One of the more unexpected hits this year on the art house circuit was Michael Winterbottom's "The Trip." Initially designated to a very limited release, the film received great word of mouth largely due to a scene featuring dueling Michael Caine impersonations which became an outright cultural phenomenon. With this sequence becoming a genuine YouTube sensation, the movie eventually rolled out to a much wider distribution in over 100 major markets. It's an interesting success story about this unassuming little film that redefines the road movie AND the art of conversation. Interestingly enough, the movie is simply a condensed version of a six part television series that aired in Britain in 2010 (which incidentally won Steve Coogan a BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy). If you've had the opportunity to see the original source material, you will obviously be familiar with the content of Winterbottom's film. It utilizes the exact same footage. But in "The Trip," the narrative is tightened up for an enjoyable two hour ride.

In truth, there's not a lot of plotting to "The Trip." Comedian Coogan and the fantastic Rob Brydon play fictional counterparts of their real life personas. Coogan has been contracted by a local paper to review a series of the country's finest restaurants. When his girlfriend backs out on the trip, Coogan scrambles for a replacement settling for a friendly acquaintance that he has worked with in the past (Brydon). In a largely improvisational manner, the two companions bicker and provoke one another with a playful respect. Brydon continually lapses into terrific impersonations and challenges Coogan to much verbal sparring. Over the course of numerous meals and much travel time, the movie plays as the daft cousin to "My Dinner With Andre" as the two showbiz professionals ruminate on life, love, food, friendship, and career. That's really about it, but the film is never short of fascinating. Coogan's character has an underlying insecurity and his bluster with Brydon alternates between silliness and scathing wit.

If the idea of watching two friends talking sounds excruciating to you, you probably aren't the movie's intended audience. "The Trip," despite its adherence to improvisational dialogue, is easily one of the year's smartest and most literate films. Coogan and Brydon are perfect guides on this journey which also features enough restaurant footage and gourmet dishes to engage even the most discerning foodie. While there are no big dramatic revelations, the film does subtly get under your skin. By the end, you realize that this friendly excursion has caused each to realize what is important in life. In fact, it's a very understated film amidst some big comic grandstanding.

The DVD features solid extras. As there was so much footage to choose from, the deleted scenes segment is rather extensive (running about 80 minutes, but with no access menu which is problematic). My favorite bonus material? An extended sequence on wine and a profane musical interlude. There is also Behind the Scenes and Making Of features. In fact, if you watch all of the extras at one sitting--you'll probably spend about the same time (or slightly more) than you invested in watching the actual movie! A great film backed by a great DVD. I might have liked the movie packaged with the TV series, but I understand we're dealing with two separate entities with different distribution companies backing them. But maybe someday. Anyway, check this one out if you enjoy bright dialogue and are a fan of Coogan and/or Brydon. It's a winner. KGHarris, 10/11.

We Rise at 9:30!
Funny, loopy stuff that puts me in mind of SCTV (for me, the highest praise). It might be even funnier to Americans than to folks in the UK. We (I should say, I) don't really know these two. Is Steve Coogan REALLY famous over there for some kind of cheesey comedy show and is now seeking roles for more critical acclaim, or is that all made up? And is Rob Brydon truly well-known for being able to throw his voice in a weird, muffled way? I like how they sometimes got on each other's nerves but basically liked each other; I had feared some horrible Gervais-ish snarkfest with non-stop attacks on The Dumb Guy.

The shots of the countryside were so beautiful they should have had a link to British Airways.

Be sure to check out the Food Cut in the bonus features. And let me know what dish it was that had a saucepan filled with butter, brown sugar, honey and creme anglaise--I think I passed out.

Oh, and Coogan's Michael Caine was better.

One of the more unexpected hits this year on the art house circuit was Michael Winterbottom's "The Trip." Initially designated to a very limited release, the film received great word of mouth largely due to a scene featuring dueling Michael Caine impersonations which became an outright cultural phenomenon. With this sequence becoming a genuine YouTube sensation, the movie eventually rolled out to a much wider distribution in over 100 major markets. It's an interesting success story about this unassuming little film that redefines the road movie AND the art of conversation. Interestingly enough, the movie is simply a condensed version of a six part television series that aired in Britain in 2010 (which incidentally won Steve Coogan a BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy). If you've had the opportunity to see the original source material, you will obviously be familiar with the content of Winterbottom's film. It utilizes the exact same footage. But in "The Trip," the narrative is tightened up for an enjoyable two hour ride.

In truth, there's not a lot of plotting to "The Trip." Comedian Coogan and the fantastic Rob Brydon play fictional counterparts of their real life personas. Coogan has been contracted by a local paper to review a series of the country's finest restaurants. When his girlfriend backs out on the trip, Coogan scrambles for a replacement settling for a friendly acquaintance that he has worked with in the past (Brydon). In a largely improvisational manner, the two companions bicker and provoke one another with a playful respect. Brydon continually lapses into terrific impersonations and challenges Coogan to much verbal sparring. Over the course of numerous meals and much travel time, the movie plays as the daft cousin to "My Dinner With Andre" as the two showbiz professionals ruminate on life, love, food, friendship, and career. That's really about it, but the film is never short of fascinating. Coogan's character has an underlying insecurity and his bluster with Brydon alternates between silliness and scathing wit.

If the idea of watching two friends talking sounds excruciating to you, you probably aren't the movie's intended audience. "The Trip," despite its adherence to improvisational dialogue, is easily one of the year's smartest and most literate films. Coogan and Brydon are perfect guides on this journey which also features enough restaurant footage and gourmet dishes to engage even the most discerning foodie. While there are no big dramatic revelations, the film does subtly get under your skin. By the end, you realize that this friendly excursion has caused each to realize what is important in life. In fact, it's a very understated film amidst some big comic grandstanding. Anyway, check this one out if you enjoy bright dialogue and are a fan of Coogan and/or Brydon. It's a winner. KGHarris, 10/11.