The Favourite

Yorgos Lanthimos' movies are not everyone's cup of tea. They are bizarre, shocking and more often than not, very unpleasant. While they always provide a great material for actors to deliver astounding performances I was thrilled to find out The Favourite is the most accessible of his movies. And that turned out to be a correct assessment - though also strange, this film is more a dark comedy than a crazy ride like The Lobster or The Killing of the Sacred Deer.

Miss Sloane & Molly's Game

"Depression and anger gave way to blinding rage at my powerlessness over the unfair whims of men"

This month I saw two movies where the lead role was played by Jessica Chastain - terrific Miss Sloane and entertaining Molly's Game. Chastain was Golden Globe nominated for both, missed the Oscar nomination last year and who knows if she makes it next week. I decided to do a double post feature on them, because while it's Molly's Game that is getting attention right now it's a shame Miss Sloane, a much better movie, didn't get the spotlight last year.

The Imitation Game

The subject of greatness comes up during every Oscar season.  It's usually the story of someone who lived in turbulent time and had either a major love affair or contributed to the world in significant way. Those films are usually beautifully shot, scored with great music and feature well known actors who deliver good, often career best work. And they always get criticized for being filled with cliches and that huge Oscar bait sign they should have attached to them.

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher tells the story based on real events. John du Pont, eccentric millionaire and wresting enthusiast, invited Olympic gold medalist Mark Schultz to stay on his farm and be part of the wrestling team John coaches. The movie details the complicated personalities of two men, their odd relationship and Mark's older brother Dave care for his brother, as well as the inevitable tragedy that occurred on Foxcatcher farm.

Behind the Candelabra

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Moneyball

94/100 (133 min)
Plot: The story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
Director: Bennett Miller
Writers: Steven Zaillian (screenplay), Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), Stan Chervin (story), Michael Lewis(book "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game")
Stars: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright and Jonah Hill

When I was going to see this film I was certain that I will see a typical sports movie - you know, lots of cheering,  the games and the practice, players being worried and nervous, fans being ecstatic as the team wins, etc. But I didn't know that the writer of the script for the film is none other that Aaron Sorkin, who wrote "The Social Network". The two scripts are incredibly similar, as are both movies - they are based on the true story, they have a protagonist whom the writer and the director don't make into instantly likable character, they are centered around revolutionary ideas and the big pay off to them. "Moneyball" is very slow burning, it focuses on the details and giving the movie a sense of  realism, which makes it into a very unusual movie dealing with sports.

Grey Gardens

(104 min, 2009)
Director: Michael Sucsy
Writers: Michael Sucsy (teleplay), Patricia Rozema (teleplay)
Stars: Drew Barrymore, Jessica Lange and Jeanne Tripplehorn

Freedom in the prison of memories

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde

Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Onassis (both named Edith Bouvier Beale aka "Big and Little Edie") raised as Park Avenue débutantes but who withdrew from New York society, taking shelter at their Long Island summer home, "Grey Gardens." As their wealth and contact with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp on reality. They were reintroduced to the world when international tabloids learned of a health department raid on their home, and Jackie swooped in to save her relatives. 
- imdb.com

Had "Grey Gardens" been cinematic release instead of HBO movie, the history of the awards season in 2010 would be so much different.. This is a very unique, character driven film with two fabulous performances - Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore, both in career best turns. The story alone is fascinating - two women, mother and daughter, relatives of Jaqueline Bouvier, refusing to leave decaying estate, living among the filth and stray animals. That story actually happened - in 1975 a documentary was made about the Beales and it was even screened in Cannes.

We meet Beales as Edith senior is still married, little Eddie is objecting to finding a husband and Grey gardens are in their prime. Both women were always very eccentric - Edith loved singing and threw extravagant parties, openly showing affection to her kids' music teacher, even in front of her husband. Little Eddie didn't want to get married, wanted to be an actress and a singer. Both women had incredible joie de vivre, one thing they would never lose. They were warned many times - that the money will run out, that they have to think about their future - but they insisted on living in the present, with no worries, only joy.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

(160 min, 2007)

Plot: Robert Ford, who's idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.
Director: Andrew Dominik
Writers: Andrew Dominik (screenplay), Ron Hansen (novel)
Stars: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck and Sam Rockwell
 

