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21 out of 24 people found the following comment useful :-
Stunning, 29 March 2005
10/10
Author: jeff-869 from United States

Edgeplay is a documentary. It is a film that "documents" the stories and life experiences of 6 women, who were once 6 young girls called The Runaways.

What Edgeplay is not, is another in a seemingly endless string of rock biog's, in which aging rockers wax nostalgic about their first gold record, or their sexual escapades. It is not a typical, unimaginative E! channel collection of interviews with worshipful and obsequious narration, constantly reminding you of the legendary status of the subjects, just in case you didn't know.

Apparently, over the years, with the mounds of praise heaped over recent entries like Metallica - Some Kind Of Monster and Ramones - End Of The Century, the art of documentary seems to have been reduced to :Point a DV camera at a musician in a chair and ask him questions, show scans of nostaligic photos, and point a DV camera at a talking head or critic and allow them to explain why the artist in study is brilliant.

The problem with this tired approach is not only Deja Vu to the nth degree after seeing essentially the same film over and over, but at least to me, an exasperating need on the part of the film-makers to take you by the hand, and lead you like a child to the conclusion they would like you to draw, ala Oliver Stone.

Victory Tischler-Blue seems to have seen as many of these as we have, and decided, luckily for us, that the easy way was the wrong way to tell this often dark and disturbing tale. Admittedly, a static camera and an interesting anecdote can be informative, even absorbing, if the story and the storyteller are good, but there comes a time when you start to ask yourself; "Is this it?" Is this all that can be done with the documentary medium?

Directors normally utilize music as a tool to influence mood in their films, and in the best of examples, it's a tried and true approach. However in Edgeplay, that role is largely taken over by the camera. When Cherrie Currie, begins to relate a particularly sordid tale, the film begins to go faded and jumpy, not unlike the deadly video featured in Hideo Nakata's "Ringu" or the dream sequence in Friedken's "The Exorcist". A short, sudden jumble of nightmarish images and quick edits creates a palpable sense of unease - a sense that the film is trying to tell us something more - sending out a message in a bottle - a visual metaphor that parallels the story as surely and effectively as the pulsing ostinato in "Jaws".

There's a persistent sense of haunting running through some of the scenes that I found impossible to shake-off for hours after I'd seen it.

A good deal of the darkness in Edgeplay derives from the evident bitterness of Cherrie Currie and Sandy West, the two members who arguably suffered the most from their experiences in the band, and seem unable to get past it, continuing to hold grudges (some certainly understandable), and harbor feelings of loss and betrayal almost 30 years later. The final segment of the film focuses on drummer Sandy, who takes you on a very rough journey through her post-Runaways life, in a very short scene, that nonetheless seems to go on forever. The director's camera is merciless in starkly lit close-up, every haggard line in a face that has seen too much, speaks more loudly than any narration or musical cue ever could. Tischler-blue puts us into a stare-down with West that most of us will lose. The pain and regret in her clear eyes is unforgettable.

But there is hope as well. For every tragic heroine and/or victim in Edgeplay, there is also a survivor. There is the unflappable Lita Ford, who not only went on to become the rock star she wanted to be, but seems to remain largely unperturbed by her memories of her time in the band. There is Jackie Fox (Fuchs) who, rather than wallow in self-pity from her negative experience in the music business, ended-up an entertainment lawyer, representing artists and musicians. If that isn't sweet revenge, I don't know what is. And then of course there's Vicki Blue, Director of the film, who after leaving the band, decided to follow her muse into film-making. The hope lies in the sureness of the lessons learned, by Ms. Tischler-Blue, Ms. Fuchs and Ms. Ford that refusal to remain a victim, can render the monsters of our youth toothless.

It would have been nice to have heard from Joan Jett, who doesn't appear in the film except for archival footage, yet her presence, oddly enough is felt just the same.

What makes Edgeplay such a disturbing and yet satisfying experience, is it's utter refusal to tell you how you should be feeling about anything. It very smartly assumes you can decide for yourself who the heroes and villains are, and it does so in such a unique and refreshingly cinematic way, that it makes most of the rock biographies on the video shelf seem like cheap, generic DVD extras in comparison.

