The Trip to Spain
Low-key third movie in comedy road trip series has swearing.
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The Trip to Spain
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Trip to Spain is the third comedic outing in the series of The Trip movies starring semi-improvised, fictionalized versions of actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. The pair travel across Spain together on a week-long restaurant review assignment for two newspapers. Along the way they reveal a few more home truths and vocally spar in their attempts to do the best celebrity impersonations. These impersonations have become what the movies are known for -- De Niro, Bowie, Jagger to name but some -- and occasionally feature swearing, including variations of "f--k." The movie series continues to be a sympathetic but honest study of middle-aged men and the attitude and vulnerability of actors. Complex relationships are depicted, including a character's affair with a married woman and references to being a better parent. The characters travel in a Range Rover car, which is shot at times like a car advertisement and is discussed by the characters. Alcohol is consumed with meals, although Coogan's character abstains.
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What's the Story?
In THE TRIP TO SPAIN, improvised, fictionalized versions of the actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon pair up again for another restaurant road-trip, this time in Spain. However, much of their time together is spent competing to do the best celebrity impersonations, while juggling their relationships and careers in private.
Is It Any Good?
Even in a movie series that has been explicitly understated and concerned with what's not said rather than what is, The Trip to Spain is the most low-key yet. While The Trip depicted (the fictional) Coogan's affair and The Trip To Italy's centerpiece story was Brydon's infidelity, we meet them this time around at seemingly more stable points in their lives. The same beats are followed as before -- it starts with a phone call, Coogan picks Brydon up from his family home, and they set off across beautifully shot countryside trying delectable looking food along the way.
Coogan remains self-serious and preoccupied with his image, while trying to best Brydon's impersonations. But behind closed doors he's trying to be a better person, both in his romantic relationship and with his family. It's another layer to what is otherwise a now familiar path. But although The Trip to Spain doesn't break any new ground it is as funny, familiar, thought-provoking, and melancholic as the series has ever been.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of strong language in The Trip to Spain. Was it necessary to the story? Who do you think the movie's intended audience is? How can you tell?
Discuss the relationship between Coogan and Brydon. Do they seem to be friends or just colleagues? What makes a good friendship?
Coogan is trying to become a better father. What makes a good father? What character strengths are required?
How does this movie compare to the first two of The Trip movies? What did/didn't you prefer?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 11, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: December 12, 2017
- Cast: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Rebecca Johnson
- Director: Michael Winterbottom
- Studio: IFC Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Cooking and Baking, Friendship, Holidays
- Run time: 108 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 25, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Trip
Clever road-trip comedy has swearing, drugs, sex references.
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The Trip to Italy
Sunnier comedy food-tour sequel has swearing, adult themes.
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Sideways
Excellent but explicit movie is not for kids.
For kids who love comedy
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