What must be done

"Making "James" was a long and arduous process. There was a well-publicized tug-of-war between director Andrew Dominik, who caught Hollywood's attention with indie title "Chopper" and Warners over the editing of the film. Warners' wasn't entirely in sync with the pacing of the movie, or the length. Dominik was thinking more like 'Terence Malick' in examining the relationship between the famous outlaw and his eventual assassin, Robert Ford, played by Casey Affleck. Warners was in favor of having at least a bit more action. Ultimately, Warners went with Dominik's version, even though Dominik didn't have final cut as part of his contract. Part of the reason was that Pitt, who produced the movie through his Plan B shingle, backed Dominik. At one point along the way, Pitt and exec producer Ridley Scott had put together their own cut. When it tested to only so-so results, they went back to Dominik's. The original cut of "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" was nearly four hours long. It was edited down to two hours and forty minutes, its current run time, at the studio's request. However, it did play at least once at its original 4-hour length, most notably at the Venice Film Festival, where Brad Pitt picked up the Best Actor Award. After the viewing, critics at the festival called the film "majestic.""
- imdb.com

It's funny that Mallick was actually an influence on this movie - unlike horribly boring "The Tree of Life", "The assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" enchants from the very first moments and cinematic magic never fades away from the scenes. Unlike Mallick's pointless drivel this movie has actual story and full blooded characters we care for. Brad Pitt presumably wanted to repeat the artistic success of "James", which he claims is his favorite movie he starred in and that's why he wandered off to Mallick. Well now Mr Pitt has two movies I can't stand in his filmography. The other one being "Troy".

The Young Victoria

(105 min, 2009)
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Writer: Julian Fellowes
Stars: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend and Paul Bettany 

The girl, the queen.

I'm in love with this movie. So rarely I get to see moving, touching, fascinating depiction of reign. "Golden Age" was a huge disappointment, "Alexander" sucked immensely. The only two recent good films about monarchy that come to my mind are "The Queen" and "Elizabeth". And this one is better than both of those, in style and emotions presented, at least.

From few years UK has one historical drama they push to Oscar race - "Pride and Prejudice", "The Dutchess", "Atonement". This time there is no Keira in the movie. And perhaps this is why I loved it. Each year I give my own oscars and I was almost sure I will reward Tilda Swinton for Julia. But no, the hell I won't. Emily Blunt's performance in this movie is masterful. I love this actress - she was superb in 'The Devil Wears Prada' and the best thing about 'Sunshine Cleaning'. In this film she reminded me a lot of young Kate Winslet, before she started her epic award-baiting - I mean lovely, lively and unforgettable Winslet from 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Titanic'. Blunt's role in this movie is just so...beyond words. She plays the queen, but first of all she plays young woman - lively, filled with energy, frolic, proud and joyful. The scene where Victoria finds out about death of the king and the fact she is now the ruler is amazing - Blunt captures so many emotions in such short scene. The movie is worth seeing just to witness her performance, so peaceful and calm and yet complex and filled with passionate emotions.

I had no idea who was in the supporting cast prior to seeing this movie - it turned out to be very impressive ensemble - Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany - great performance - and Rupert Friend, young soldier from 'Boy in striped pyjamas' as prince Albert, Victoria's love interest.

I cannot even express how much I loved seeing a royal couple in love. Usually when we see drama like this the princess always hates her husband and whines for 3/4 of the movie about her fate and usually has passionate, tragic romance with other man. Here the queen and prince were in love and Blunt and Friend had awesome chemistry. I cried like an idiot during the proposal scene.

The score for the movie is beautiful, I have to say in top 5 of that paticuliar year. The costumes are amazing. As for accuracy I believe some things - like Albert getting shot - were made more...spectacular than they really were. But the movie is not only beautiful, it is interesting, funny at times, contains wonderful performances and it holds viewer interest throughout the film. Finally a film, that I will definitely see more than once.

91/100

The King's Speech

(118 min, 2010)
Director: Tom Hooper
Writer: David Seidler (screenplay)
Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter
 

Finding your voice.

“If I am King, where is my power? Can I declare war? Form a government? Levy a tax? No! And yet I am the seat of all authority because they think that when I speak, I speak for them.”

“The King's Speech” tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stammer and considered unfit to be king, following his wife's (Helena Bonham Carter) advice Bertie (Colin Firth) engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.

