The Runaways

Writer-director Floria Sigismondi tells the story of the Runaways, the pioneering all-girl rock group of the 1970s, especially lead singer Cherie Currie (and based on Currie’s autobiography Neon Angel). As the teenage Currie, Dakota Fanning gives a breakout performance—or at least it would be a breakout if she hadn’t already been making movies practically since she was in the womb (Fanning may be that rare child star, like Kurt Russell or Jodie Foster, who grows into her talent rather than out of it). The Italian Sigismondi gives us an intriguing outsider’s view of the 1970s L.A.-rock scene, with a bravura performance by Michael Shannon as gadfly promoter Kim Fowley. Even the normally wooden Kristen Stewart (top-billed, but playing a supporting role as young Joan Jett) is more interesting than usual.