Many a Hollywood comedy has put two comics on the road together and found comedic gold. Britain's "The Trip" is what those movies would be if they were somewhat realistic, and it's no less funny – depending on your tastes, of course.
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play fictional versions of themselves who go on a foodie tour of northern England for an article Steve's writing, as told by their "Tristam Shandy" director, Michael Winterbottom. Originally released as a series of six 30-minute episodes for TV, Winterbottom edits them into a film just shy of two hours; despite having not watched the series, nothing feels incomplete about this film version, though doubtless there are more comedic gems to be found in the missing hour of material.
That said, "The Trip" is episodic in nature. There's a rhythm and formula to each day: Steve and Rob drive down winding northern roads with beautiful landscapes behind them; they arrive at modest inns where a friendly woman shows them around; they sit in quaint dining rooms and eat exquisite-looking food that Winterbottom loves to show being plated; they do impressions of famous actors ad nauseam; they discuss their careers; they make phone calls to a consistent assortment of people, often out in fields where to get cell phone reception; they recite poetry. Rinse and repeat.
Although at times this repetitive structure feels uninspired, there's something comforting about it, like when you get into a pleasant routine on a vacation. All the while, we grow more accustomed to Steve and Rob's dynamic, one that is typical of two humorous friends in that jokes get repeated, they annoy each other and there's a little one-upmanship going on. The fact that Rob is a family man and Steve is a middle-aged bachelor keeps their back-and- forth interesting and occasionally poignant.
The humorous aspects of "The Trip" have nothing to do with the plot or narrative. Nothing is situational. It has funny bits and clips that stand on their own. The dueling Michael Caine impressions (and "she was only 15 years old" bit), "Gentleman, to Bed," James Bond villains and singing "The Winner Takes It All" are some of the highlights that can be enjoyed without any context yet definitively add something to the film when experienced as part of the whole.
"The Trip" feels about as close to real life as a comedy can get without losing all its funniness. Most real-life friends aren't as funny as these two, and that's the secret as to why not just anyone can go on a food tour of northern England, bring a camera along and make a good movie. Coogan and Brydon are exemplifying great improvisational chemistry while staying grounded in their characters enough that "The Trip" retains the feel of a documentary.
Even Americans or others who self-identify as fans British humor will find "The Trip" to be a different sort of animal that maybe wasn't what they expected. It's mundane, uneventful and a little plain. It makes no statements. Yet there's a pleasure in watching it – and re-watching the funniest clips.
~Steven C
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Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play fictional versions of themselves who go on a foodie tour of northern England for an article Steve's writing, as told by their "Tristam Shandy" director, Michael Winterbottom. Originally released as a series of six 30-minute episodes for TV, Winterbottom edits them into a film just shy of two hours; despite having not watched the series, nothing feels incomplete about this film version, though doubtless there are more comedic gems to be found in the missing hour of material.
That said, "The Trip" is episodic in nature. There's a rhythm and formula to each day: Steve and Rob drive down winding northern roads with beautiful landscapes behind them; they arrive at modest inns where a friendly woman shows them around; they sit in quaint dining rooms and eat exquisite-looking food that Winterbottom loves to show being plated; they do impressions of famous actors ad nauseam; they discuss their careers; they make phone calls to a consistent assortment of people, often out in fields where to get cell phone reception; they recite poetry. Rinse and repeat.
Although at times this repetitive structure feels uninspired, there's something comforting about it, like when you get into a pleasant routine on a vacation. All the while, we grow more accustomed to Steve and Rob's dynamic, one that is typical of two humorous friends in that jokes get repeated, they annoy each other and there's a little one-upmanship going on. The fact that Rob is a family man and Steve is a middle-aged bachelor keeps their back-and- forth interesting and occasionally poignant.
The humorous aspects of "The Trip" have nothing to do with the plot or narrative. Nothing is situational. It has funny bits and clips that stand on their own. The dueling Michael Caine impressions (and "she was only 15 years old" bit), "Gentleman, to Bed," James Bond villains and singing "The Winner Takes It All" are some of the highlights that can be enjoyed without any context yet definitively add something to the film when experienced as part of the whole.
"The Trip" feels about as close to real life as a comedy can get without losing all its funniness. Most real-life friends aren't as funny as these two, and that's the secret as to why not just anyone can go on a food tour of northern England, bring a camera along and make a good movie. Coogan and Brydon are exemplifying great improvisational chemistry while staying grounded in their characters enough that "The Trip" retains the feel of a documentary.
Even Americans or others who self-identify as fans British humor will find "The Trip" to be a different sort of animal that maybe wasn't what they expected. It's mundane, uneventful and a little plain. It makes no statements. Yet there's a pleasure in watching it – and re-watching the funniest clips.
~Steven C
Thanks for reading! Visit Movie Muse Reviews for more