Edgeplay can be dark and ominous, exciting and hilariously funny, edgy yet thoughtful, but it is never pedestrian, and never boring. It is a kind-of aerial photograph of the lives of 6 very talented, very complex women, taken from such a height, that we can see where there various paths all went, in a way that is shockingly simple - and yet, isn't hindsight always?

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18 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-
Raw and heartwrenching. Edgeplay blew my mind. Stunning., 31 May 2004
10/10
Author: OffFranklin (OffFranklin@hotmail.com) from Los Angeles, California

I never would have thought that the behind the scenes goings on were like what was explained in this film. I always thought that these girls had it made in the shade. My head spun when I listened to Cherie Currie's depiction of life in the Runaways. But what really brought me to tears was Sandy West's struggle in life. She went from from a teen rock star to a life of crime and prison. Why? What happened to her? She was such a great drummer and had so much potential.

The ending of this film is so completely unexpected and chilling. It made me cry. It made my blood run cold. I can't recommend this film more. If you love rock and roll - see this film: Edgeplay: a film about the Runaways.

Great job Victory!!!!!!!!!!!!

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10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Wow, 31 March 2005
9/10
Author: metalpat from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I don't even know where to start. I've watched Edgeplay three times in the few days since I got it, and still feel as if I am seeing new, dusty corners in a room I grew-up in.

If you are looking for another typical, VH-1 styled look at the fun and excesses of a dysfunctional rock band, this complex film may disappoint you. Edgeplay is not a film intended to excite, gawk, or fawn over it's subjects, and I say subjects rather than "subject" intentionally, as it's a film about people, not about the rock 'n roll lifestyle. There is no whimsy for the joyful free-sex and drugs of the 70's, or any fan-boy enthusiasm for The Runaways as a band.

What there is, is an insightful and compassionate look at a tragic and yet stoic group of young women, who made history, without ever receiving any praise, who made great music without ever selling many records, and who paid dearly in many ways for their now legendary status, with a good part of their childhoods.

Edgeplay is a documentary about the all-girl hard-rock band The Runaways, who so much like their tour-mates The Ramones, set the next two decades on fire, without getting any of the credit or rewards.

Victory Tischler-Blue, the director, writer and conscience of Edgeplay, endured a 6-year trial-by-fire getting this film made and released,(and is a story as compelling as any in her movie), and I think much of the raw honesty and poignancy in this film is in some ways a direct result of that struggle.

There is an almost Dickensian cast of characters: A young, Joan Jett-Talented and driven, yet shy and unsure of herself, Cherie Currie-A striking blonde, who never expected to be a singer, and yet, much like Lana Turner sitting at a soda fountain, was chosen to be one, Kim Fowley-A slimy Svengali who unashamedly preyed on very, young girls to make himself rich, and makes no apology, Sandy West-A tomboyish, young drummer who simply loved playing her drums, and wanted no more than to spend her life doing it, Jackie Fox-A doe-eyed bassist who found out earlier than the others that stardom could be an empty trophy cup, Lita Ford-Fiesty, tough, and driven, and Vicky Blue-The bassist who walked into this dysfunctional family in the midst of meltdown, and yet stayed on the outside enough, and more importantly, grew-up enough to make this incredible film.

I think Miss Blue, ex-band member and director of Edgeplay, knew something that Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind knew. Mrs. Mitchell once said about the theme of her novel, " I often wondered why some people could rise above great adversity, while others, just as brave and smart, go under. All I know is that my daddy called that quality "gumption". I wanted to write about people that had gumption, and those who didn't". Well whether intentional or not (though I expect it was), that is exactly what Miss Tischler-blue has done here.

