The Banger Sisters

By EWAN McDONALD

(Herald Rating: * *)

Women behaving badly. Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Lavinia (Susan Sarandon) are middle-aged now, Suzette working the bar of a Hollywood club where she met and, er, connected with some of the world's most famous rockers. Turns out that in the 60s the women were legendary groupies. Frank Zappa (if you don't know, you're too young for this movie) christened them the Banger Sisters.

When she loses her job, Suzette heads for Phoenix to catch up with Lavinia. Turns out that Lavinia has become a wealthy and well-respected socialite with a handsome lawyer husband (Robin Thomas) and two spoiled teenage daughters.

On the way, Suzette's car breaks down and she hitches a lift from Harry (Geoffrey Rush), a neurotic screenwriter who is heading south to shoot his father. By the time they get to Phoenix (if you don't know, you're too young for this movie) Harry allows Suzette to share his hotel room while she links up with Lavinia.

Lavinia, of course, doesn't want to revisit her wild past or let her daughters follow her role model.

There's a lovely chemistry between the stars, even if they're forced to work with a plot and a script that is a little elderly.

DVD, video rental: April 9


DVD features: movie (98min);commentary by director Bob Dolman; bloopers; tailers.

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