Summary:

When erstwhile rock ‘n’ roll groupie Suzette (Goldie Hawn) is fired from her long-held bartender job at the Whiskey a Go-Go, she heads for Phoenix with the vague hope of getting some money out of former fellow groupie Lavinia (Susan Sarandon), who has married well, raised two daughters and left her wild lifestyle in the past.  En route, she meets failed writer Harry (Geoffrey Rush), who is anal retentive and hasn’t had sex in a decade.  Is there any doubt what effect free spirited Suzette will have on all of these ultra uptight people?

Steve says:

As you might guess, THE BANGER SISTERS is more than a bit predictable, with a simple-minded story line and a climax that we can practically see coming in the opening credits. 

That having been said, it is still a fun evening’s entertainment, thanks to the winning performances of Hawn and Sarandon.  Their personal chemistry propels the movie far further than it deserves to go. 

Writer Bob Dolman (FAR AND AWAY, WILLOW) peppers his script with sharp dialogue and a series of great jokes that help keep us distracted from the weak and conventional storyline.  As director, Dolman keeps things moving along at a pace that doesn’t allow us much time to ruminate on what hokum all this is. 

THE BANGER SISTERS is the second in a triad of films that Sarandon has in current release.  Her turn as the mom from hell in IGBY GOES DOWN opened last week to glowing reviews; and next week, she appears with Dustin Hoffman and Jake Gyllenhaal in MOONLIGHT MILE. 

The delightful Goldie Hawn, however, has been missing in action since 1999’s flaccid remake of Neil Simon’s THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS with Steve Martin.  Oh, there was the long-delayed TOWN AND COUNTRY, which should have been delayed indefinitely, but Hawn’s rendering of the free spirit Suzette should put her firmly back into the collective movie-going consciousness.  Her aging groupie could easily be the older incarnation of Penny Lane, the role that elevated her daughter, Kate Hudson, to stardom. 

There was one problem with Hawn in the role: the character is supposed to be over the hill and burnt out.  However, as the actress approaches the age of fifty-seven, she still looks at least twenty years younger.  Her Suzette still appears vibrant and alive, not to mention able to seduce any of today’s rock stars, were she so inclined.  Hawn and Sarandon are both shining examples of how women of a certain age can still be considered beautiful and desirable.

Geoffrey Rush is less successful in his role of would-be writer Harry, who is returning to Phoenix for the purpose of shooting his father, whom he believes ruined his life by discounting his dreams.  Rush’s stab at an American accent is a bit too labored and his character underdeveloped.  Indeed, it seems as though the character of Harry might have been grafted to the story in a later draft of the script in order to give us some respite from the relentless dynamic between Hawn’s Suzette and Sarandon’s Lavinia. 

Erika Christensen (TRAFFIC, SWIMFAN) and Eva Amurri are both effective as Lavinia’s teenaged daughters.  Indeed, the doe-eyed Amurri is Sarandon’s real-life daughter by Italian director Franco Amurri and is a younger incarnation of her mom.

If you parcel out your movie-going time and money carefully, you might want to wait for the home video release of this film.  If not, we recommend it as a fun evening’s entertainment, despite its shortcomings.  There are many big-budget A-list comedies that don’t have nearly the charm and humor of THE BANGER SISTERS.  Think of it as the Boston Cream Pie of movies -- full of empty calories, but nonetheless delicious to consume.

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Patty Says:

Maybe it’s because this film took me on my own little trip down memory lane, but I had a good time watching THE BANGER SISTERS.  Sure, it was predictable.  Yes, we knew that Lavinia was going to end up loosening the stays on her overdeveloped superego.  Uh huh, Suzette was bound to question her decision to trade stability in her relationships for carnal knowledge of the penis attached to every 70s rock star.  Certainly, the Banger Sisters were going to have one last hurrah then hang up their platforms and hot pink bustiers for more balanced lives.  Even when you know that the roller coaster ride will eventually come to a stop, it doesn’t keep you from feeling like you’re going to wet your pants as you go down that first hill.

The 70’s were fun.  There were just moral causes for which to crusade.  The permissive parenting of the Spock devotes supported adolescent rebelliousness and the questioning of the status quo.  Universities encouraged critical thinking and there were still legitimate heroes for young people to idealize and emulate.  Most of us played hard, worshiped the god, instant gratification and then figured out that life was more fun if you had a little cash with which to live it.  Next thing I knew, I was on the fast track to middle age and had embraced convention.   Hell, Eldridge Cleaver became a Republican before he died.  Go figure.

Likewise, Lavinia crossed over to the “dark side,” leaving Suzette to accommodate single handedly (there’s a joke there for those who have seen the film) the sexual fantasies of the performers at the Whiskey A Go-Go.  Both women gave up something in the choice.  Some of us stay true to ourselves on life’s path, some don’t. 

Sarandon and Hawn have remarkable chemistry.  They also stand as examples of how middle age doesn’t have to turn we women into frumpy, saggy old ladies before our time.  There isn’t a body part on either of them that sags.  It was disgusting.  As I sat munching the salty, fat-saturated theater popcorn, I secretly pledged to get back on that treadmill.   As soon as I finish off these leftover Reese’s Pieces, I’m going to do just that.

I had a good time with THE BANGER SISTERS.  (If my old friend, June is out there reading this, come for a visit.  We’ll kick it in LA and try to remember how we ever got those tight jeans to zip.)