Review of The Guilt Trip (2012) by Thomas C — 14 Mar 2013

Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogen is perhaps the oddest screen pairing to be placed in a film production in a long while. Why? Well aside from a brief role in 'Meet the Fockers', Streisand has only ever dappled in the comedic side of narratives, whilst Rogen is known for his comedic element that can be found in all but few of his, films such as 'Green Hornet'. It is a positive thing then, perhaps anyway, that 'The Guilt Trip' is not overly heavy on being funny, instead taking the middle ground between deep drama and the more lighter side that humour can derive. It is also positive that throughout this film, both leads are comfortable enough working alongside each other, as in a film that offers very little in terms of anything filmic, has these two saving it from an utter ruin, perhaps.

Andy Brewster (Rogen) is an inventor, be it not a very successful one. Spending all his money on developing an economical household cleaner. To bring in much needed funds, his plan is to road trip across many states pitching this new item to many companies in hope of striking up interest. His mother Joyce (Streisand) is widowed and lives life very much in the past. Having not been on a date since the death of her husband many years ago, she has become secluded in her routines - many involving frogs and M&M's- and she is not acceptant of change. When a revelation is announced about his mothers past, and after a quick bit of searching on the internet, Andy decides to bring his mother on the trip with him - in hopes of reuniting her with a long lost lover that she has so struggled to forget. On the way they encounter redneck cowboys, participate in an eating contest, as well as bond together after many years seemingly apart.

The issue that is found with this plot however is it sells itself as a comedy road trip movie, yet the laughs are few and far between in regards to anything found within the script. Why sell yourself as a comedy when the jokes just don't hit home enough, it would have been better to state this film only as a drama. This film also does not offer much in regards to character development between the pair as well as humour aside from a few situations that they place themselves in. Feeling a little shallow throughout , the narrative comes across a little slow throughout - meaning at times it becomes a bit of a chore to watch.

'The Guilt Trip' is not so much a bad movie, more just a disappointment based on the earlier work that both actors have achieved. It is perhaps still Rogen's most serious role, but with as little development as his character is given, his character never fits completely in the mind of the audience, instead making him appear selfish and stuck up within his own mannerisms. Streisand does save the film with her character being the most concrete creation found in this plot, however loose it actually becomes - at times very loose indeed. At least the relationship between the two, which is hard to believe is working at first, actually becomes believable towards the conclusion. When all else seemingly fails, it is this partnership on-screen that serves as its real saving grace. Disappointing and overly dull, the film does not entertain on the levels that most people would have expected. D.