As most will know, Lita Ford and Joan Jett managed to escape the musical ghetto that was The Runaways, to find great success in the music business. The original bassist is now a successful attorney. Cheri Currie, although never achieving the same level of success, managed to find work in Hollywood for many years, and has continued with a low-profile music and art career. Sandy West, however was plagued with misfortune after her band dissolved, falling into desperately hard times, both financially, and otherwise, and much of this is explored unflinchingly in Edgeplay.

This film works on so many levels that I sometimes am awed by it. When you watch it the first time, you see and hear the story of a rock band. When you watch it a second time however, you begin to become absorbed by the enormous differences in these women. All but one of the members, now in middle-age and 25 years away from The Runaways, still carry deep emotional scars from their experiences, that seem to transcend anything that has happened to them since. All but one of them breaks down on camera in a way that's agonizing to watch. Is it really possible to carry resentment from teen-aged slights and squabbles into middle age? Once the women start talking to Miss Blue's camera, you find out that you can indeed.

The only one who does not seem affected by her experiences so long ago is Lita Ford, who I found, quite unexpectedly, the most fascinating of all. After 4 decades or so of life, I like to think I know false bravado when I see it, and yet in Lita I saw none. It's amazing to watch her face as she walks back over the same old paths as the others while recounting her experiences, and yet, to her, it was almost like describing a movie she had seen, and enjoyed, but could only partially remember; not because it wasn't exciting, but because, well....it was only a movie. Lita ends-up being Edgeplay's Scarlett O'Hara. The one who had gumption.

Of course Joan Jett became a star as well, but we'll never know her thoughts and feelings on things, as she declined to participate in the film. As I understand it, she was violently opposed to the film, it apparently not focusing enough on her, and did everything in her power to crush the film before it could be released. This is utterly mystifying, as her treatment in the film is essentially positive.

Edgeplay is, in many ways, the "Clockwork Orange" of rock documentaries. From the dark, sardonic tales of excess and loss-of-innocence, to the startlingly effective and moody camera-work, (which usually annoys me, but here served a real dramatic purpose for a change), this is a film that anyone can get something out of, whether you're a Runaways fan or not.

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
outstanding insight into The Runaways, 19 August 2005
10/10
Author: hlea42 from United States

Very raw and revealing insight into a young band that was being abuse behind close doors. I would have loved to hear what Joan had to say, giving her take on the band to make this documentary feel complete and finally see all band mates on some level of togetherness but very surprise that everyone involved had compliments for her. Jackie seem to be the most revealing and comfortable talking about the band. There is obviously rivalry and coldest between Cherie and Lita but it sounds like they have gotten pass it with years passing or else they wouldn't have done this documentary. However, out of all the interviews the most heartbreaking and personal depth shown was Sandy's account, especially towards the end bringing me to tears, it was very touching emotionally, making her account so real that it's hard to forget the damage that was done. Also, it's sad that this band isn't recognized for it's influence in music, paving the way for female rock bands, which Vicki has done an excellent job making this of importance!

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Not as good as "End Of the Century", but a lot better than VH-1, 12 July 2006
Author: lazarillo

Although I'm not a big fan of the Runaways, I'm very interested in this era of the Los Angeles music scene (being too young and stuck in Wyoming at the time). Like the big screen doc. "End of the Century" about the Ramones, this gives a good background of the scene and era and like other reviewers have said is miles ahead of VH1 canned nostalgia crap.

It was interesting to see the band members now. I always thought of Cherie Currie as a drugged-out, bleach-blonde piece of pedophile bait (who reminds me more of that uber-sleazy 70's hit "Hot Child in the City" than any song she ever personally sang). Well in middle age she looks healthy, VERY attractive, and surprisingly intelligent and well-spoken. Lita Ford is the same as she's always been, and Joan Jett was conspicuous in her absence. They interviewed pretty all the other, more obscure band members, but I would have liked them to talk more about some of the other figures in the nexus of the Hollywood music and low-budget movie scene--i.e. Cheryl "Rainbeax" Smith, a famous groupie and drive-in movie actress who sometimes played drums for Joan Jett (and died recently), and Sondra Currie, another actress and the older sister of Cherie and Marie.

