the runaways...very disappointing

Rating: 2/10 (17 July 2010)

The long awaited movie the runaways has finally been released in Aussie this week..being a runaways fan from the tender age of 12! (yes 12)to following the careers of Joan Jett and Lita Ford right through to present day I was looking forward to this! hell yeah
Having read both versions of neon angels by Cherie Currie (the first one is quite watered down) the more recent version contains a better portrayal of what these girls experienced under the guidance of Kim Fowley.
Was the film accurate? No, a lot was eliminated.I would think because of the Jett/Laguana camp which is one point I cannot understand,Why Joan would allow herself to be portrayed as a rampant lesbian.For yrs the deal of her sexuality has been ignored/denied.As for the others, they offered Lita Ford a thousand dollar for her life story and she told them where to get off!
There was no mention of Sandy West (rip) at the end of the movie only Joan,Cherie and Kim.. Jackie Fox original bassist was going to sue if they mentioned her as she thought it was crap too!
Kari Krome wrote cherry bomb with Jett for Cherie's audition. there was no mention of her?? Kim was abusive and controlling . I feel the movie portrayed him as an eccentric guy with a caring heart. would I have allowed my daughter to go with him,NO! it shows a shot of him going to see Sandy West, her mum answers the door to him in horror.True,but he was wearing a bright orange jump suit and heavy makeup,it didn't show that, only his reflection in the mirror.
the audition for dodging trash was accurate.
On the road?/ he made Joan in charge?mm don't think so. Scott the tour manager was seducing Cherie Currie who fell pregnant and had an abortion which was not covered.It wasn't made clear how Kim drove a wedge within the band, he pimped Cherie off with well known singer of the day whilst it was that time of the month in the book he uses her up and spits her out out. The corset? she didn't buy in japan,she saw it in a shop window before one of their earlier gigs and changed out of her jumpsuit in a cramped toilet/come dressing room before jumping on stage to the horror of the other girls.
As for the tour of Japan Jackie fox left when her bass was broken and she hurt herself with a broken bottle.
I felt when Cherie character said no, to recording and walked out they made this the end of the band but they went on a further two?more years with albums released but this was not mentioned. or the fact that the girls went in different directions, Sandy and Lita toward metal and Joan a more punk edge. It basically said Joan was "lost" til I love Rock and Roll became a hit.?
According to Cherie's book she worked in a linen store not cake supply shop for less than minimum wage. The scene were you see her trying to buy booze was when she lived with a drug dealer who supplied her in cocaine . Also the scene were she rings her sister to come get her is very close to the phone box scene from the Rose I thought.She was a drug addict but had the support of a loving family til her sister became pregnant and refused to help her anymore.
I feel Dakota did not portray the real Cherie,she is too young and pure.thats not a bad thing!! Kirsten Stewart got Joan's mannerisms down pat but,all we could see was Bella. I think she will be type cast for ever. If you want a true portrayal of life in the Runaways Edge-play by Victory Tisler Blue is the one to watch. She was the replacement bass player to Jackie fox, who has gone on to be a film maker. There are heartfelt and truthful interviews with Cherie, Lita,Jackie, and Sandy Joan was asked to contribute and her and manager wanted to see product and put an injunction on it banning runaways music being used, amongst other things so she wasn't included in the final product. Would I see this movie again?? I don't think so, would recommend you see it?
Not really pay your money take your choice. the runaways music is brilliant, it has always stood out for me, the girls were only 16/17 years old at the time of the runaways first album but they sounded like pros.
There were so many other things in the movie that was wrong, but hey, I didn't live it.! So if you want to listen to great music by a teenage girl band, forget the Donna's, forget Avril Lavigne, the Runaways kicked down the door that led the way for woman rockers!!! well for all girl band that is.. because of them we have Girlschool, L7, Rock Goddess and all the other fine metal woman of today.so kudos to you Joan for having the dream. Lita ford for being the rock goddess you are, Cherie for having the balls to release your story, Jackie fox for being a great bass player, Vicki Blue for replacing her, and RIP Sandy West a girl who only wanted to play rock and roll!!!