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:

In rock 'n' roll, there's a first time for everything. Based on a true story.

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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

Dakota Fanning admitted that she was scared and intimidated by Kim Fowley the first time she met him.

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Goofs

Joan Jett wears leather pants throughout the movie, rather than jeans--see trivia.

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Quotes

Kim Fowley: You hear that? That's the sound of hormones raging.

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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

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.7 (2010)

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Soundtracks

School Days
Written by Kim Fowley and Joan Jett
Performed by The Runaways
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Good Portrayal of Joan Jett / But What About Lita ?

I thought the movie was a good portrayal of Joan Jetts early days. I will give Joan all the credit in the world, she is still making music and performing to this day. What about Lita Ford ?? I mean, when I think of Joan Jett...I think of "I Love Rock and Roll" ...When I think of Lita Ford, I think of songs like "Kiss me Deadly" & "Close My Eyes Forever" which were both huge hits in the 80's. The movie hardly mentioned her. The Movie did not even mention her at the the end when it was giving the updates on where Joan, Sherie & Kim...I think Lita should of at least been mentioned...she is still considered by many to be the Queen of Metal still to this day.