The Runaways (2010 film)
A coming-of-age story about the 1970s rock band The Runaways.
Floria Sigismondi made her feature film directorial debut with *The Runaways*, a 2010 American biographical drama she also wrote. The movie is based on *Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway*, a 1989 book by Cherie Currie, the band’s lead vocalist. It follows the formation of the all-girl 1970s rock band in 1975 and centers on the relationship between Currie and rhythm guitarist Joan Jett, ending with Currie’s departure. Dakota Fanning plays Currie, Kristen Stewart plays Jett, and Michael Shannon portrays record producer Kim Fowley. The film earned about $4.6 million worldwide and received generally favorable reviews from critics.
The plot begins with Cherie Currie, a Los Angeles teenager who dreams of becoming a rock star and idolizes David Bowie. In a fictionalized scene, she wins her high school talent show by lip-syncing to “Lady Grinning Soul.” Meanwhile, Joan Jett meets producer Kim Fowley at a club, and he connects her with drummer Sandy West. Fowley suggests they find an attractive blonde like Brigitte Bardot. Kim and Joan spot Cherie at a club and invite her to audition. She performs “Fever” instead of the requested Suzi Quatro song, and Kim and Joan then have her sing “Cherry Bomb”—a song they had already written together before Cherie joined the band, not improvised on the spot. Cherie joins the band, which also includes Lita Ford on lead guitar and Robin on bass. Joan and Cherie share a kiss, though their relationship is not explicitly shown.
The Runaways sign with Mercury Records, release an album, and tour Japan. After a concert, Lita throws magazines at Cherie because they feature only her in sexy photos, contrary to what Kim had promised. An argument erupts, and overenthusiastic fans break through a window, forcing the band to flee. Cherie’s drug use escalates, leading to an overdose in a hotel elevator and hospitalization. Back in the U.S., she abuses her alcoholic father’s painkillers. At a studio session for their next album, Cherie refuses to sing after reading a cruel comment Kim made about her in a magazine. Lita insults Cherie for being more popular, and Cherie insists she never asked for it. Kim orders her to sing, but she quits and leaves. Joan is furious, and the band dissolves. Cherie returns home, while Joan forms Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Cherie collapses in a phone booth after trying to buy cheap liquor, and her twin sister M
- Release year
- 2010
- Director
- Floria Sigismondi
- Based on
- Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie
- Starring
- Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon
- Genre
- Biographical drama
- Worldwide gross
- Around $4.6 million
- Critical reception
- Generally favorable reviews
Quick Facts
- Director
- Floria Sigismondi
- Based On
- Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway (1989) · Cherie Currie
- Producer
- John Linson / Art Linson / Bill Pohlad
- Starring
- Dakota Fanning / Kristen Stewart / Michael Shannon
- Cinematography
- Benoît Debie
- Editing
- Richard Chew
- Music
- Lillian Berlin
- Studio
- River Road Entertainment / Linson Entertainment
- Distributor
- Apparition (United States) / Summit Entertainment (international)
- Released
- 2010 · 1 · 24 · Sundance · 2010 · 3 · 19 · United States
- Runtime
- 106 minutes
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
A few years later, Cherie works in a local bakery and hears Joan's cover of 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' on the radio. In a fictionalized scene, she calls the station, where Joan is visiting for an interview. After an awkward conversation with Joan and radio host Rodney Bingenheimer, Cherie says her goodbyes and continues working, smiling when Joan's next song, 'Crimson and Clover', comes on the radio. (Note: Joan Jett's version of 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' was released in 1981, and this specific scene is a creative liberty; there is no documented real-life event of Cherie calling a radio station and speaking with Joan and Rodney Bingenheimer in this manner.)
Reader's Guide
The Runaways is significant as a biographical drama that focuses on the personal relationship between Cherie Currie and Joan Jett, rather than a comprehensive band history. Director Floria Sigismondi, making her feature film directorial debut, aimed to create a coming-of-age story capturing what it was like to be young girls thrown into the rock 'n' roll world. The film received generally favorable reviews, with critics highlighting the performances of Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, and Michael Shannon. Cherie Currie praised Fanning's performance but noted that the film is a lighter version of the true story, while Joan Jett felt it captured the era's music and intensity but was mischaracterized as a literal biopic. The film's legacy lies in its portrayal of the band's formation and dissolution, focusing on the emotional journey of its two central figures.
Did You Know?
- The film is based on Cherie Currie's 1989 memoir Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway.
- Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart took vocal lessons and learned to play their characters' instruments for their roles.
- The film's world premiere took place on January 24, 2010, at the Sundance Film Festival.
- The film includes 34 credited songs, with 20 left out of the official soundtrack.
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