Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clever road-trip comedy has swearing, drugs, sex references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Trip
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE TRIP, a fictionalized version of the actor Steve Coogan is sent by a newspaper on a week-long tour of high-end restaurants in the north of England. When his girlfriend drops out, he asks his friend, Rob Brydon, to go with him. But as the pair spend more time together, their egos clash.
Is It Any Good?
This comedy-drama is a deceptively deep and downbeat character study. Originally aired in the U.K. as a six-part TV series, The Trip is best known for the YouTube clips of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon battling over dinner to see who can do the best celebrity impersonations. But there's far more to this feature-length movie than who does the best Michael Caine. Coogan and Brydon have both done excellent work with director Michael Winterbottom before (24 Hour Party People, A Cock and Bull Story) and here, between the bombast of the impersonations, the director draws out of them superb performances portraying actors desperately driven by ego.
Based on real-life tabloid reports of his life, Coogan's character comes out worst: a self-centered, jealous womanizer for whom nothing appears to be enough. The movie's masterstroke is how this character is relatively loathsome but still carries pathos. Set against the beautifully shot but bleak landscape of northern England, it has an undercurrent of melancholia that makes the end of the week-long trip feel almost a relief. But the journey is entirely worth it to see such subtle but pitch-perfect performances that linger long after the movie ends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of strong language in The Trip. Was it necessary to the story? Who do you think the movie's intended audience is? How can you tell?
Discuss the movie's attitude toward sex. Do characters seem more interested in casual sex or in establishing deeper connections?
How are smoking, drinking, and drugs portrayed in the movie? Do you think substance use is glamorized or shown in a positive light? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Talk about Coogan and Brydon's relationship. Would you call them friends? What do you think was the cause of some of their clashes? What makes a good friendship?
What do you think makes a world-class restaurant?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 10, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2011
- Cast : Steve Coogan , Rob Brydon , Rebecca Johnson
- Director : Michael Winterbottom
- Studio : IFC Films
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Cooking , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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