Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Trip - Movie Review

The Trip (NR) 109 minutes C+
Eat Talk Fornicate

Starring Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Claire Keelan, Margo Stilley, Kerry Shale, Dolya Gavanski and Rebecca Johnson

If you're going to see The Trip, pack a little patience.  The film centers around British actors/comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, and is directed by Michael Winterbottom.  Coogan and Brydon portray exaggerated versions of themselves as they embark on a six day trip through the countryside of northern England.  They talk, they eat, they do great impressions (the Woody Allen impressions are my favorite) and they talk some more.  This dialogue heavy film is part travelogue, part road trip buddy comedy, with a dash of food porn sprinkled throughout.

Once close friends, the two forty-something men find themselves drifting apart, almost to the point of rivals.  Their strained relationship is one of the more interesting dynamics in the film because it feels authentic. Additionally, Coogan's not so subtle longing for commercial success and indecision about his love life makes this highly improvised duel somewhat intriguing.  Despite being well-received by critics, The Trip is not for everyone.  I would be surprised if anyone outside of film critics, a few cinephiles and fans of this British duo embraced this film domestically.  It's not bad at all, but I don't foresee at lot people taking this trip. 
     

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