Customer Reviews

The Banger Sisters [VHS]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Many critics have already not been kind to "The Banger Sisters". Perhaps they didn't like "First Wives' Club" either, but that film has become a Goldie Hawn classic. And "Banger Sisters" has all the same elements that will make this a screen and DVD favorite, as well.

The key to Hawn's success has always been successful partnering with other actors and actresses that act as a catlyst for her charm. In this film, she's fortunate to work with Susan Sarandon, perhaps even better with Goldie than the combination of Diane Keaton-Bette Midler. Sarandon's character is a little bit of both. The comedy is gentle and the message has both women, in their late forties, go in search of what has been missing from their adult lives. They have a crazy camaraderie that was born of shared experiences as rock groupies in the late 60's and early 70's, when sex and drugs were plentiful. Hawn's character, Suzette, has continued to live the experience, and the film opens with a scene of her being fired from her job as a bartender.

Sarandon's character (Vinnie, now Lavinia), took a different road when she split from Suzette, and she's now the successful wife of a wealthy man with political aspirations in Phoenix. Lavinia's devoted herself to the care and raising of her two daughters, and is dismayed, at first, when Suzette shows up. She's never confided her wild teenage experiences to husband or daughters, and they're frankly shocked at her choice of friends, and the influence Suzette seems to have over her. The contrast is best expressed when Vinnie realizes her whole life, like her perfectly kept and coordinated wardrobe, has been "beige".

A plot contrivance involves character actor Geoffrey Rush as a hapless writer who arrives with Suzette in Phoenix, and evolves from an obsessive schmuck to a man whose been woken up to life again by the unpredictability of life with Suzette . Rush is peerless in his role, and his character helps to add to the humanity that makes Suzette's life worthwhile.

"Banger Sisters" is not laugh out loud funny, but there are priceless funny moments, as Suzette and Vinnie are caught with a toke in Lavinia's basement, while browsing through the Polaroids they took of memorable "parts" of their affairs with rock icons. Sarandon is laughable in her uptight moments, using floral arrangements to make amends with Suzette, and cleaning up the kitchen when under stress. There are also some miscues that aren't believable, like the "throwing chicken" scene, and scenes in which young actress Eva Amurri (Sarandon's daughter in real life) goes over the top as a spoiled brat.

The soundtrack of the Banger Sisters does its own star turn in the movie, featuring old hits (Steppenwolf's " Rock Me", "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads) new covers by unusual artists (Tommy Lee doing Bowie's "Fame", Trevor Rabin's cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood") and great new songs by Richie Sambora and Dishwalla. The soundtrack is most evident in the movie's poignant scenes....Vinnie and Suzette dancing in a club, being "poster children" for a "got milk?" ad, and consoling each other outside the hospital where Vinnie's daughter is being treated.

Hawn and Sarandon are memorable and priceless in a little gem of a film. They light up the screen, make you believe in forever friendships, and hopefully set the stage to return to film as a duo.

I disagree with reviews that label this a mediocre movie, and urge you to see it, and enjoy!

Suzette (Goldie Hawn) used to be one half of the infamous "Banger Sisters", a pair of man-hungry groupies who slept with the likes of Jim Morrison and Kieth Richards. Now she's just lost her job as Bartender at The Whiskey-A-Go-Go, and being broke, decides to go hit up Vinnie, the other half of the Bangers (Susan Sarandon), whom she hasn't seen or heard from in 20 years, for a loan. Suzette knows Vinnie is married to a Lawyer and living in Arizone, but she doesn't know that Vinnie is now Lavinia, the straight-arrow wife, and mother of two.....and although Suzette was Vinnie's best pal, Lavinia isn't going to be too thrilled to see her wild past come strolling into her perfect present.

The movie is cute and funny, but the real reason too see it is the performances of Hawn and Sarandon. The chemistry between them is great. Goldie is as cute and sexy as ever, and it's pretty ironic that she's basically playing the grown-up version of her daughter Kate Hudson's character in Almost Famous. Geoffrey Rush is great fun as a neurotic who gets swept up into Suzette's crazy life. The Banger Sisters ain't exactly Citizen Kane, but it was a fun way to spend a few hours.

THE BANGER SISTERS is a movie that has a lot of mixed emotions about it. Goldie Hawn (Town & Country, Out-Of Towners) plays a character that is so far from her normal persona that it almost didn't work. But by the end you realize that Goldie is the cornerstone for many of the characters in the film. Primarily that of the talented Susan Sarandon (Cradle Will Rock, Cat's and Dogs) who transformation and power shift really is believable.

The film is directed by Bob Dolman (writer of Far and Away, Willow ) who takes a while to get the story moving but once the two ladies get their characters in gear - it picks up,. Some wonderful performances by Susan's oldest daughter played by Erika Christianson (Swim Fan, Traffic) and her husband played by Robin Thomas (Clockstoppers, Bullworth) and the their contrast in understanding what their lives are really about.

