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The Runaways [Blu-ray]

1 disc
Region 1 USA/CA (info)

The story of the groundbreaking '70s female rock group the Runaways is recounted in this River Road Entertainment production focusing on the duo of guitarist/vocalist Joan Jett (portrayed by TWILIGHT's Kristen Stewart) and lead vocalist/keyboardist Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) as they navigate a rocky road of touring and record label woes under the malevolent eye of abusive manager Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon) during their teen years. Acclaimed video artist Floria Sigismondi directs from her own script, with Scout Taylor-Compton co-starring as guitarist Lita Ford.
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Credits

Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Scout Taylor-Compton, Alia Shawkat, Stella Maeve, Michael Shannon
Critic Reviews

3 stars out of 5 -- "It's a natural born hit....What makes THE RUNAWAYS unique is what made the band itself special: the way they predicted the punk revolution not only musically but by being crafted as an act of provocation."
Box Office
"THE RUNAWAY burst with energy, youth, excess, female empowerment, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll....The vigor and pace is electric..."
Hollywood Reporter
"Writer-director Floria Sigismondi, who cut her teeth in the music video world and is making her feature debut, used her shoestring indie budget to great effect, creating a grainy documentary feel..."
Los Angeles Times
"[T]he film is anchored by a trio of strong performances....Time and place are potently depicted, down to the glittery eye shadow, Farrah Fawcett 'dos and stacked platform heels."
USA Today
"Stewart nails Jett's sinewy swagger....The film shows that the Runaways were authentic -- if packaged -- stars who were out of their depth because they were ahead of their time."
Entertainment Weekly
"The 'Cherry Bomb' scene is a raunchy blast of rock history. And Fanning and Stewart, who do their owns singing, seize the moment."
Rolling Stone
3 stars out of 4 -- "[A] swift, stylized, coming-of-age film about the germinal 1970s all-girl rock band, begins with an audacious, punk-rock florish..."
Washington Post
4 stars out of 5 -- "Shot in grainy, saturated colour, mid-1970s California is conjured up in all its sun-baked glory."
Uncut
3 stars out of 5 -- "Good period detail alone provides amusements....The soundtrack and atmosphere are a blast."
Empire
"[A] subtle little movie....Most of director Floria Sigismondi's career has been in music video, from which she brings useful skills."
Sight and Sound