The documentary was not all nostalgia though. It danced around some lurid claims of verbal and possibly sexual abuse involving the bands scummy manager. In addition, to showing how sleazy the music business can be, the documentary also shows how irresponsible parents can be in turning their children over to somebody who's supposedly going to make them famous (a moral lesson perhaps?). Mostly though this gives a good sense of the era and will probably please fans of the band. Not as good as "End of the Century" perhaps but better than anything you'll see on VH-1.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Neon Angels on the Road to Ruin, 18 January 2009
6/10
Author: sheenafilm from Hamburg, Germany

Talking about 'Edgeplay', it's a two-edged sword! I'd like to start with what I disliked: 1) the camera work. Can't the guy hold still for a minute? Shaking the camera up and down and sideways maybe nice for 5 minutes of MTV interviews, but using that style for a 110 minutes documentary is nerve-wracking. 2) A documentary about a band without playing one song of their own material? Must be a first time. Instead, we get stuff from Suzi Quatro and Lita Ford's solo albums in the background. 3) Naturally, the absence of Joan Jett is a big problem. She wants to make her own Runaways picture in 2009, maybe after that we'll get a more complete view of the story.

I'm glad I took the time to watch 'Edgeplay', nevertheless. Especially Cherie has many interesting things to say (and yes, she looks better now than back then). I liked that they interviewed the mothers of Cherie and Sandy as well - understandably, they must have been afraid of what was going on with their daughters far away from home, and nobody every talks about things like that because it's not 'cool' or some stupid reason like that. The picture 'Edgeplay' paints of Lita Ford doesn't omit the dark sides, apparently she is not famous for her patience and self-control. Watching Sandy (the last opportunity before her untimely demise) is touching. Alright, so 'Edgeplay' is interesting for fans to know more about the unique band, but it leaves many viewers unsatisfied, I guess.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Interesting band, not so interesting documentary, 23 September 2006
6/10
Author: dragonflypurple from Canada

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The Runaways are my favorite band. So I was very excited when I found that there was a documentary about them. However, I thought that the documentary was disappointing. While the information and people were very interesting, I thought it was badly made. It wasn't unified at all- it was just a random collection of interviews. Also, many of the interviews went on for far too long and really should have been edited. To top it off, there was all this weird slo-mo footage interspersed with the interviews of Sandy West running, or of some random girl being tied up, that seemed way too melodramatic, and just made me want to laugh. Despite all this, I still enjoyed this movie to some extent. The story of the band is fascinating, and it was interesting to hear about it directly from the mouths of the original members (except for Joan Jett, who wasn't in the movie at all). I've heard some people complain about this movie because of the people involved- "Lita Ford's 'tell it like it is' attitude is so lame and boring... Sandy West is so bitter and pathetic, I mean come on! suck it up" What these people forget is that Sandy and Lita and all of them are real people. They aren't characters. They can't help acting the way they are. They aren't unbiased storytellers, they are still products of what happened to them when they were in the runaways and later. That is the most interesting part of the movie. I almost cried when Sandy started talking about how she wished the band would just get back together. Sure it was a bit pathetic. But it was completely honest, and just showed how horrible her life has been.

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Surviving the '60's & '70's - have things really changed?, 11 September 2008
10/10
Author: Catherine Todd (ctodd1000@gmail.com) from Oxford, North Carolina, USA

"'Jail bait' rockers The Runaways tell their own tale -- their hopes, dreams and eventual implosion due to incessant media hectoring, infighting among the band members and chronic drug use. Directed by Victory Tischler-Blue, the film shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians. Includes live performances, a special appearance by Suzi Quatro and new songs by Quatro and Lita Ford."

Note the most important line in this review from Netflix: "shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians."

Finally, someone who is telling it like it was. That's it in a nutshell. Thank God (some of) those times have changed... on second thought, have they? The whole new crop of girls have probably gone through exactly the same thing. Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Rhianna, what's the difference, really? Some things never change. And worst of all, we do it to ourselves. We imprison OURSELVES. We buy in to the promise of "fame and fortune," and to "be somebody." That's all it takes for the devils of the world - the Kim Fowley's of the world - to capture one's soul and "make them mine."

