Edgeplay

Watching a documentary about a rock band, I was expecting to see more archival concert footage or hear more music. There are only two concert segments -- both feature covers: Velvet Underground's 'Rock n Roll' and Troggs' 'Wild Thing'. The incidental music backing the interview segments sounds like something out of "Twin Peaks." Perhaps this type of score was selected to enhance the seedy backstory of these girls who were eaten alive and spit out by an unmerciful music industry.

This film is really for fans only. Anyone who doesn't know the backstory of the Runaways might end up confused or bored. But for true Runaways-maniacs, the interviews are quite revealing.

Around the age of seventeen, I learned of Joan Jett when I heard "Weird Al" Yankovic's spoof of her cover of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (called "I Love Rocky Road"). I later learned that she started out as a member of a group in the late '70s called the Runaways, whose hard rock sound marked a sharp contrast to a lot of the bubblegum stuff at the time.

So now I've seen the documentary "Edgeplay", about the Runaways. One of the main things that I noticed was Jett's absence, as she refused to participate and thus only appears in the archival footage. It's mostly interviews with the band's other members, talking about how the group got formed and eventually broke up.

I guess that the documentary will mean more to people who lived through the era and were into the Runaways' output back then. To me it was just commentary about something that I never knew. Even so, I will say that the Runaways turned out some interesting music.

There was later a movie about the group, starring Kristen Stewart in one of the roles. I'll probably see it eventually. In the meantime, this is an okay if not great documentary.

Talking about 'Edgeplay', it's a two-edged sword! I'd like to start with what I disliked: 1) the camera work. Can't the guy hold still for a minute? Shaking the camera up and down and sideways maybe nice for 5 minutes of MTV interviews, but using that style for a 110 minutes documentary is nerve-wracking. 2) A documentary about a band without playing one song of their own material? Must be a first time. Instead, we get stuff from Suzi Quatro and Lita Ford's solo albums in the background. 3) Naturally, the absence of Joan Jett is a big problem. She wants to make her own Runaways picture in 2009, maybe after that we'll get a more complete view of the story.

I'm glad I took the time to watch 'Edgeplay', nevertheless. Especially Cherie has many interesting things to say (and yes, she looks better now than back then). I liked that they interviewed the mothers of Cherie and Sandy as well - understandably, they must have been afraid of what was going on with their daughters far away from home, and nobody every talks about things like that because it's not 'cool' or some stupid reason like that. The picture 'Edgeplay' paints of Lita Ford doesn't omit the dark sides, apparently she is not famous for her patience and self-control. Watching Sandy (the last opportunity before her untimely demise) is touching. Alright, so 'Edgeplay' is interesting for fans to know more about the unique band, but it leaves many viewers unsatisfied, I guess.

A satisfying documentary about the all-girl rock group, The Runaways, made by former Runaway Vicki Blue. Where the recent movie THE RUNAWAYS (2010) felt like something of a white-wash of the story, this is the more informative work in comparison and is certainly recommended viewing for fans. Much of the dirty details are presented here, and we have former band members Cherie Currie, Sandy West, Lita Ford, and Jackie Fox all separately interviewed. So is former manager Kim Fowley. It's unfortunate that Joan Jett declined to participate, but strangely the film still works as a treasure trove of information even without her input. Due to rights issues we only get to see The Runaways performing two cover songs, and most of the soundtrack is courtesy of Lita Ford's solo music and Suzi Quatro tunes. But it's no matter, as the real meat of the production is in the juicy stories the girls relate to us. There are short snippets of some late Runaways footage which is not usually seen that leaves you aching to see more. Filmed in 2004, the parting thoughts are quite unsettling in retrospect when we witness drummer Sandy West pouring out her guts about her fondness for her old band and the regret she feels that they never reunited; tragically, West contracted lung cancer in 2005 and died in 2006. *** out of ****

"'Jail bait' rockers The Runaways tell their own tale -- their hopes, dreams and eventual implosion due to incessant media hectoring, infighting among the band members and chronic drug use. Directed by Victory Tischler-Blue, the film shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians. Includes live performances, a special appearance by Suzi Quatro and new songs by Quatro and Lita Ford."

Note the most important line in this review from Netflix: "shows what it was like for six teenage girls to gain notoriety in an era hostile to female musicians."

Finally, someone who is telling it like it was. That's it in a nutshell. Thank God (some of) those times have changed... on second thought, have they? The whole new crop of girls have probably gone through exactly the same thing. Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Rhianna, what's the difference, really? Some things never change. And worst of all, we do it to ourselves. We imprison OURSELVES. We buy in to the promise of "fame and fortune," and to "be somebody." That's all it takes for the devils of the world - the Kim Fowley's of the world - to capture one's soul and "make them mine."

Fowley was their notorious manager who practically destroyed these girls, stole their money, hearts and soul... yet these girls have somehow managed to survive. Bravo to them for telling their true tale even at this late date. The truth will set you free!

Pretty incredible film. Glad I never got trapped; at least not in that world. I escaped by the skin of my teeth and the Grace of God and all the angels above. Somehow I made a slightly different choice and somehow survived. All it took was "NO" at the moment of truth, the moment of commitment, and the Devil had no hold. And then some pretty fast running! Hahahahahah to all the Kim Fowleys of the world - and a big middle finger holding straight up!

Ten stars for this film, and the women themselves have my GREATEST ADMIRATION. Bravo to you ALL!