David O'ConnellThe Trip
June 28th 2011 05:35
Strengthening his determination to never make the same film twice in a row, that chameleon of a director, Michael Winterbottom, seems to be in holiday mode for his latest, The Trip, a cut-to-size comedy which began life as a TV series. It follows the freewheeling exploits of a couple of famous British comedians playing themselves.
Steve Coogan is requested by a magazine to travel the north of England to partake of the culinary riches the region has to offer and write a few articles on his findings. His proposed partner on this road trip, American girlfriend Mischa (Margo Stilley), has pulled the plug, leaving him in a bind. As a replacement he calls upon occasional friend and colleague Rob Brydon, a comic best known for his impeccable and hilarious celebrity impressions.
Together they leisurely traverse the countryside, absorbing the often quite beautiful vistas along the way. Secretly Coogan bemoans the absence of Mischa whilst niggling away at Brydon. The pair is great together, no doubt, bouncing off one another with a familiarity that can only be attributed to their genuine friendship.
Yet it’s not all lightness for both allow tiny jealousies and resentments they harbour for the other to occasionally creep into their interactions as one another’s continual company becomes a bit wearying. Then there’s Coogan’s self-doubts creeping into his dreams where he’s subliminally designated aspirations of making much bigger films in Hollywood (more in the vein of Tropical Thunder, perhaps, directed by Ben Stiller who makes a funny cameo).
The initial article that sets the plot in motion is quickly discarded for Coogan never takes notes on or special interest in the various meals. The main objective here is to take to the road and build a fictional framework around two men who are presumably improvising all the way. Michael Nyman's music is used to good effect though it's virtually all recycled from past scores, including most notably a moving melancholy theme from Winterbottom's own (and possibly best) film, Wonderland (1999).
The over-length and lackadaisical pacing ensure a few mild flat spots but overall Coogan and Brydon make for consistently entertaining company. The impersonation battles are certainly amongst the film’s highlights; continual attempts to outdo one another at James Bond, Michael Caine and Woody Allen provide the biggest bellyaches.
Regardless of the episodic nature of proceedings and a sense of repetition, some things never get old. The Trip (2010) is light, undemanding entertainment. There’s even an intimation or two of genuine tenderness along the way; it too, feels unforced, providing a fittingly neat coda.
The Trip opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday, June 30.
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