Fowley was their notorious manager who practically destroyed these girls, stole their money, hearts and soul... yet these girls have somehow managed to survive. Bravo to them for telling their true tale even at this late date. The truth will set you free!

Pretty incredible film. Glad I never got trapped; at least not in that world. I escaped by the skin of my teeth and the Grace of God and all the angels above. Somehow I made a slightly different choice and somehow survived. All it took was "NO" at the moment of truth, the moment of commitment, and the Devil had no hold. And then some pretty fast running! Hahahahahah to all the Kim Fowleys of the world - and a big middle finger holding straight up!

Ten stars for this film, and the women themselves have my GREATEST ADMIRATION. Bravo to you ALL!

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7 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Now, this is a documentary..., 25 August 2005
10/10
Author: lambiepie-2 from Los Angeles, CA

Let me be honest before expressing my thoughts publicly: Not only was I a big fan of "The Runaways", but I had the opportunity to meet Sandy West and Joan Jett and Kim Fowley on my first trek out to Los Angeles, California in the 80's and working with musicians who worked with ... each other. So my views many read a bit biased - but I am a fan first above all else.

Let me point out what is very important to all who ever see this documentary - is that "The Runaways" were, are and always will be -the first female rock band that garnered attention and pricked up the music business ears that females can have a band, can ROCK and are well trained to do so.

When the Go-Go's and The Bangles came out, I am sorry, I always saw them as second best and in the case of musicianship - very manufactured. The Runaways rocked and that was so important to open the doors to other female musicians that followed after them and did the same.

This documentary gets into documenting 'The Runaways' and what they went through in five years. Although at times in the film I felt they held back on much that I remember happening to them at the time that they did not wish to get into, they went through enough to let you know. I am extremely proud of Vicki Blue (yeah, I know!)doing this project BEFORE others who may have more more money or other ambitions get hold of these ladies lives and do it. This is the keeper.

The Runaways were SO ahead of their time. Each of them...and as a group. It is stated that "someone has to be first" and in doing so "doesn't get the recognition they deserve". I hope this documentary spurs new dialog and recognition about them. The Runaways are a triumph and a tragedy and this documentary gives you pause to think about each of it. And you should.

These are a talented group of women who were brought together for a nice idea and got abused all the way. As a teen, you only want to do what is best...and for many of them it was the music. Here you learn just how much goes into this and what seeps in to push and break personalities, egos, mental health, family, residuals, sexual health, etc. in this entertainment industry.

These ladies need to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before anyone else (Hear me, Jan?!?!?!)that is the least that should be done.

Next, this documentary should be nominated for an Academy Award. The RAW techniques in film documentaries are here, and it places a document of a time, a place and lives that HAS happened. Raw emotion, raw nerves and even the "forgetting" of memories. This is a clean documentary done in the "old fashioned way" -- as a documentary.

A reunion tour? Well, that is quite clearly up to each of these ladies. It's their decision to do it...and WHAT they would do it for. Could be the greatest thing on earth...and then, could be a major faux pas in this day and time for promoters, et al. because of the past feelings, etc. It's all be up to them. But these women should be very smart by now and know whats coming before they get into it.

Regardless, this documentary is the one to see and get an understanding. Bless them all.

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Missed Opportunity, 5 September 2007
8/10
Author: rockabilly-1 from United States

This is very well done, and is very informative and fans of the band will find this engrossing. But with the recent death of Sandy West, the lack of participation in this documentary of Joan Jett is very sad. Let's face it, there will never be another documentary about this band, that will have the opportunity to tell the true story, or at least the story of the band from each of the major participants. It's very sad that after all this time the participants in this story could not put their differences aside for long enough to put on film their story and feelings about their memories about this unique and very neglected band. Or maybe the fact that they could not, is the true story of how horrible this experience was for the young women who lived it.

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