What does king do? He sits on a throne, one may answer. He rules the country, answers another. But the most correct answer is – he leads the nation. And how does he do that? By speaking to them. But what if the king couldn't express his words and his thoughts would never reach his people? What if the king's had an awful stammer, preventing him from speaking almost all the time?

That story actually happened and as seemingly little as the issue may be, the movie shows how serious it was in reality. England is declaring the war on Germany and it's King's duty to inform his people about it, with proper reassurance, comfort and plead for courage and strength. But first “Bertie”, shy and limited by his own skill to speak must find his own strength. The film focuses on how, gradually, Bertie, thanks to the support of his loving wife (Bonham Carter stars in a shockingly delicate and subtle role, comparing to her usual work that is) and his talented speech therapist, finds his own voice. The techniques Logue uses to diminish the stammer are often amusing and always creative and the collision of the Royal Highness and simple Australian man is thrilling to watch, mostly thanks to David Seidler's witty and smart dialogue.

“King's Speech” also portrays the monarchy as often strict, emotionless and highly honorable institution, but with exceptions – Bertie and his brother Edward are firstly human beings and only then royal sons.. The film shows what happens when one prince falls in love with someone who most certainly cannot become the Queen, what happens when the royal son disappoints his father and that even though those people have to be perfect and reserved in public's eye, they have very strong need for affection. I liked how it shows us the background of all the official meetings and ceremonies – Bertie's daughters greet him when he becomes the king with proper respect but he, as a very loving person and their father, responds by tenderly hugging them.

As with most British dramas about royalty, the movie is deliciously subtle. There are so many tender and beautiful moments – the one that got imprinted in my memory the most is when Bertie plays the record Logue gave him and he discovers, that indeed, when he didn't hear himself he read flawlessly. His wife hears it too and she just stands there quietly, right behind him, overwhelmed with happiness and being proud of her husband. We're observing the family life of Bertie and Logue – they both love their wives and their kids immensely, we see private family moments and we marvel at those ordinary man, who in one case were born into extraordinary situation and with another born with amazing skill to help people overcome their weaknesses.

Colin Firth delivered the best performance of the year in 2009 with his heartbreaking portrait of a man on the verge of suicide in “A Single Man” and he is best in 2010 as well. I didn't think he can act better than he did in Tom Ford's directorial debut, but to my surprise – he can. His stammer is incredibly realistic – very annoying and devastating at the same time. Firth manages to be both moving and funny, strong and weak, lost and determined throughout the movie. He shows incredible range of emotions and skills – his Bertie is a very proud man, very respectful of his duties but also capable of admitting to himself that he really doesn't want them. He has a bad temper and he often declines offers of help, but he is the man enough to admit he was wrong afterward. Far from flawless, but also such an astonishing person, who is able to learn from his mistakes and be brave enough to face his own fears.

Logue is played by Geoffrey Rush, who is perfect for the part. Funny, whimsical and sympathetic Logue respects his student, even though his world is completely unknown to him. Their friendship is very beautiful – it doesn't matter how their lives look and what their duties are, what matters is that they are good people and in the end they found mutual respect and admiration, that as we found out in the end of the film, in reality lasted between them their entire lives.

I was stunned at the beautiful cinematography in the film – it looks ordinary at first glance, apart from making the film stunning, but it's quite clever and creative – notice how insecure Bertie is often only in the corner of the frame, looking very small and helpless. The fog, the cold colors, the hostility of the world and situation – the impending war, the inability to speak, the loneliness and feeling misunderstood is mostly shown in “The king's speech” in the images we see. They help us feel what Bertie feels.

It's not the movie as good and shocking as “Black Swan” or as flawlessly executed as “The Social Network”. But “The King's Speech” has so much heart and warmth in it, it is very hard not to marvel at that.

93/100

127 hours

(94 min, 2010)
Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: Danny Boyle (screenplay), Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Stars: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara

“One pound of flesh, no more no less. No cartilage, no bone, but only flesh. This task done... and he would go free."

“127 Hours” is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (played by James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life .Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident.

The human being will do anything to survive. It's our primary instinct – to live, to go on. Every single one of us would do anything to keep going. But Aron Ralston actually ended up in a situation where he literally got stuck between rock and the the hard place. He got on a trip one day, without telling anyone where he was going and he got stuck, in the middle of nowhere, with his arm crashed by giant rock. There was no one around, nobody heard his screams for help. He was all alone.

