The Banger Sisters DVD with Susan Sarandon, Goldie Hawn, Geoffrey Rush (R) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

Cute and Funny

Daniel V. Reilly | Upstate New York, United States | 09/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

A little gem of a film....

L. Quido | Tampa, FL United States | 09/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

The Banger Sisters... Starring Goldie Hawn's Lips & Boobs

Sarah B. Chalk | Southaven, Ms. | 01/22/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Wow.... What can I say??? I have six young sons, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to get cozy on my huge sofa with my popcorn and coca-cola, after everybody's is tucked in for the night, and enjoy some quiet time with a great dvd. Sadly, this movie was a bitter disappointment. I think Susan Sarandon is a wonderful actress, and Goldie Hawn has had her moments (Overboard). Without going into the details of the film, I will try to concentrate my review on the elements of the film. When I excitedly hit the play button, which I was sure would open the door to a whole new soon-to-be favorite film, I was smiling and kept smiling hoping that each line would bring something to smile about. I soon discovered my face hurt from trying to hold my once geniune smile turned phony. I finally had to tell myself that the movie wasn't funny or touching or even well-acted. Goldie's Suzette possessed not one solitary trait that was even remotely endearing. Watching Geoffrey Rush's character, Harry, become "touched" while Suzette allowed Vinnie's (Susan Sarandon) daughter to puke all over her while she soothed her through her bad acid trip, was just plain silly. I felt myself feeling embarrassed for the actors. If Goldie Hawn didn't go home from shooting this film every night with a pounding headache or throwing her back out, I would be very surprised. There is no way that anyone could keep their lips pursed like that without some repercussion. And voguing one's boobs sideways, backways, and every way to Sunday can't be good on one's back. There was no "feel good" message, "no moral" to this waste of film. Those who have given "The Banger Sisters" a glowing review are clearly people who are "low maintenance" as far as movies go. They are not dazzled by gripping performances or an intelligent script. Two qualities I always look for. I guess if I am going to devote my valuable free time to watching a movie, it will have to be one worth watching and not this kind of slop. Hey, these people get paid millions of dollars to entertain. Shouldn't they have to earn it? I could go on and on and on about all that is wrong with this movie, but I won't. Too much time has been wasted already. If you feel as if you want to give this movie a chance, I would strongly urge you to rent it, or better yet, borrow it from someone who owns it. DON'T BUY IT!!!"

Goldie and Susane are the Movie!

Lorenzo M. in the Hollywood CA Area | North Hollywood, CA USA | 09/23/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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)"

Terrific Cast Trudges Through Hollywood ...

Algernon D'Ammassa | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/22/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Search - The Banger Sisters on DVD

Movie Details

Similar Movies

Similarly Requested DVDs

Member Movie Reviews

Movie Reviews