Review of The Trip (2011) by Mark H — 17 Jul 2011

I really, really like sections of this, but unfortunately as a whole it's kind of a mixed experience. The movie works best and is most fascinating when Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are steeped in absolutely ridiculous conversations and arguments.

I would've preferred if this was done even more straight and dry. Instead of putting in melodramatic music and trying to create slight emotional drama here and there surrounding Coogan's sad existence, everything would've been much more effective if it were all even more minimalistic.

The fact is what this has going for it most is its natural approach and candid, improvised humor. Coogan and Brydon arguing over how to get Michael Caine impressions right and the correct lines from James Bond movies is totally funny, but I wanted even more of it and felt like some of those sections could've been extended.

I think the fact that it was a collection of episodes from a tv show being compiled into a cinematic narrative arc was problematic because it tried to compress everything into one movie. I wanted more static, long shots during the conversations, a technique that I think just really works for humor.

Still, I generally like Michael Winterbottom's style and fiercely admire Coogan and Brydon because they really do make such a fantastic comic team. Some of it seems like its trying to partially be a sort of travelogue and documentary about gourmet English restaurants, which I feel like throws off the mood of the mundane comedy.

However, you can't say its not well done and honestly anything that has a Joy Division song has me pretty appreciative.