First Look From Sundance: Floria Sigismondi’s ‘The Runaways,’ Mark Ruffalo’s ‘Sympathy For Delicious’

Here is the first official still and synopsis from Floria Sigismondi’s upcoming biopic, “The Runaways,” courtesy of the Sundance website.

Starring, among others, Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, the film reportedly has a running time of 105 minutes and credits Currie’s “Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story” as source material.

What resonates most from the following film synopsis is that it seems to imply that opposed to an out-and-out Runaways biopic, the film will seemingly focus on the relationship between Jett and Currie. The picture, of course, faced a few legal speed bumps during production thanks to other band members but hopefully Sigismondi didn’t have to compromise her film because of it. And where is this trailer they speak of? Surely, it must be out soon if they expect us to understand the “mosh pits of Tokyo” reference. Here’s the synopsis:

Of all the bands to come out of the 1970s Los Angeles music scene, The Runaways are by far the most uniquely fascinating. This is partially due to their music but more so to the fact that they were teenage girls whose wild and reckless lifestyle was the stuff of legend.

Focusing on the duo of guitarist/vocalist Joan Jett and lead vocalist Cherie Currie as they navigate a rocky road of touring and record-label woes, the film chronicles the band’s formation as well as their meteoric rise under the malevolent eye of an abusive manager.

Acclaimed video artist Floria Sigismondi directs from her own script, and her luscious camerawork captures every sweaty detail—from the filthy trailer where the women practice to the mosh pits of Tokyo. What really makes the film cook are the sizzling performances by Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart. Not to be missed, “The Runaways” is an ode to an era and a groundbreaking band.

The film also stars Michael Shannon as the band’s infamous manager Kim Fowley; Scout Taylor-Compton as guitarist Lita Ford and Stella Maeve as drummer Sandy West. Alessandra Torresani was bumped off the picture. Initially she was set to play Ford, bu Taylor-Compton took over the role. We speculated that Torresani could play one of the Runaways’ short-lived bassists, Jackie Fox, but the lawsuit that the real-life Fox introduced, got her promptly written out of the script (though Joan Jett insists she was never part of it).

Another film featured on the Sundance website is Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut, “Sympathy For Delicious.”

The first official still provides our first look at the film’s screenwriter and protagonist, Christopher Thornton as DJ “Delicious” Dean, alongside Orlando Bloom’s rockstar character who was previously photographed on set.

‘Delicious’ also stars musician/actress Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney and Noah Emmerich and has a reported running time of 98 minutes. Here’s the synopsis:

Recently paralyzed DJ “Delicious” Dean battles the mean streets of Los Angeles, struggling to survive in his wheelchair. Yearning to walk again, and fighting to spark the ashes that were once his career, Dean turns to the dubious world of faith healing and gets much more than he bargained for. Lured by easy money and the heat of fame, Dean sells out to an unstable rock band, stomping the dreams of so many who see him as their only hope. World-famous DJ “Delicious” must now tackle his own worst demon—himself—if he is ever to conquer his “handicap” and find true healing.

Written by and starring Christopher Thornton in a gripping performance as the fiercely determined deejay, “Sympathy for Delicious” is a wildly original story. Mark Ruffalo makes an auspicious directorial debut with a gritty, yet fervent, take on the search for meaning amidst tragedy and the redemptive power that is compassion.

The film is being scored by Canadian orchestral indie rockers, The Besnard Lakes, and will feature music written by Shiny Toy Guns performed by The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala who will act as a vocal stand-in for Bloom’s musician character on at least one song.

“Sympathy For Delicious” premieres on the 23rd of January at Sundance while “The Runaways” screens for the first time the next day.