Basically it's the story of a two women who were wild and crazy with sex and rock'n'roll in their youth having been separated as time does to everyone and then meeting again twenty years later. Goldie is Suzette a broken down woman who lives the life of a Bar tender in Hollywood and Susan plays Lavine a house wife with a great home, children, family and money. They meet again and realize what they meant to each other and who they really are. There is a standout surprise performance by Geoffrey Rush (Quills, Shakespeare In Love) as a writer with an issue. Again Goldie guides her way in and out of his life for an almost believable storybook ending.

I enjoyed this movie. Nothing really special, but its heart is in the right place! (9-22-02)

A golden premise and a good cast are not enough to reclaim this movie from such a hollow script. Ultimately, this may be worth renting, but as an evening out you may be disappointed, as this offers surprisingly few laughs and not very good drama.

Goldie Hawn plays a bubbly bartender at L.A.'s Whisky-a-Gogo who, back in the sixties, was one of two legendary groupies dubbed (by Frank Zappa, no less) as "the Banger Sisters." When Suzette finds herself hired by the young management, she jumps in her car and drives to Arizona to catch up with her fellow Banger, who has gone completely straight, has a wealthy lawyer husband and a perfect suburban life, and does not welcome the living reminder of her wild past.

All kinds of dramatic possibilities are botched. Susan Sarandon, as "Vinnie"-"Lavinia," does her best to make some sense but there's not much there. Her transformation consists of a mysterious comment about Jim Morrison, and an unmotivated food fight. "I lost me," she says, but there is no glimpse of what that is, or how she reconciles it with the life she has now. The family complains that their life has been ruined, when nothing seems to have happened. And Sarandon is condemned to do meaningful things with her eyes at the end, when it is not clear how she or her family has changed. (Except for her haircut, that is.) Her best scene is when she is surprised at a compromising moment by her family, and is struggling to keep her mature-mom mask on despite the hilarity that is breaking through; at last, life! Real human behavior!

Nothing is done with the character of the husband, and that is a terrible mistake. Also, we are cheated because we do not get to see the hilarious teenage daughters forced to re-evaluate her mom and realize she's "cool." We are primed to expect that scene, and it is LARCENY not to show it to us.

Finally, there is poor Geoffery Rush playing an obsessive-compulsive writer carrying a briefcase with an old typewriter, and a gun with one bullet. Another potentially interesting element lost in the soundtrack of sixties' covers, condemned to lines such as, "I think you're my muse," and unmotivated dancing.

In sum, the film offers no surprises, and a lot of unprovoked sentimentality over substance. The actors truly make the most of the material and offer some entertainment, but in all it was a disappointment.

I love this film. I tend to rate movies by how well they accomplish what they set out to do. Schindler's List is trying to do something much different than Fried Green Tomatoes, and they need to be rated on their own merits. In this case, The Banger Sisters deftly accomplishes what it's meant to do, and that's to provide a heart-warming, funny movie about friendship, with a bit of nostalgia thrown in for flavor.

I hadn't even heard of The Banger Sisters until I saw it for sale on the used rack at the local video store and picked it up because it had Susan Sarandon in it, a long time favorite of mine. Because I didn't know anything about it, I had zero expectations as to plot or movie quality, which sometimes helps. I ended up being totally charmed and have watched it several times and will surely watch it several more.

The movie has a lot to say about how people change, or don't change, how a person can lose her sense of self, how raising children has some inherent hypocrisy involved, and about how important friends are to our identities. But these are all said subtly and just add a bit of background depth to what is namely a light comedy about old friends.

The performances by Hawn and Sarandon are outstanding. As is the performance by Geoffry Rush. The three characters are all uniquely different, and yet somehow the three of them manage to make a wonderful and crazily believable whole. The fourth best performance in the movie is turned in by the fantastic soundtrack.

So maybe while not a movie for deep thinkers or for elite cinema buffs, it's a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half for those who love movies about the bonds of friendship, who like a bit of nostalgia for the great days of rock and roll, and who appreciate a suprise, side-splittingly funny scene or turn of phrase now and then.

I'm sorry, but I really liked this movie. Sure it is based on a fluffy script, but it's fun and energetic. Not to mention, it has some very good names as stars. Geoffrey Rush, Susan Sarandon, and the indomitable Goldie Hawn. Plus, there are a lot of lesser names who deliver some great performances.

The story begins with Suzette (Hawn) as a fun living, carefree former groupie still caught in the fast living of her younger days. She decides to visit her best friend, Livinia, (Sarandon) who is now a matronly, slighty hysterical mother trying to raise two spoiled children in the suburbs of Arizona with her rich lawyer husband.

During Suzette's trip from Los Angeles, she meets Harold (Rush) who is on his way home to kill his father. Suzette takes this information in stride and it is hilarious how Harold takes to Suzette and her philosphy of life.

