Focusing on the three personalities of Joan Jett (electric guitar and songwriting), Cherie Currie (the wild lead singer) and Kim Fowley (unscrupulous manager) The Runaways is a brief account on the success story of the first all-female rock band in American history.

Oozing sex, drugs, excess and rock 'n' roll, the film performs very well in the photography and lighting arenas, for it reflects naturally the colourful period of the 70s in which is set, when the band had their run (1975-79).

It also does well at portraying The Runaways as doing history, not only for being the first all-female rock band but for the fact that as such they certainly mimicked all the disastrous ego battles and drug consumption sprees which the all-male rock bands of the time were usually affected by too.

It delivers in offering the music of the Runaways, even if it reduces four years of music career (from their rise to fame to their self-destruction and eventual fall-out) into what it seems the time it could have taken them to embark on a road trip to Las Vegas, from Boulder City.

The characters are not written putting enough substance into them, and this is a serious flaw when you have a base of real personalities that you can work from. Although Jett's ambition is sufficiently portrayed, not so much of her passion for music is reflected.

This is however saved by the good performances of the three main actors, especially Dakota Fanning, whose acting is brilliant in this film, and Michael Shannon.

Kristen Stewart does a remarkable job at portraying Joan Jett's mannerisms and quirks.

Entertaining and energizing, but unfortunately not a film that will stay long in your memory.

'Cherry bomb' might do, though.