Runaway Daughters

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: PG-13

Starring:

Julie Bowen as Angie

Holly Fields as Mary

Jenny Lewis as Laura

Paul Rudd as Jimmy Rusoff

Chris Young as Bob

Dick Miller as Farrell

Dee Wallace-Stone as Mrs. Gordon

Christopher Stone as Mr. Gordon

Robert Picardo as Mr. Cahn

Wendy Schaal as Mrs. Cahn

Joe Flaherty as Mr. Nicholson

Belinda Balaski as Mrs. Nicholson

Roger Corman as Mr. Randolph

Julie Corman as Mrs. Randolph

Special Features:

None

Other Info:

Fullscreen (1.33:1)

Dolby Digital Surround Sound

French and Spanish Subtitles

Running Time: 82 Minutes

Synopsis:

This film was originally released in 1994 on television. It is a remake of a 1956 film. The following is from the DVD cover:

“Three naughty teens find more trouble than they bargained for in this sassy comedy adventure starring Paul Rudd (ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES), Julie Bowen (TV’s ED, JOE SOMEBODY), and Dee Wallace-Stone (E.T.). Stuck in 1950’s suburbia, Angie (Bowen), Mary, and Laura are tired of the same old things … and yearn for something new. Everything changes when Mary’s deadbeat boyfriend skips town, prompting the girls to break all the rules by faking their own kidnapping, stealing a car, and chasing him down the highway! But soon, their dangerous travels show them that their sheltered lives might not have been so bad after all! With special appearances by horror master Roger Corman, teen idol Fabian, Cathy Moriarty (ANALYZE THAT), John Astin (THE ADDAMS FAMILY), and Courtney Gains (SWEET HOME ALABAMA).”

Runaway Daughters is rated PG-13 for some teen sexuality and a shooting scene.

The Movie:

Despite being directed by Joe Dante, Runaway Daughters is only mediocre. As a TV movie, the production is rather low budget and the plot isn’t terribly engrossing. The first half is a 50’s teen drama filled with all sorts of clichés. The second half is a bit of a road trip picture with the girls running into one wacky misadventure after another. Dante probably should have chosen either a strictly comedic or dramatic tone for this one. As it is they are mixed and it doesn’t work well.

The most notable thing about Runaway Daughters is the large number of cameos. You have brief appearances by Roger Corman, Fabian, John Astin, Dee Wallace-Stone, and others. Other Dante favorites like Robert Picardo and Dick Miller also have small roles. Seeing them makes the movie a little more interesting, but not much.

The lead actors are decent. Julie Bowen is beautiful and rebellious as Angie. Paul Rudd is amusing as Jimmy Rusoff, the rebel without a clue. (I think of all the characters, his could have been made funnier by satirizing the rebellious teen stereotype.) The other actors and actresses don’t really stand out.

If you’re a fan of Joe Dante or any of the actors, then you might find Runaway Daughters worth checking out. Otherwise you’re probably better off picking out another 50’s ‘dramedy’ or another Joe Dante film.

The Extras:

There are no bonus features on this DVD.

The Bottom Line:

Despite being directed by Joe Dante and having a large number of notable cameos, Runaway Daughters is merely a mediocre TV movie.

Movie News
Marvel and DC
X