Jailbait Jackpot

Rating: 6/10 (20 March 2010)

Like most good rock biopics The Runaways thrust the audience into the artists shoes by giving you a first person account of their rise & fall. Sometimes its two members of the band who burned the brightest like Lennon & Mccartney.Often it is one like Morrison or Wilson. Well this generation Twilight version hones in on Jett & Cherie played by Dakota Fanning & Kristen Stewart. Stewart steals the show as Jett & Fanning moves ever so closer to becoming a legitimate actor. I cant say that im a huge fan of the band only that I went to see this purely to be entertained & that I was. Until the last 1/2 when it felt like they had to wrap it all up neat & quick.Something feels missing like they just jumped ahead too suddenly too fast. Michael Shannon as Kim Foley is right on par with Stewart. Then again I've yet to see him in something where I didn't like his performance. Floria Sigismondi is better known for her surreal & abstract videos & photography.Being that this is her first movie i'd say she did an exceptional job. I will be looking forward to see what she does next.
Now the reason im really writing this is because of what happens in the pre credits follow up. We are told about Jett & Cheries post Runaways life then fade to black. It was literally a WTF moment for me.
Ummmm what about Sandy West drummer & founder who died of cancer in 06? Or Lita Ford who went on to record a number of solo records in the 80's? The only exception here is bassist Jackie Fox who refused to give them the rights to her likeness.
Shame on you Joan Jett. Preaching about unity in the face of abandonment by your family only to steal credit away from the women you claimed to be your only family. I can understand a little mystique & hyperbole to enhance the experience but not hypocrisy.Not when the message is so clearly laid out & draped over all the nonsense. Am I being too picky maybe but this is called The Runaways. If Jett & Cherie wanted all the credit why not call it what is, Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway?!?!?!?!?
There's a doc out there about The Runaways called Edgeplay look for it. I haven't seen it but im on the hunt for it.