There are two reasons for which “127 Hours” is an extremely powerful movie – first, it forces us to think what would we do in such situation. Aron figures out what may be his only way to live very early, but he waits till last moment to do it. In order to live he will have to abandon part of himself and that will make his life considerably worse, not to mention the excruciating pain that comes along with his final decision. That scene is overwhelming to witness. In my life of movie fan I saw hundreds of gruesome, horrifying scenes but I'm absolutely certain that the rumors of people fainting during that sequence are true. I felt not so much sick as dizzy – the content of the scene and the way it is shot is nauseating and I myself experience vertigo during watching it. It's one of the best scenes of the year, it captures the horror and the gore of the unimaginable situation without tiptoeing around the terrible subject matter. And we watch it in astonishment – how much strength and bravery must one have to do something like that?

Persepolis

(96 min, 2007)
Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Writers: Marjane Satrapi (comic), Vincent Paronnaud (scenario)
Stars: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve and Gena Rowlands

Road to maturity

“You'll meet a lot of jerks in life. If they hurt you, remember it's because they're stupid. Don't react to their cruelty. There's nothing worse than bitterness and revenge. Keep your dignity and be true to yourself. “

“Persepolis” is a 2007 French animated film based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The film uses same style as the novel – black and white animation, although it has some scenes shown in color.

In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life.

The Social Network

(120 min, 2010)
Director: David Fincher
Writers: Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), Ben Mezrich (book)
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake

You have 0 friends

“We lived in farms, then we lived in cities, and now we're gonna live on the internet!”

Almost every tenth person on Earth has Facebook account. Incredible. The idea is so simple – it's a site where you can post information about yourself, your pictures, connect with your friends. It's expending rapidly and more and more people log in every day. There is a scene in “The Social Network” where the character is refreshing the page to see if he was added to friends. In another scene girl ask the boy out, but first he must add her on Facebook and then they can talk about having a drink sometime – in old days they would just go out for a drink. I suspect things like that are already happening in the real world where the virtual one is slowly winning people's interest and time. And all of that began with Mark Zuckerberg.
 

Mark isn't exactly socially awkward nerd – he is brilliant, he knows a lot and he speaks his mind. The problem is that he says too much – his girlfriend Erica (Rooney Mara, Fincher's muse in the upcoming remake of “The girl with the dragon tattoo) breaks up with him and calls him an asshole after Mark mocks her university. Then, hurt, he calls her bitch and throws in some other colorful remarks on his blog. He is not an asshole per se – he just doesn't know how to connect with others. Feeling mix of hurt and anger he creates a site where one can judge which of the girls on the screen is hotter. That idea will attract the attention of Winklevoss brothers (Armie Hammer in double role) who want Mark to help them build a social network in Harvard. But Mark will have different idea, all the time lying to the brothers he will help them with theirs. His idea will become Facebook.

Frost/Nixon

(122 min, 2008)
Plot: A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.
Director: Ron Howard
Writers: Peter Morgan (screenplay), Peter Morgan (play)
Stars: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen and Kevin Bacon

"Only one can win, Mr. Frost"

The first duty of a man  is the seeking after and the investigation of truth.

-Cicero

I never liked Ron Howard's movies. I was disgusted when I saw Russel Crowe painting invisible umbrella on the sky for Jennifer Conelly (A Beautiful Mind) and I nearly vomited when Audrey Tautou said 'c'est ne pas possible!' in the butchered adaptation od 'The Da Vinci Code". So when I heard about 'Frost/Nixon' i thought that it's gonna be filled with cheap tricks, pathetic and forced emotional scenes (like the one with Nobel prize in ABM at that point I nearly puked on my TV too).

But what a surprise! Not only is the movie one of the finest ones this year, it is one of the best political thrillers I've ever seen. And what a unique kind of a thriller it is.

I'm not exactly sure what was up with Watergate and prior to the movie I had absolutely no idea who David Frost was. But I was excited and I saw the movie because of the wonderful cast - Michael Sheen, who I adored so much in 'The Queen', Sam Rockwell, who is one of the most underrated actors right now, Kevin Bacon, who was great in 'Mystic River' and he does wonderful things on screen if he doesn't play a vilian and Rebecca Hall, golden globe nominee for new Woody Allen's movie 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'.

