmmakers’ eagerness to take advantage of 16 year old Dakota Fanning's sexuality. Indeed, Fanning is treated as a Roman Polanski fantasy but it is not mere exploitation. The casting of Ms. Fanning is deliberate and effective. In choosing the then young star of Charlotte's Web and Cat in the Hat, the makers of The Runaways force the exploitation of Cherie Currie to the forefront of the story and make a meta-commentary on the state of sex and morality in the drug fueled haze of the 1970's.

Fanning brings complexity, fear and vulnerability to Currie that separates the off-stage teenager from the on-stage rock goddess. Her relationship with Stewart's Joan Jett is that of kindred lost spirits searching for connection in a disconnected world. Shuttled around the globe by Kim Fowley's guru/con-man and seeking fame; the girls only had each other for comfort and it can be no surprise that the relationship proceeded beyond the bounds of friendship.

Kristen Stewart is a stunning recreation of the Joan Jett that appeared in the pages of magazines before anyone even knew she could truly shred on a guitar. Stewart gives life to a young Joan Jett that I'm sure had Joan herself reeling from the surreal representation of her life. Stewart delivers the Joan Jett of our pop culture fantasy while also giving life to a side of Joan Jett that most fans have never seen before, a personal, vulnerable and soulful side hidden from the glare of the spotlights.

The driving performance of the film however, belongs to Michael Shannon as the bellowing, bullying and bizarre Kim Fowley. Like him or not, Fowley was a real character and Shannon brings him into each scene with an intensity that charges the entire film. Shannon should have earned an Academy Award for his performance as Kim Fowley, it's the kind of powerhouse work that lingers in your mind long after you see it. Shannon's eyes practically glow with intensity and the line between actor and character blurs in a fashion that truly demonstrates great acting.

Though The Runaways grows laconic at times and follows a familiar rock bio trajectory of discovery, stardom, heartbreak and redemption, the filmmaking from veteran music video director Floria Sigismondi captures the moment that was The Runaways. The fast pace, quick cuts and the ever present music are a rush in the same way The Runaways were a rush on stage and in the annals of pop culture. It's a film about the unique alchemy of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie and the moments that changed their lives. It's also a grave warning about the weirdos, con-artists, and hangers on who color and power the entertainment world, for better and for worse.

Find my archive of more than 20 years and nearly 2000 movie reviews at SeanattheMovies.blogspot.com. Find my modern review archive on my Vocal Profile, linked here. Follow me on Twitter at PodcastSean. Follow the archive blog on Twitter at SeanattheMovies. Listen to me talk about movies on the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have enjoyed what you have read, consider subscribing to my writing on Vocal. If you'd like to support my writing, you can do so by making a monthly pledge or by leaving a one time tip. Thanks!