I missed the original airing of this on Showtime, so I checked it out on Showtime on demand. I was pretty young when the Runaways had their climb to success and subsequent fall. But when I was old enough I picked up the records at a local record shop. Novelty or not, I loved the music.
Because of my love of the music, I looked forward to this movie. The story of the Runaways is a classic rock and roll soap opera, a story worth telling. Unfortunately, Victory Tischler-Blue, once known as Vicki Blue one of the bassists for the Runaways, was not the right person to tell it. At least, this movie leads me to that conclusion. Edgeplay tells us more about the dangers of digital video editing software in the wrong hands than it does about the Runaways.
Tischler-Blue's editing leaves much to be desired. In more than one interview she leaves in the interviewers asides. In an apparent attempt at comedy we get to hear Lita Ford announce that she has to pee. Jackie Fox asks if they can take a break but the camera keeps rolling and the awkwardness she hoped to avoid still makes it to screen. Tischler-Blue also fails to make the decisions that would keep her movie from dragging on and save us from needless repetition. She approaches the film in a way that might work on an episode of the Real World or Maury Povich, complete with cheesy cut scenes and b-roll footage, but not in a serious documentary.
Joan Jett does not contribute to this movie. This has made her an easy target for critics and viewers looking for an explanation for the film's short comings. But after seeing this movie I am certain that, whatever her reasons, Jett made the right decisions. Maybe someday we will get to see a documentary where she contributes.
Because of my love of the music, I looked forward to this movie. The story of the Runaways is a classic rock and roll soap opera, a story worth telling. Unfortunately, Victory Tischler-Blue, once known as Vicki Blue one of the bassists for the Runaways, was not the right person to tell it. At least, this movie leads me to that conclusion. Edgeplay tells us more about the dangers of digital video editing software in the wrong hands than it does about the Runaways.
Tischler-Blue's editing leaves much to be desired. In more than one interview she leaves in the interviewers asides. In an apparent attempt at comedy we get to hear Lita Ford announce that she has to pee. Jackie Fox asks if they can take a break but the camera keeps rolling and the awkwardness she hoped to avoid still makes it to screen. Tischler-Blue also fails to make the decisions that would keep her movie from dragging on and save us from needless repetition. She approaches the film in a way that might work on an episode of the Real World or Maury Povich, complete with cheesy cut scenes and b-roll footage, but not in a serious documentary.
Joan Jett does not contribute to this movie. This has made her an easy target for critics and viewers looking for an explanation for the film's short comings. But after seeing this movie I am certain that, whatever her reasons, Jett made the right decisions. Maybe someday we will get to see a documentary where she contributes.