Watch! Solid and well acted biopic

Rating: 10/10 (27 July 2013)

"The Runaways" is an amazing slice of the 1970s and depicts the unexpected rise of an all- girl rock and roll band. This was in a time when women weren't really considered or allowed to be rockers.
The main three actors: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Shannon are each excellent in their portrayals as Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, and Kim Fowley. Stewart encapsulates the tension, edge, and desperation that was a teenage Jett during the time she was frantically trying to make her career happen. Jett lives for the music, whereas Currie did not and that came across beautifully. Shannon acted as the eccentric and off-the-wall, and often vulgar legendary record producer to a tee. Stewart and Fanning have that electric and elusive "chemistry" that Hollywood always seeks for. Their relationship in the film is poignant, and well past believable. The roller rink kissing scene, in particular, where they shotgun a joint is thick with sexual tension. The casting director got this one right.
The supporting cast: Tatum O'Neal, Scout Taylor-Compton, and Riley Keough to name a few were each outstanding in their small roles as family members and for Taylor-Compton portraying metal legend Lita Ford.
However, the music is naturally the driving force behind this film. Stewart, Fanning, and Co. all sang and played very well and very accurately. The "Cherry Bomb" performance is on point and Stewart's roller rink performance of "I Love Playin' With Fire" is the epitome of Joan Jett. The "Dead End Justice" performance is equally well done. No bones about it. The rest of the soundtrack is great. Suzie Quatro's "The Wild One," Bowie's "Rebel Rebel," Nick Gilder's "Roxy Roller," and The Stooge's "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "Gimme Danger" are all excellently placed and suit the scene very well. The inclusion of Jett's post-Runaways songs, "I Want You," and "Crimson & Clover" and "I Love Rock N Roll" are great too.