The Runaways (2010)

A coming-of-age biographical film about the 1970s teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways. The relationship between band members Cherie Currie and Joan Jett is also explored.

Director:

Floria Sigismondi

Writers:

Floria Sigismondi (screenplay), Cherie Currie (book)

Stars:

Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristen Stewart	...	Joan Jett
Dakota Fanning	...	Cherie Currie
Michael Shannon	...	Kim Fowley
Stella Maeve	...	Sandy West
Scout Taylor-Compton	...	Lita Ford
Alia Shawkat	...	Robin
Riley Keough	...	Marie Currie
Johnny Lewis	...	Scottie
Tatum O'Neal	...	Cherie's Mom
Brett Cullen	...	Cherie's Dad
Hannah Marks	...	Tammy
Jill Andre	...	Aunt Evie
Ray Porter	...	Band Member
Kiaya Snow	...	Cashier
Allie Grant	...	Club Girl

Storyline

In 1975, San Fernando Valley teen Joan Larkin reinvents herself as Joan Jett, a guitarist who wants to form an all-girl punk band. She pitches the idea to a sleazy manager, Kim Fowley, who pairs her with a drummer and then searches for a face: he finds Cherie Currie, at age 15, the perfect jailbait image for his purpose; by luck, she can sing. Two others round out the band, The Runaways. Fowley books a tour, signs them to Mercury Records, and packs them off to crowds in Japan. Seeds of conflict sprout early: Fowley puts Cherie front and center in the publicity, she's soon strung out on drugs and vodka, and jealousies arise. Without adult supervision, where can Joan and Cherie end up?

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | revisionist history | triple f rated | feminist film | cherry bomb | 

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Taglines:

It's 1975 and they're about to explode.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use and sexual content - all involving teens

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 March 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Neon Angels

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$805,115, 21 March 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,571,735, 30 May 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

River Road Entertainment, Linson Entertainment, Blackheart Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene where Cherie tries to buy alcohol was filmed in a Kosher grocery store. The managers tried to kick the whole production out of the store and the actors and crew had to bargain with the managers to stay and complete the scene.

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Goofs

When Cherie calls her sister Marie from a telephone both, she inserts coins before she has even lifted receiver, then dials; call would never go through unless she had lifted receiver first.

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Quotes

Cherie's Mom: Places everybody! Places! Come quickly, I have the most wonderful news!
Marie Currie: What's all the commotion about?
Cherie's Mom: Well, we're moving to Indonesia!
Marie Currie: What? What do you mean?
Cherie Currie: What do you mean, "we"?
Marie Currie: You're leaving? You're leaving us?
Cherie's Mom: No. No. Nobody's leaving anybody! We're a family. We'll always be a family. This is just something that we have to do right now.
Cherie Currie: Why?
Cherie's Mom: Wolfgang and I are getting married and, and he lives in Indonesia. You girls are welcome to come along. I've spoken to your father and he says ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The UK version removes the glue-sniffing scene in order to obtain a 15 rating (and thus avoid a higher 18 rating).

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.10 (2010)

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Soundtracks

I Wanna Be Where the Boys Are
Written by Kim Fowley and Roni Lee
Performed by The Runaways
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Starry, Starry Night

Greetings again from the darkness. Getting dragged back to the mid-70's can be quite fun, especially when the topic is rock 'n roll. Based on lead singer Cherie Currie's autobiography, this film provides an overview of the formation, sudden fame, and equally sudden dismantling of the first all-girl's rock band, The Runaways.

Joan Jett was the heart of the band, but it took oddball music producer Kim Fowley to put the band together and get the recording deal. Fowley may be the most interesting character in this story. Here he is played with force by the very talented Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road).

Instead, the story focuses on Cherie Currie and Joan Jett, mostly Currie, since it is her book! Dakota Fanning plays Cherie Currie as a confused 15 year old with a messed up family life. The family includes a mom, played by Tatum O'Neal, who announces she is getting married and moving to Indonesia. Currie's dad is a very sick alcoholic, so she is an easy recruit for Fowley and Jett. Jett is played balls-out by Kristen Stewart. Yes, Kristen Stewart from Twilight. Here she shows much more of the talent we saw prior to the Twilight series. She captures the fire and spirit of Joan Jett and leaves little doubt she will pursue her dreams despite all obstacles.

Overall, the script comes up short and provides us little more than headlines and a quick glimpse. Would have expected much more on talented guitarist Lita Ford, who continues to work today. For a quick intro to the story of The Runaways, this one is fine. Just don't expect much depth.