What follows from there is a funny and introspective trip down memory lane and life's interesting paths. Personally, I like the movie. It's funny and you can watch it with family and friends alike. There is a great message being bandied about, and doesn't take long before you are caught up in the lives of everyone on screen.

In an age of deep, riveting movies this is one you can watch with a smile and a laugh--not worrying if you missed the meaning. Plus, the added benefits of seeing a role designed for older actresses is a highlight in itself.

I would highly recommend buying this movie. You will enjoy it!!

In THE BANGER SISTERS, Goldie Hawn doesn't giggle as much as she did thirty-two years ago on "Laugh-In", but, under that unruly mop of blond hair, she can still give that crooked little grin that's just so darned appealing.

Goldie plays Suzette, an aging ex-groupie of the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll generation who's a legend in her own mind and, undoubtedly, in the libidos of all the musicians she slept with. Just fired from her bartending gig at a Hollywood club by a young boss who doesn't have the proper respect for historical figures, Suzette sets out by car for Phoenix to look up Lavinia (Susan Sarandon), her pal and fellow groupie from the good old days. Along the way, she picks up Harry (Geoffrey Rush), a tightly wound wannabe writer that hasn't had sex in ten years and travels with a pistol loaded with one bullet. She arrives at her destination only to discover that Lavinia has "gone straight", i.e., is married to a lawyer and living a constipated middle-class existence in the affluent suburbs with two spoiled daughters, a banana hammock, and an all-beige wardrobe.

The plot of this film is about nothing more than the effect of Suzette's uninhibited ebullience on Harry, Lavinia, and the latter's family. And, it should have been limited to just Lavinia's small circle if the editing department had perhaps done the smart thing and relegated the subplot involving Harry to the cutting room floor. Sarandon does well enough as a responsible Mom divesting herself of the inhibitions that have layered themselves over a formerly free spirit. To that end, her husband and daughters are nothing more than animated props serving as foils to this process catalyzed by the intrusion of Suzette into their overly-ordered lives. There's one sequence in the family basement involving some revealing old Polaroids that's worth the price of admission.

The best reason to see THE BANGER SISTERS is Goldie Hawn, who, at 57, has aged well. She must work out. And when did she get so, um, stacked? Suzette makes a point of telling Lavinia that not everything one sees under her tank top is real. Perhaps that's it - but the effect is remarkable, especially if one remembers the Goldie of an earlier age. In any case, this film doesn't approach being memorable, but the effervescent Ms. Hawn has earned the right to be remembered simply for the delight she's provided fans over the decades.

I've read most of the reviews already posted and agree with much of what has been written. I just had to add one more thing. I AM ADDICTED TO THIS CRAZY MOVIE! Why? You tell me... why does one get addicted to a movie with as many flaws as this one has? I think because I so strongly identify with the characters. No, I wasn't a groupie in the 60's, but I was a teenager. And now I'm not so young. I seem to identify with Suzette AND with Vinnie. I've cleaned up my act, but I still harbor a longing for "those days". I agree that the script leaves reality in the dust in may ways, (example, Vinnie's husband is way too accepting to be real) but still.. I'm addicted. I have watched it several times, including all the extra features and footage I can get my hands on. Goldie, Susan, Geoffrey and the crew succeed in taking me back and making me think, think and think some more about where I came from, where I got to, and where I am going from here. P.S. I'm glad to find out that Goldie didn't acutally get her [breasts] done, it was just costuming. At age 47, I worry about those things..... If you are a middle-aged baby-boomer grappling with weight gain, kids, loss of "coolness", etc., you may share my addictive reaction to this flick...

Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon star in THE BANGER SISTERS, a movie about two women who reconnect after 20 years. One is Suzette (Goldie Hawn), a woman who is still lost in her past as a rock groupie. She goes to Pheonix, and encounters Harry, a man who she originally butts heads with, but eventually they become fast friends (and a bit more). Then there is Vinnie (Susan Sarandon), Suzette's friend from 20 years ago, another rock groupie, they made up The Banger Sisters, sleeping with musicians and roadies, and such, way back in the day. However Vinnie has not embraced her past, if anything she has tried to distance herself from the image she had back then. Upon rediscovering each other, there is initial conflict, but Suzette shows Vinnie how to live again, as they relive their past once more. Vinnie becomes frustrated with her family life, her family having her picking up the pieces and she finds the wings to live again. Susan Sarandon does a compelling job playing Vinnie, finding the dark humor in the character and bringing it to light. Goldie Hawn shines as Suzette, cute and funny, bringing the role to life. The interaction between these two actresses is the best reason to see this movie.

I've seen this movie three times so far and I cant wait for the DVD to be released. This movie was so funny. The best scene in the movie is in the basement, it makes me laugh just thinking about.