SIFF - The Trip
Originally a British TV show, “The Trip” is a (mostly) humorous roadtrip across north Britain dining at out of the way fine restaurants. In an American movie, the two guys would be mismatched scalawags, have hare-brained adventures, and come out the other end best buddies having perhaps learned a thing or two about life, themselves and What’s Really Important.
But we’re talking BritCom here so let’s give those expectations a pass.
Steve Coogan and comedian pal Rob Bryden (his last choice after no one else will go ) head off into the northern wilds on assignment for The Observer to check out fine dining in beautiful desolate countryside that looks a lot like Oregon in winter. And it rains constantly. And there is no cell connection to be had unless you’re standing in the middle of a field or climb up the top of some damn moor.
Which makes it tough on Steve Coogan, desperate to connect with his agent, his girlfriend who he’s unwillingly “on a break” from, or his office staff who is very patient with him indeed.
When it works, it works very well. It’s funny and charming and thoughtful. When it doesn’t hit the mark you sigh for a bit, waiting for the minutes to tick past until they catch their rhythm again.
I wonder if it worked better as a TV series. I found, as a movie, watching them endlessly eating meals that could have served as hats for the royal wedding, eventually made me queasy. All those endless cooks cooking endless scallops of all different sizes and shapes definitely was a bit much.
There were many bits that are truly laugh out loud funny. The comparison of the two middle-aged men's lives -- one adjusting to being a happy family man; the other still grasping for the opportunities of youth -- was at times very poignant and reminiscent (to me) of "Man Child" for those who might have seen it.
While the beauty of the north country in the rain struck me, as a northwesterner, as a bit ho hum, (Really? Another misty mountainside? Another rainy field?) it was interesting to see where Coleridge and Wordsworth et al found their inspiration.
It was an enjoyable piece of work. Not excellent, but good enough with plenty of laughs to even out the more melancholy moments.
The SIFF line was definitely part of this movie’s charm. I stood amongst a bunch of cheery middle aged Brit ex-pats who were all very keen about seeing The Coogs and shared chit chat about the last time they were home and were very excited to think they might catch a glimpse of some random village they’d been to. I enjoyed that tremendously. That of course is part of what makes SIFF special.
But we’re talking BritCom here so let’s give those expectations a pass.
Click to viewSteve Coogan and comedian pal Rob Bryden (his last choice after no one else will go ) head off into the northern wilds on assignment for The Observer to check out fine dining in beautiful desolate countryside that looks a lot like Oregon in winter. And it rains constantly. And there is no cell connection to be had unless you’re standing in the middle of a field or climb up the top of some damn moor.
Which makes it tough on Steve Coogan, desperate to connect with his agent, his girlfriend who he’s unwillingly “on a break” from, or his office staff who is very patient with him indeed.
When it works, it works very well. It’s funny and charming and thoughtful. When it doesn’t hit the mark you sigh for a bit, waiting for the minutes to tick past until they catch their rhythm again.
I wonder if it worked better as a TV series. I found, as a movie, watching them endlessly eating meals that could have served as hats for the royal wedding, eventually made me queasy. All those endless cooks cooking endless scallops of all different sizes and shapes definitely was a bit much.
There were many bits that are truly laugh out loud funny. The comparison of the two middle-aged men's lives -- one adjusting to being a happy family man; the other still grasping for the opportunities of youth -- was at times very poignant and reminiscent (to me) of "Man Child" for those who might have seen it.
While the beauty of the north country in the rain struck me, as a northwesterner, as a bit ho hum, (Really? Another misty mountainside? Another rainy field?) it was interesting to see where Coleridge and Wordsworth et al found their inspiration.
It was an enjoyable piece of work. Not excellent, but good enough with plenty of laughs to even out the more melancholy moments.
The SIFF line was definitely part of this movie’s charm. I stood amongst a bunch of cheery middle aged Brit ex-pats who were all very keen about seeing The Coogs and shared chit chat about the last time they were home and were very excited to think they might catch a glimpse of some random village they’d been to. I enjoyed that tremendously. That of course is part of what makes SIFF special.