Alternative to What: The Runaways (2010)

Left to right: Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning

Welcome to Alternative to What: a weekly column that tries to find a great alternative to driving to the multiplexes. Based on releases of that week, the selections will either be thematically related or feature recurring cast and crew. The goal is to help you better understand the diversity of cinema and hopefully find you some favorites while saving a few bucks. At worse, this column will save you money. Expect each installment to come out on Fridays, unless specified. 

THIS WEEK:

The Runaways (2010)

- Alternative To -

God Help the Girl (2014)

One of the most delightful treats of the year, God Help the Girl, came out today on VOD. It is the directorial debut of Belle and Sebastian singer Stuart Murdoch. The film chronicles a trio of friends as they aim to start up a pop band and turn their miserable lives into something of value. It is quite infectious and stylish in ways that most other films, specifically musicals, haven't been recently. Most of all, the otherwise aimless story is a rather plausible origin story for a real life band of the same name, even if they have been fictionalized. However, four years ago, there was another film featuring help from actual band members and was also someone's directorial debut. I am of course talking about Floria Sigismondi's The Runaways.

Coming during the height of Kristen Stewart's Twilight fame, the film was only a minor success. It didn't really capture audiences at the time, possibly due to marketing. The film, produced by Joan Jett and based off of the autobiography of Cherie Curie, there's a lot that the film gets right about the band. Most notably, the uncanny performances of Stewart and Dakota Fanning as Jett and Curie catapults them out of their comfort zone with a lot of reckless behavior and the idea of being sold as rebellious women. It pulls back the curtain on their history and reflects more complicated issues involving the band's relationships and how their manager (Michael Shannon) screwed them over.

The film itself feels antithetical to God Help the Girl. It isn't nearly as twee or happy. However, both effectively use preexisting music to convey the story. In The Runaways, the typical rock biopic moments are brought to life with energetic covers that flash over their climb to fame. Along with excellent cinematography that blankets scenes in colored lights, it feels like a dizzying trip that is just as confusing as the young protagonists were in the film. Even if it hits all of the familiar beats, Sigismondi's history of directing music videos comes to fruition here and creates something powerful and authentic. It isn't just about the music. It is about the friendship and overlooking the fame. It just happens to have a really awesome soundtrack.

Most of all, the film succeeds on all cylinders. Sigismondi makes the performance scenes into pieces of colorful art, exuding sexuality without being perverse. She tones down when the drama happens, and she gets an excellent series of performances out of her cast. While those besides Curie and Jett are overlooked, it may be to focus on how charismatic the two young performers are in the film. Even providing their own vocals, the film feels like a passionate homage to a rowdy band that most people don't think much of. Sure, it produced Joan Jett, but why should we care about the film and its symbolism towards becoming women? By the end, it all makes perfect sense. It is a live fast, retire young type of mantra.
It is a tough call to make for someone who will love God Help the Girl. However, both films feel structurally similar and are well worth your time. My only hope is that one day Sigismondi will make another film, as her music biopic remains one of the best so far of the decade. Also, it reaffirms that Stewart and Fanning can act. With Twilight, misconception has become a popular opinion. She started out as an indie actress and succeeds when she is in that field. Even then, along with Adventureland and The Cake Eaters, she shows some promise. The same can be said for Browning, whose most recognizable work beyond God Help the Girl is Sucker Punch. It feels like all around, these actresses simply need better scripts more often.