Roger Ebert puts his critical eye to give The Runaways starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning‘s new chick flick, a good review. Here’s what the man has to say about this indie film depicting the epic story of historic girls of rock n’ roll:
“The performance abilities of the Runaways won respect. The rest was promotion and publicity. The film covers the process with visuals over a great deal of music, which helps cover an underwritten script and many questions about the characters. We learn next to nothing about anyone’s home life, except for Currie, who is provided with a runaway mother (Tatum O’Neal), a loyal but resentful sister (Riley Keough) and a dying, alcoholic father (Brett Cullen). Although this man’s health is important in the plot, I don’t recall us ever seeing him standing up or getting a clear look at his face.
“So this isn’t an in-depth biopic, even though it’s based on Currie’s 1989 autobiography. It’s more of a quick overview of the creation, rise and fall of the Runaways, with slim character development, no extended dialogue scenes, and a whole lot of rock ‘n’ roll. Its interest comes from Shannon’s fierce and sadistic training scenes as Kim Fowley, and from the intrinsic qualities of the performances by Stewart and Fanning, who bring more to their characters than the script provides.”
Scripting issues aside (not every film can be a Twilight Saga classic), let’s support these great girls, their talents in Young Hollywood as ambassadors of Arts and Culture in this historic biopic of women who trail blazed a way in music for performers today like Lady Gaga et al. No pain, no gain, is their message. Let’s suck it up and wurq harder! Years later, the work is seen. Courage is needed. This is a good film.
~Source: Roger Ebert. Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.18.2010~
