The Perfect Feathered Bang ~ Movie Review of ‘The Runaways’

It is 1975 and sexism, as I’m sure it still is, was alive and well in the world of rock-n-roll.  Lucky for Joan Jett she lived in Los Angeles where she at least had access to the rock clubs that littered the city – as well as record producers who frequented them.   Although she encountered a guitar teacher who didn’t think that girls should play electric guitars, Jett goes off and does her own thing despite having a uterus.  A chance meeting with Kim Fowley, record producer and band manager, introduces her to Sandy West a female drummer and from there they built the first all female rock band.  They had everything going for them except they needed a female singer who could bring the crowds – “A Bridget Bardot from the Trailer Park” to paraphrase Fowley.  Then ‘The Runaways’ found their lead singer, with a lead singer worthy name, Cherie Currie, at one of the before mentioned clubs sitting by herself drinking a bottle Pepsi waiting for the next David Bowie hit to play.  Fowley didn’t know if she could sing or not, but he was certain she had the right look – a look she gave herself as a form of rebellion, i.e. the blonde feathered bang.     

 

                Before I get into the nuts and bolts of this review, I confess I don’t understand why films like ‘The Runaways’ have such limited openings while things such as the remake of ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ has a wide release.  I’m not trying to say that I find ‘The Runaways’ to be a film that one must see because it is a shoo-in for next year’s Oscars race, but I think it has an appeal that deserves a wider release audience.  To add to my dismay it stars two actresses who have careers that are gaining momentum.  First, there is Kristen Stewart who is A list because of her role as Bella Swan in the ‘Twilight’ films and then there is Dakota Fanning, who also has a role in the ‘Twilight’ franchise, but is most known for her parts as a child actress.  I must say, I was very impressed with her portrayal of Currie.  Listen kittens, when the opening scene is of a girl having her first period while dripping on the ground, you don’t know exactly what you have signed up for, but Fanning was fantastic.  She nailed the transition of a young girl who comes off as a bit prudish who then morphs into a rock star who at the pinnacle of her rock goddess status walked away from it.  Don’t fret, she had the consolation prizes of particular rock & roll habits.

 

                As for Kristen Stewart, she was fine as Joan Jett.  She looked like Jett and was committed to the role to the point that cut her hair to resemble Jett’s circa 1975, even if it means that she must wear a wig or a weave to portray the character that has thrust her into fame.  In the same vein, I thought it was ironic that Fanning didn’t cut her hair, judging by appearances of her with long hair since this movie premiered, yet I thought her wig looked more realistic than Stewart’s haircut.  I do believe there is a lesson there. J

 

                I liked ‘The Runaways’ for reasons that have more to do with things the movie brought up than the actual film.  I think it is wonderful to see female empowerment from a bunch of L.A. teens.  ‘The Runaways’ were a group that didn’t have a long shelf life but managed to influence many female rockers afterwards – Jett herself went on to have a successful career (I saw her once perform in Kansas City).  On the other hand, I had to wonder where the parents of these girls were at that time.  With that said, it was fun to see Tatum O’Neal in a brief scene as Currie’s mother.  After seeing the film, I also Googled the Hollywood sign because there were some scenes in the movie with the girls hanging around a sad broken down Hollywood sign.  I had no idea that in the 70’s there were a bunch of holes in it.  The story behind the sign is almost worthy of a movie itself.

 

                Overall, I would recommend ‘The Runaways’, if for no other reason, but to witness Dakota’s performance, but there is more to it that makes it worth the time investment.  Further, it is nice to see a movie where there is a same sex kiss and it not be treated as if the sky was falling down on everyone’s head (and yet, that might be the reason ‘The Runways’ wasn’t in wide release – *  sigh  *).  It isn’t necessarily a film that one needs to rush out and see in the theater because I think it would play just as well at home.  I thought the story was compelling; it is based on Currie’s memoir ‘Neon Angel’ even if it felt lacking in some places.  Joan Jett herself is one of the producers, yet I would have liked to know some more of her back-story primarily about her family of origin.  I must confess that I was also interested in what happened to the women after the music died.  Jett, we know, remains in the business.  Sandy West worked in construction and ended up dying a few years ago.  Currie, who I remember from her role as the ill-fated teen in the Jodie Foster starring ‘Foxes’ (where she had the perfect feathered bang) ended up marrying Robert Hays from the ‘Airplane!’ movies (they have since divorced) and now works as, PREPARE YOURSELF…a chainsaw artist.  She has her own website.

     

 

 

 

Westerfield © 2010