Review of The Trip (2011) by Walter M — 15 Nov 2012

In "The Trip," the actor Steve Coogan has an assignment to write about restaurants in his old stomping grounds of Yorkshire for Observer Magazine but nobody to go with him as his girlfriend Mischa(Margo Stilley) has other professional commitments. After going through half of the London phone book, Rob Brydon, the comedian, agrees to venture forth with him, despite or because of the infant in his household. Complications arise at their first stop when the only room available at the inn is a double which Magda(Dolya Gavanski) promises to look into.

Alternately funny and sad, "The Trip" goes beyond documenting how hard it is to find a decent meal in England(and what glorious food they consume!) to explore other areas of British culture, including its literature and popular entertainment from the perspective of some beautiful countryside that is blessed with inconsistent cell phone reception. While referencing James Bond movies(luckily I've recently again seen the relevant conversation from "The Man from the Golden Gun," so I know what they are talking about, just like the "Top Gear" reference) might speak to Steve Coogan's inexplicably being a babe magnet, this behavior also shows how lonely he is(at least this version), not being able to be alone for long. At the same time, he enjoys despite himself, along with the audience, the relatively brief company of his fellow entertainer and friend, allowing for some hilarious semi-improvised riffs.