The Trip

 

The film, The Trip, from director Michael Winterbottom, follows Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon—two actual English and Welsh actors', respectively—on a trip to northern England. While the story is fictional, it is based on the two actors personas and follows up previous collaborations, A Cock and Bull Story and 24 Hour Party People, over the course of six meals at six restaurants on a trip sponsored by The Observer. Originally, the trip was meant to be a romantic getaway for Coogan and his foodie girlfriend, Mischa (Margo Stilley), who returned to America during a break in their relationship and to pursue her own career. When those plans fall through, and after supposedly asking other people, Coogan asks Brydon as a last resort to be his companion on the trip.

While the movie is focused on their slightly awkward and competitive interactions as opposed to the food they eat, the film was funny and light hearted. We see several mini impersonation competitions and get a brief look into the less than impressive state of Steve Coogan's love life and acting career and how he is coping with the two. Although neither Coogan nor Brydon is particularly concerned in the food, it was interesting to see the juxtaposition between the chefs that were carefully creating the dishes against the less than elegant manner in which Coogan and Brydon critiqued the food, at one point comparing a soup to snot. On top of the duo's dinner antics, the audience sees several plates of scallops, pork belly or artfully covered with foam.

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