Review of The Trip (2011) by Pedro A — 01 Nov 2011

Michael Winterbottomâ(TM)s odd-couple road movie features British comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon reprising their chummy rivalry from 2005â(TM)s A Cock & Bull Story, only this time the story is built around improvised scenes.

Originally appearing as a well-received 6-part BBC series, the film has been edited from the TV broadcast for cinematic release. Each man plays a fictionalised version of himself, and the dynamic is surprisingly effective: Coogan as an insecure, impatiently ambitious would-be â~serious movie starâ(TM), and Brydon as the contented family man, happy with his lower station in the comedy food chain.

Roped in to replace Cooganâ(TM)s (fictional) American girlfriend on a restaurant-reviewing tour of the north of England for the Observer Food Magazine, Brydon spurs Cooganâ(TM)s competitive urges with his caricatures, leading to a series of entertaining mealtime impersonation masterclasses â" Michael Caine and Woody Allen being two particular highlights.

As Coogan struggles to land a major role and pines for his distant girlfriend, the viewer is treated to a finely-observed comedy of two spotlight-seeking middle-aged entertainers forced to spend a week in the close quarters, and to the sweeping vistas of the northern scenery, which Winterbottomâ(TM)s camera shows off to magnificent effect.