Loved this. I never imagined they’d try to make make a sequel to Tristram Shandy – or rather Coogan/Winterbottom’s film version of it – yet here it is, much more casual, charming and enjoyable.
Rob Brydon – a guy I had completely forgotten about – reprises his role as himself as well, accompanying Coogan on an Observer (newspaper) sponsored trip of fine restaurants around the north of England. Coogan had originally intended to take his American girlfriend on the trip, but they’ve semi split-up, so he asks Brydon, who, while seemingly much less of a louse than Coogan, is incredibly annoying, never more than 2 seconds away from an impersonation of Al Pacino or Anthony Hopkins.
Michael Caine also plays an important part, as anyone who has seen the preview knows.
I find myself not wanting to spoil much by explaining more, though this is not the kind of film packed with surprises or twists. There is some lovely scenery, touching moments, excellent looking food, Abba, Alan Partridge jokes, Coleridge, a Joy Division song, and very funny improvisation.
This was long enough, but I found myself wishing there was more about the food of all things, which takes a backseat in the movie’s second half. I”ll get my wish though: This was edited down from a six episode series which ran last Nov., I’m looking forward to the very extended version which will hopefully dilute the Pacino shtick with Richard Gere, Liam Neeson and Ray Winston.
One of the viewing highlights of my summer. The Coogan/Brydon team is a marvel to watch. The food is pretty good as well–though a little heavy on the scallops.
I watched the original 6-episode BBC2 series, and I wonder which bits were edited out for the theatrical release. Mark, if you want a copy of the series let me know and I can send it to you.
Some wonderful moments, as when Coogan bashes Brydon for his mediocrity. Brydon snaps back by insisting his comedy is popular. And it is–his “small man trapped in a box” bit is quite loved. Coogan is relentless.
But then, at the end of the episode, we watch a worn out Coogan looking at himself in the mirror. He’s a sad, tired man. Then he tries to do Brydon’s small man trapped in a box voice, and he can’t do it. Brydon is a constant reminder that no matter how big a star he has become, Coogan is still something of a failure.
Yes, some wonderful improvisation. And Brydon manages to crack Coogan up several times, though you can tell Coogan doesn’t like to laugh at Brydon’s jokes. Sometimes all Coogan will do is simply acknowledge his friend’s wit: “nice one.”
The scene where a drunken Brydon tries to seduce Coogan’s assistant with his impersonation of Tom Jones is brilliantly awkward.
I wish the trip lasted longer.
Ah-HA!
“You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!”
Ugh. Wish we could easily embed videos on this blog. Coogan in/on the news:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV9Sh_R3wB4
And yes John, the plates of scallops certainly didn’t seem to be edited down. There were half a dozen servings of them in the movie.
Because if I could I would embed this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PAWWeGAKeKY
McMullen: “Britain will be a poorer place without [News of the World].” What a shit.
mark, would you like a map so you can find your asshole?
mark: did you accidentally delete this post?
More Coogan and Brydon. Wish Coogan’s impression of Roger Moore shouting had made it onto “The Trip.”
LOVED this movie! Steve Coogan is always brilliant…I wish he’d make it big, but then he wouldn’t likely put out movies like this (or Tristram Shandy).
Utterly brilliant. Funny, obviously. But also remarkably poignant.
this movie was insufferable. the jokes weren’t funny and the interaction between the two characters was boring and predictable. I really looked forward to watching but couldn’t give a tuppence once the thing started to role forward. oh yeah, the impersonations were shite (and I’m talking about the actors impersonating themselves).
Seriously?
Yeah, seriously? tuppence?
I tried. I really did. It just seemed like so much wankery. I was excited about this (even tried to torrent the British series so as not to miss anything). Perhaps it was over-hyped by this crowd. Coogan was basically playing the same character in that Winterbottom film which was trying really hard to be postmodern. I guess he’s playing himself.
Coogan taking the piss out of that NOTW journalist was excellent.
Seriously? wankery?
Jeff’s the odd fellow, here; I kind of loved this. Or, rather, I saw and loved the first three full episodes of the tv show before my previous computer killed itself, and I didn’t get back to The Trip ’til the condensed film came out… and it was less satisfying. Still very funny, but the more leisurely pace–more time on food prep, more time with the guys chattering–allowed for more of the sadness and anger to reveal itself around/through the imitations.
Ah yes, Jeff watched the movie and not the 6-episode series. Perhaps Mike is on to something. This leads me to wonder what some of our recent favorite films would have been like if they had been watched in several 30-minute installments. Something like Disctict 9 would work well in installments. Maybe even Dark Knight.
With the latest Harry Potter, I just wanted to get it over with in one fell swoop. But with the installment plan, I could have declined to watch the final 30 minute episode and that would have been fine with me.