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Goldie Hawn, Susan Sarandon let it all hang out
The Banger Sisters is wishy-washy though it may raise a few laughs
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Som Chivukula
Two years ago, Kate Hudson starred in the highly acclaimed Almost Famous, about a teenage boy who covers a band while on their concert tour.
Hudson plays a groupie who tags along with the male band members to provide intimacy. Now Hudson's mother Goldie Hawn stars in a movie with a similar storyline. The new movie The Banger Sisters is also a drama about relationships and finding oneself.
The results, however, are wishy-washy. The film has some interesting moments but it is not nearly enough. The real weakness is both in the script and the surprising lack of chemistry between Hawn and veteran Susan Sarandon.
Suzette (Hawn) and Lavinia (Sarandon) are groupies and have plenty of stories to share about their trysts with the hottest musicians of the 1970s. Lavinia has given up the lifestyle, now settled in Phoenix with a husband and family. Meanwhile, Suzette has not yet let go of that era.
Wearing skimpy clothing and flirting with every second man she lays her eyes on, Suzette is a bartender. Abruptly fired, her life seems to fall apart until she decides to meet up with Lavinia (whom she fondly calls Vinnie) for old times' sake.
Vinnie is now a socialite. Her lawyer husband has political ambitions and Vinnie is protective of her image as well as her family, comprising two teenage daughters. Suzette is on her way to Phoenix where, along the road, she picks up Harry (Geoffrey Rush). Harry has is a struggling writer who is trying to let go of his inner demons.
The first meeting between Vinnie and Suzette is interesting: Suzette brings Hannah (Erika Christensen), Vinnie's eldest daughter, home from the hotel where she was celebrating her high school prom. But Vinnie is not sure why Suzette brings her home. Of course, she is also shocked to see her after all these years. Their conversation is abrupt and uneasy.
But the relationship slowly picks up steam. One of the best stretches in the film is a scene at a dinner table where Suzette brings out the zaniness that was once part of Vinnie's life --- much to the surprise of her family.
From there, the story becomes predictable. Vinnie and Suzette reignite their friendship and the two decide to let all hang out once again.
Hawn, last seen the disastrous Town & Country, is a treat. Underneath her ditzy looks and image is a caring being who looks out for others. Both the female leads are attractive in their roles.
The script, by Bob Dolman who also directs the film, is faulty. The relationship between the age-old friends never seems to have substance, aside from a few memories of having fun with rock stars. Of the two characters, it seems Vinnie is more with it: she is able to recognise the importance of her past, aware of her present and the future. Suzette is is aloof and lives each day to the fullest no matter what people around her think. Oscar-winner Rush's character could have used more fine-tuning. In the end, predictably, he is the love interest of Suzette.
With a lot of competition this week at the multiplex, The Banger Sisters might make a bang or two, bringing in the female audience. Overall, the film shows potential and may even bring a few laughs to viewers.