Parents' Guide to

The Trip to Italy

By Tom Cassidy, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Sunnier comedy food-tour sequel has swearing, adult themes.

Movie NR 2014 108 minutes
The Trip to Italy Poster Image

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While 2011's The Trip was an excellent movie, but a hard ride to be along on, this is a deeper, more complex experience and one that is ultimately about acceptance of people's flaws. The Trip to Italy starts with a meta conversation between Coogan and Brydon, about how second films in series are never as good. It's a sign this trip could veer off on a pretentious, self-referential route. Thankfully a few minutes later, the familiar, naturalistic groove starts again as the two friends, tasked with reviewing restaurants, relax on their trip across a gloriously-shot Italy.

This time around, Brydon's character is the focus. Set up in the first movie as "the good guy" of the pair, an act of infidelity in Italy brings in another texture to the already rich characterization. In contrast, Coogan -- in a more reparative mindset than the selfish character in The Trip -- tries to improve relations with his children. He also attempts -- but fails -- to avoid alcohol. There are still some YouTube-ready scenes of the duo facing off with more celebrity impersonations. But the main thrust of the movie is a study of middle-aged men and their fears. By exploring what the pair are scared of reveals what drives them, and an extra couple of hours in their company results in a warmer movie -- fitting for the climate in which it's shot -- which takes care to show the characters' moments of kindness and humility.

Movie Details

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