Nostalgic humor rocks "The Banger Sisters
Two years ago, Kate Hudson broke out into the film world with her role as drug and sex-crazed groupie, Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe's Oscar nominated blockbuster hit "Almost Famous." Now, her 56-year old mother Goldie Hawn, is following in her daughter's footsteps, showing what happened to those wild girls of the '60s when they grew up. Bob Dolman's 'The Banger Sisters' is the story of two ex-groupies, Suzette (Hawn) and Vinnie (Susan Sarandon) who have taken separate paths since their wild rock 'n' roll days and sex-driven nights on Sunset Strip. A boob job and a few tattoos later, Suzette is now working at a bar serving drinks to the "groupies" of the 21st century and watching the newest bands take the stage.
Although still young at heart, with a tattoo of 'The Lizard King' displayed proudly on her chiseled bicep, Suzette's nostalgic life does not belong on Sunset Strip any longer. As the movie opens, she is trying to convince her boss that he cannot fire her, as she belongs there. "Jim Morrison passed out in there one night, with me underneath!" she declares, proudly waving towards the bathroom. Unfortunately, times have changed, but party-driven Suzette has not, and she soon finds herself un-employed with no place to go and only one person to turn to.
Living miles away and two decades into the future, Vinnie has put those crazy years behind her and is blissfully living a new life as the wife of a rich lawyer (Robin Thomas of "Clockstoppers") and mother of two teenage girls (Erika Christensen of "Swimfan" and Eva Amurri of "Made-Up.")
The difference in the lifestyles of the two is manifested in their living quarters: Suzette's room is centered around her bed, and is candle-laden with hippie beads and tapestries lining her walls, while Vinnie's house is complete with a large swimming pool, garden and a separate quarter for the children. Her life is perfectly dominated by beige blazers and cleaning ladies whom the children don't even know, until Suzette comes swooping back into her life, trying to reclaim the childhood friend she once had.
Taking a trip down memory lane, the two girls reclaim their past and get a better grip on their future. The movie does not show any flashbacks of the crazy lifestyles that the "Banger Sisters" led; their lives unfold in the present and only mere glimpses of what life was like as a groupie are revealed. The scenes with Hawn clothed in a revealing tank top and tight leather pants, and Sarandon fully clad in a strapless black top with snake skin pants reminded everyone just why most 50-year-old women are better off back at home wearing the beige blazers. Even so, both women proved that they still have what it takes to rock 'n' roll with the best of them.
Another scene stealer is supporting actor Geoffrey Rush ("Quills"), whose obsessive compulsive character, Harry, has completely surrendered to the outlandish and girlish charm of Suzette. When Suzette picks him up at a rest station in the middle of nowhere, he is deeply concerned that he just had two flies copulating on his hand, and informs Suzette that their sexual promiscuity is startlingly very similar to humans. He steals every scene that he is in, with his perfect comedic timing and innocent charm that plays perfectly off the two wild women.
Although a predictable movie, 'The Banger Sisters' is blessed with a perfect cast and possesses perfect comedic timing. Bob Dolman's script is unforgettable, with both the older generation and younger generation of actors giving unbelievable performances. This is a movie for all generations to laugh at and enjoy together.
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