The cast is the movie greatest asset. Frank Langella plays Nixon so well that the viewer absolutely looses the idea that he is in fact watching the movie. I don't really know why Mickey Rourke will win oscar this year, since his performance is miles away behind Langella's (and miles MILES away behind Penn's in Milk). Michael Sheen is as good as his opponent, bringing so much life and passion in the character of David Frost, with his eccentric 'Hello, good evening and welcome', his playboy's attitude and his joyful, optimistic approach to things. Olivier Platt and Sam Rockwell are hilarious, especially the latter with his comments and funny look, so different than his other roles. I also greatly enjoyed Kevin Bacon's portrayal of Nixon's bodyguard and right hand, he was terrific and I can't imagine any good reason why neither he nor Michael Sheen aren't nominated for any of major awards this year (beacause nominating them for best ensemble during SAG is simply not enough and that is another piece in hall of shame called 'academy awards').

Kinsey

(118 min, 2004)
Director: Bill Condon
Writer: Bill Condon
Stars: Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Chris O'Donnell

Love is the answer, isn't it? But, sex raises a lot of very interesting questions...

"Sex is as important as eating or drinking and we ought to allow the one appetite to be satisfied with as little restraint or false modesty as the other."
-Marquis de Sade

Sex.

I've been told, many times, that along with money, it's what rules this world. “Kinsey” follows the story of the researcher Alfred Kinsey, a pioneer in the area of human sexuality research, whose 1948 publication "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was one of the first recorded works that saw science address sexual behavior.

He intends to help people, as at the beginning of his marriage to one of the students Mac (Academy Award nomination for Laura Linney). After that Kinsey and Mac's marriage started to benefit a lot from sex, but what I liked about their relationship was how close and respectful they were for each other without it. They had incredibly strong bond, one that reminded me of Russel Crowe and Jennifer Connelly in “A Beautiful Mind” (“Kinsey” is by the way, infinitely better movie), except for the fact Mac was far more understanding and calm. Here is the marriage based on utter honesty. No wonder it worked out well.

Kinsey is portraited as quiet but humorous man who at first was a biologist and did a meticulous study about wasps, in which no one was interested in. He is shown as ordinary man, but a man with great passion and the quest of telling the society the truth. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way he cannot see that there is too much resistance from the others and too much pride in him. Although he didn't succeed in his farther publications, the movie features amazing scene where a woman tells him that after reading his book she decided to tell her friend she loved her and now they live together happily. Because of Kinsey some things changed. But even now, as I type these words, 62 years after publication of his book, there is still so much intolerance in the world. And people still show unhealthy and dangerous interest in something very intimate – who is sleeping with whom and how they do it?

The movie is quite courageous at the beginning and has a lot of great lines (“Everybody's sin is nobody's sin, and everybody's crime is no crime at all. “), it doesn't show Kinsey in crystal clear light – for his research he interviewed pedophiles and didn't report them to the police. There is a lot of talking about sex, most of which I'm sure all of you already heard and known. But to see the people who were unaware of this and now find out about, it's especially impressive, because those are adults, engaged couples, middle aged people.

Kinsey has entire team that helps him - Clyde( Peter Sarsgaard ), who will end up in the bed of both Mr and Mrs Kinsey and Wardell (Chirs O'Donnell) among others. As the studies progress the more extreme it gets – Kinsey films sexual intercourse between the team members and other people. The movie doesn't give you any hints as to what your opinion should be. It's up to you – how much can we sacrifice for the research? Where is the line?

This is one of the best performances given by Liam Neeson, who never gave bad performance. I'm shocked, that quite bland Linney got the nomination and he didn't. He is one of those actors who deserve highest honors in the movie world. He makes Kinsey both pleasant and interesting and at the same time the viewer questions whether what he does is good or not. It's not easy – Kinsey does mistakes, ambition blinds him a little. But thanks to Neeson even during the interview with pedophile Kinsey remains incredibly human and professional as a researcher.

That movie actually frightened me. To know there were people, so many people, unaware of so many things concerning sex is horrifying. At one point of the movie the woman actually asks “Will I be infertile from wearing high heels?”. I'm well aware that there are still people out there, who are either too uneducated or too scared or maybe just shy to discover that aspect of their life and to understand it. Because once you understand it and in case of sex the more you know, the less frustrated you are. But don't worry - the film is not heavy, it has a lot of funny moments.

