It’s hard to believe that 16-year-old Dakota Fanning plays teenage pill-popping, sexified rockstar Cherie Currie in The Runaways, considering that four years ago her leading role was Fern in the kids flick Charlotte’s Web.  But the talented and rapidly maturing actress does, and she does it well.

Based on Currie’s biography Neon Angel, the film follows the making of the first ever all-female rock band, The Runaways, consisting of innocent-turned-naughty Currie on lead vocals, as well as the notorious Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) on vocals and electric guitar.  The genius product of Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), a renowned manager of the day, the band goes on a blah, blah, blah predictable trip to fame, only to (big surprise!) become drug-obsessed and fame-saturated, therefore ending in a sudden dismantling complete with catty screams and angry stomp-outs.

The coming-of-age story of 16-year-old Currie and her band will certainly not shock audiences, but I believe the film’s acting will.

As a general rule, I despise Kristen Stewart in all Twilight Saga movies.  But the more I watch her other films, the more I realize that my loathing is for the character of Bella and not Stewart herself.  In all other ways, she is a powerful actress demonstrating a feisty control over the screen in positive go-get-em female roles.

Fanning’s scantily clothed, sexy performance is the perfect breakthrough into more adult roles, opening doors to a long future in world of film.  And for a supporting character, Michael Shannon certainly shines as the quirky, psychotic Fowley.

Blurred camera shots and motion scenes decorated with odd angles send viewers on a trip that is most likely comparable to Currie and Jett’s days of fame and add a peculiar, necessary quality to the experience.  The Runaways may lack suspense, but it does provide an entertaining depiction of one of rock-and-roll’s many outrageous historical events.  If you like fun music, colorful sexy drama, and good acting, this one’s for you.

(Interesting off-track sidenote trivia: In the film’s concluding where-are-they-now recap, viewers learn about Cherie Currie’s current career as a chainsaw artist!  I highly suggest you visit her website, Chainsawchick.com. Simply amazing.)