Have ya, grab ya til your sore

Today I went to see "The Runaways" with my crony Stacey. We conquered the wind and rain along the treacherous highway to worship at the shrine of K-Stew and D-Fanning. I am a long time admirer of the Fanning, I think she has some hardcore talent and will actually end up having a lifelong career as a successful actress. I appreciate that she has paid her dues doing controversial flicks *Hounddog* because the box office doesn't tend to favor films with America's sweetheart getting raped and generally shat upon. "The Runaways" is another such film that wont appeal to the "I am Sam" or "War of the Worlds" fans of Fanning's work. The film features Fanning as Runaways frontwoman Cheri Currie,being crass and vulgar while she writhes, wriggles, menstruates and glitters. Many wont be ready to see the 16 year old (then 15) engage in casual and not so casual drug use, scandalous behavior and a little girl on girl action.

I on the other hand was more than ready. I was psyched to see Dakota put on her big girl pants and play a total trainwreck of a woman, and she did, and it was awesome. The film should have really been called "The Rise and Fall of Cheri Currie" because the film completely centered around Fanning's character. K-Stew as Joan Jett was such a minor character, maybe it reflects how she took a backseat in her own band. It's fitting that she played second fiddle because her acting abilities just don't measure up to those of the great D-Fanning. K-Stew was a perfect choice and she fit the role of Jett perfectly but the character wasn't any different from her previous hair cut. She was essentially Bella from Twilight with a bad mullet and a backbone who was totally in love with rock and roll instead of Edward. They both have an unhealthy attraction to glitter.
The plot of the film was actually a lot slower than I thought it would be. I found it dragged in a lot of spots and there was not a ton of moments that really grabbed the audience. It was sort of a ramble of a film, but it was beautifully shot. Which figures because it was written and directed by Floria Sigismondi. This is Sigismondi's first feature film, her day job is as a photographer and short film/music video director. This being the first film she's written would explain why the plot lags a little and why the film is more beautiful than it is stimulating.

She has directed amazing music videos for artists such as The White Stripes and The Cure. Her website is definitely worth checking out: www.floriasigismondi.com
I definitely overall enjoyed this film and will be for sure buying it (previously viewed) and watching it again. Ultimately the film's story is very important as it details the experiences of women trying to make it in what is ultimately a mans industry, figures that it would have a female director.

Another film that I discovered researching this film is "Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains"

This film was also written by a woman, who used a man's name in the production because she was not pleased with the final product. The film features a young Diane Lane and Laura Dern who are a couple of restless teenage girls who start a punk rock band to get out of their boring town/lives. Like "The Runaways" both films tackle the struggles early female groups faced in trying to promote their sexuality without selling it. Both films ultimately bring the concept of "putting out" into question.
I'm going to finish this blog with one of my favorite Sigismondi videos and the trailer for "Fabulous Stains".