There’s something uniquely fascinating about an actor playing a version of himself. In 2010’s The Trip, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon do just that, and the effect is both hilarious and oddly touching. Though it’s hard to say how much of themselves they put into their characters, there’s certainly enough that the final product feels intensely personal.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom, the film tells the tale of struggling actor Steve, who is asked by The Observer to review fine restaurants across the English countryside. When his girlfriend declines to accompany him, he extends an invitation to Rob, and the two embark on a journey full of bragging, bickering, and brilliant celebrity impersonations.
The film is largely improvised, and Winterbottom does a marvelous job of keeping up with his actors and maintaining the plot pacing and clarity, as well as contrasting the acerbic dialogue with stunning shots of the landscape. He shapes the story perfectly, wrapping it up with a surprisingly deep ending that packs quite an emotional punch.
As for Coogan and Brydon, they’re both in top form. Coogan does brooding beautifully, drawing us in to his character’s mid-life crisis without becoming totally unlikeable. He has an able scene partner in the buoyant Brydon, who brings a boyish glee to the proceedings. Together, they are magnetic, matching each other’s wit line for line and creating a conflict that is almost uncomfortably funny.
Fans of British comedy will adore The Trip for its willingness to go a little darker than expected. It’s a rare film that dares to tackle middle age meltdowns and Michael Caine impressions in the same beat.
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