You want female angst? You got it.

To be honest, I didn't know much about the Runaways except that it was Joan Jett's first band before she became a solo artist. The reason why it intrigued me was because I wanted to see whether Dakota Fanning was able to pull off playing a troubled young rockstar.
"Rock 'n' roll has always been a man's world."

Many music historians argue that the Runaways weren't the female pioneers to enter the rock 'n roll world, but the all-female rock band definitely left an imprint in music history. With the irrational guidance of music producer, Kim Fowley, four young teenagers - Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Sandie West and Jackie Fox have paved the way for aspiring female musicians to be in the rock 'n roll world. Before them, female rock bands were generally non-existent. Yet, it raises the question, was their music ever taken seriously or were they famous because of their sex appeal, particularly Currie's? That's up to you to decide.

The Runaways is a biopic directed by Floria Sigismondi and is loosely based on Cherie Churrie's memoir entitled, 'Neon Angel'. It chronicles band's rise to fame, Curie's addiction to heroin and her eventual departure from the band. The story solely focuses on the relationship between Cherrie Curie and Joan Jett, played by Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart respectively. Perhaps due to personal differences, the stories of the other members including Lita Ford (lead guitar) and Sandie West (drummer) remain hidden in the background. In real life, Jackie Fox, the founding bassist of the band refused to be associated with the film, so her character was replaced by a fictional bassist named Robin.

Breaking the initial mold

Many may question whether two of Hollywood’s most famous young stars (one of them most famous for her role in the Twilight saga) can play such vulnerable characters in the midst of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. One thing they both have in common though - they have reached stardom at a rather young age. Nevertheless, both Fanning and Stewart managed to pull it off and show that they do have what it takes to portray dark and troubled rock stars besides the 70s haircuts and dark eye make-up.

One of the things I remembered thinking while watching this film, was that it was quite hard to envision Dakota Fanning, the young girl in family movies such as I am Sam and Cat in the Hat was prancing around in skimpy tops and high heels while holding a cigarette. If you haven't noticed before, this movie marks the official declaration of her shedding her goodie girl status. Besides sharing coke lines and a make-out scene with Stewart, this role signifies her ability to tackle complex adult roles without being too over-the-top. 


In the end, Kristen Stewart is the one who steals the show and leaves a lasting impression of the movie. Her honest portrayal as a young Joan Jett never skips a beat and it takes more than a mullet haircut and punk outfits to fit the part of the world's most famous female rock musicians. In every scene, she manages to intensify it with her cool, laidback exterior and raw ambition for playing music. I sincerely don't know who else could have played an almost authentic young Joan Jett better than her.

The mutual connection between Currie and Jett is definitely something to watch, although many may not fully understand. If you can get past the Hollywood glamorettes starring in the film, it is rather a evocative and rebellious film. It does not hold any boundaries and shows a glimpse of all the personal troubles and discrimination that female rockstars had to go through. The only thing that could have made it better was if the rest of the members of the band had bigger roles, since they are left out in the hanging.

Watch the trailer here

Watch the music video of their Cherry Bomb performance (sung by Dakota Fanning herself)