The movie's third act apart from previously mentioned touching scene is quite weak. The director clearly didn't know what to do next and from thought provoking movie the film turns into formulaic biographical movie. But in the end, it redeems itself. I heard opinion some people are unable to watch entire film because of all the sex talk. I'm surprised by that, after all it's the movie about sex researcher what did you expect? It's definitely worth watching for fans of good biographical films and Liam Neeson.

74/100

The Runaways

(106 min, 2010)
Director: Floria Sigismondi
Writers: Floria Sigismondi (screenplay), Cherie Currie (book)
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Michael Shannon

Queens of Noise

My friend has this thing, that no matter how drunk or even passed out he may be, whenever he hears „I Love Rock'n'Roll' by Joan Jett playing in the background, he just starts dancing. Everyone knows this song. But I'm sure not many people, myself included where aware of Jett's previous project called „The Runaways”.

Based on "Neon Angel," the memoir of lead singer Cherie Currie, the movie revolves around the first rock'n'roll girl band formed in 70's by Jett and other girls, directed by manager Kim Fowley. Soon the band chooses its lead singer – Cherie Curie, barely 15 year old girl of intense presence– looking like half Bardot, half Bowie.

The movie is definitely everything you expect from it to be – it is wild, rebellious and loud. I like movies about music such as „Velvet Goldmine” or „Almost famous”. Sure, the formula is always the same, as it follows the real life – epic rise to fame and than painful fall, mostly due to drugs and alcohol. But „the Runaways” are different because, in such a formerly dominated by man area as rock'n'roll, group of teenage girls shouting about sex, jail and violence from the stage is immensely impressive and quite shocking.

Joan Jett is played by Kristen Stewart, known worldwide from her performance as Bella Swan in „Twilight” movies. Even there Stewart showed incredible potential, but if there is someone doubting her acting abilities he or she should watch „The Runaways” - all of those doubts will perish in a second. She is perfect – she is cool, wild, but also very empathetic and kind. She is capable of pissing on somebody's guitar and reconciling her fellow band members, she is the true heart of this movie. Not only is she extremely believable, she gains audience's trust and sympathy as the true heroine of the film. Stewart met Jett (who is the executive producer of the movie) and she clearly did her homework – her posture, her attitude, her look – it's all not only very close to real Joan Jett, but also a homage to her.

But the movie's focus is set on Cherie played by Dakota Fanning. She is truly outstanding in her role, this part was very difficult and Fanning showed incredible bravery, not for the first time in her career. She emits both strength and vulnerability, she creates very complex performance – at certain parts it almost seems that despite her young age, Cherie knows all too much about the world around her, how to manipulate, how to gain what she wants. At other moments she seems incredibly lost, as if her mind was scattered, shattered to the point she was unable of making any choices or she just didn't care to make them at all. There is something hiding in her eyes in this film – sadness, despair and at certain parts of the film – feeling of superiority and illusion of control.

Both actresses have pretty good voices and it's actually them we hear singing in many scenes. The performances on stage are well filmed - the director of the movie has a lot of experience – she directed some of my favorite music videos ever - „Blue Orchid” by The White Stripes, „Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse and „Megalomaniac” by Incubus. The movie's soundtrack is fantastic, it reminded me of legendary ones for „Velvet Golmine” and „Trainspotting”. The visual side is amazing too – some of the shots in the movie are incredibly inspired and create painful contrast with girls' off stage reality.

The movie doesn't dwell much into girl's background except for Currie – we see her strong relationship with her sister, her alcoholic father and her mother who abandoned her daughters. We don't know much about Jett's back story, the movie focuses mostly on implying how big her passion for music was – we see her playing guitar whenever she can, making her own t-shirts worshiping „Sex Pistols”. Jett was focused on music, not on fame or publicity, Currie was in the band because she wanted exactly that – to be noticed. She had no problem with doing outrageous things in order to gain more attention. As it often happens, her behavior was what broke up the band eventually.

A lot of publicity was gained for the movie due to alleged graphic sex scenes between Fanning and Stewart – those scenes are actually quite subtle and sensual, with timeless “I wanna be your dog” by The Stooges played in the background. This is the movie focused on characters, not on sex or outrageous scenes.

The film is surprisingly good - I thought I'm going to see something like “Thirteen” but instead I saw a movie that is closer to “Velvet Goldmine” than anything I've seen recently. All three performances from previously mentioned Stewart and Fanning and very good Michael Shannon as their manager are the reason enough to see the movie. Don't get discouraged if you hate “Twilight” and everything related to it – you will miss a lot!

80/100