The Banger Sisters
Review by Clint Morris
 When
you look back at Goldie Hawn’s illustrious career you’ll
notice the humorous lass has played a swerve of characters
– but, amusingly enough, never an ex-groupie.
Ironically, her actress daughter, Kate Hudson, won much approbation
for her performance in the aforesaid designate – Penny
Lane of Almost Famous – and not even 5 years later,
mum wants a piece of the action by playing an almost unchangingly
elder version of Famous’ artiste hanger-on.
Surely Mum couldn't be covetous of her child’s meteoric
rise to fame? Assumedly – knowing Goldie as we all do
– that’s doubtful, she probably just realised how
fun playing a ditzy, but worldly musician groupie could be.
The result is The Banger Sisters, an enjoyable and
well-performed rupture of luminosity.
A compact tale of two best friends who’ve gone their
separate ways, The Banger Sisters is merely an excuse
to team two of Hollywood’s golden vets – Hawn and
the equally admirable Susan Sarandon - and while the material
they’ve got to work with is far from statuette significant,
they’re able to make the most of it.
Hawn is Suzette, a bartender at the renowned 'Whisky a Go
Go' on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. She’s essentially
been in this same place since the 60’s only now she’s
working the bar rather than utilizing it.
You see, she was a former groupie to musicians at large –
Jim Morrison being one – and still longs for a return
to her younger posse. Her boss doesn’t take too well
to her snatching free drink behind the bar though and her
bad attitude, so gives her the heave-ho.
Broke and at loose ends, Suzette decides to drive to Phoenix
and look up Vinny, her roommate from the old days, to ask
her for money. Seems they haven’t spoken in years but
when they were together – apparently as a free and easy
duo named ‘The Banger Sisters’ – they were
unmatchable.
Along the way, she picks up a rider: a futile screenwriter
named Harry (Geoffrey Rush), who is going back to Phoenix
carrying a gun with one bullet. Apparently it’s saved
for his father.
Predictably, Suzette's reunion with Vinny doesn't go as planned.
Vinny is now Lavinia (Sarandon), a mere shadow of her former
self, now a society mama raising two bright teenagers and
harbouring a lifetime full of reminiscences with her husband.
But after some initial conflict, Lanivia and Suzette do end
up connecting, and typically, wild Suzette gives mum the revamp
she’s been begging for.
While its prime storyline is ample it’s pretty much
free of relish, facet and extent, and if not for the two gifted
performers on the screen the film would be far less consummate.
As a twosome, Sarandon and Hawn are riotous - like chalk
and cheese in some of the earlier scenes, but later a pair
of waiting-to-explode soul sisters. Coupled with another impressive
turn by Geoffrey Rush as the weird Harry, and The Banger
Sisters possesses more thump than it otherwise should.
3 out of 5
The Banger Sisters
Australian release: Thursday November 21
Cast: Goldie Hawn, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Rush, Erika Christensen,
Robin Thomas, Eva Amurri, Matthew Carey, Andre Ware.
Director: Bob Dolman.
Website: Click
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