Banger Sisters Bang audiences in the right direction

Academy Award winning actresses Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn privelege audiences with their experienced banter and charming wit in tackling a scrips that has both humor and meaning

posted September 30, 2002

by Jamie Currie of Campanile

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

Lavinia (Susan Sarandon) and Suzette (Goldie Hawn) kiss a surprised Harry (Geoffrey Rush) on his cheeks before the two head out for a night on the town to rediscover their “Banger Sisters” rituals.

Not too often does Academy Award Winner Susan Sarandon play an ex-groupie turned suburban housewife; however, in her new movie, The Banger Sisters, she and Academy Award Winner Goldie Hawn co-star in memorable performances, showing that no one is ever too old to have a little fun.

Hawn plays the role of Suzette, a middle-aged woman who acts as though she never left her teen-age years. After losing her waitressing job at a club, she goes in search of her ex-best friend, Mrs. Lavinia Kingsley (Sarandon), who prefers to forget her past as a "banger" sister. On her drive from Hollywood to Arizona, Suzette picks up Harry Plumber (Geoffrey Rush), who promptly reveals a gun with a single bullet and vows to kill his father.

Upon Suzette's arrival, she finds Lavinia's seemingly perfect existence is wrought with family discord – especially after Lavinia's prized daughter (Erika Christensen) is found having sex in the family pool and dropping acid at her prom. The plot progresses as Lavinia seems to wake up from her 20-year slumber in suburbia and Suzette finds a new sense of self with the companionship of Harry.

One of the many highlights of The Banger Sisters is the dialogue. One cannot help but laugh when Sarandon proclaims, "I am the same color as the Department of Motor Vehicles : everything I own is beige!"

Also classic are the expressions of Lavinia's daughters when they find their mother in the basement, decked out in snake-leather pants with chopped off hair and an array of pornographic pictures strewn about the floor.

Sarandon never fails to relate to the audience in her movies, and The Banger Sisters is no exception. Her role as Lavinia, a woman who desperately tries to forget her promiscuous past and live the white-picket-fence existence, is completely believable. Her attempt to erase Suzette from her life reflects her over-bearing attitude toward her daughter, who she is determined will never go down the same path as she did.

Lavinia's physical transformation quickly ensues, and for the first time in the movie she begins to accept her past and, consequently, her daughter. However, it is not until her family confronts her that she stands up for Suzette and, most importantly, who she was and is.

Although Sarandon's performance clearly shows Lavinia's character arc, Hawn's is subtler. Throughout the movie, Suzette changes the lives of Lavinia and Harry; however, she continues to live promiscuously. The continuity in her character shows her authenticity and, complemented by the changing attitudes of those around her, adds to the quality of the movie.

Despite the authentic acting by Sarandon and Hawn, the clichéd plot discredits the movie. Each scene leads predictably to the next one throughout the film with only the witty dialogue coming from strong actors to keep the plot moving. Furthermore, it is doubtful that Lavinia's one-night, let-loose outing with Suzette is enough to erase 20 years of a staid-suburban existence.

Supporting actors Rush and Christensen contribute to the humor and depth of the plot. Christensen, known for playing Michael Douglas' drug-addicted daughter in Traffic, does a superb job, considering she plays the role of valedictorian-turned-rebel daughter. Through Rush, the audience sees Suzette's humanity, especially as he transforms from being depressed and obsessive-compulsive to optimistic and caring.

Director and screenwriter Bob Dolman (also screenwriter of Far and Away) does an admirable job of mixing the serious issues of accepting oneself with with light-hearted humor that is sure to entertain any age group. For an entertaining movie with a strong cast and witty dialogue, The Banger Sisters is sure to please.