The Trip

The Trip is a film that follows Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon (playing "Steve Coogan" and "Rob Brydon") on a five day roadtrip (hence the title) to some restaurants in the north of England that "Coogan" is writing reviews of. The vast majority of the film's run time is filled with them busting each others balls, and making fun of the other's impressions. "Brydon" in particular spends much of his time lampooning "Coogan's" pretentiousness, but it never feels forced or particularly mean spirited. Just two guys with a shared history acting silly on a road trip. When the film stays focused on this dynamic it works pretty well, and their interactions are generally pretty funny (though at two hours its a bit long). Where the film doesn't work is when it tries to shoehorn in a plot about "Coogan" breaking up with his girlfriend and trying to find meaning in a successful yet shallow life. None of this comes off as particularly profound, and really just feels worked in because somebody thought a more conventional plot line was needed. Thankfully it doesn't make up the majority of the run time, but it definitely kills the momentum whenever it intrudes. Really I just would have been fine with 90 minutes of Coogan and Brydon talking smack and left it at that. Not everything has to have profound implications (which is what I told you sister after our date last night).