This, dear friends, is why I go to TIFF. Where else would I get to enjoy the big screen experience of two fantastic brit comics playing out a scene that involves duelling Michael Caine impressions??!!
Five years ago, Michael Winterbottom, Steve Coogan, and Rob Brydon collaborated on the bounty of wry wit that is TRISTAM SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY. Now they have returned on a new project, where Coogan and Brydon once again play versions of themself. This time, the project is THE TRIP; a story in which Coogan has planned a week-long foodie tour of Northern England. When his girlfriend drops out at the last minute - and he can't think of anyone else to join him - he reaches out to Brydon.
The project is mind-blowingly self aware, since both men refer to actual accomplishments and ambitions. The film then takes these glimmers of truth and holds them up to a funhouse mirror. What we get is a journey where Coogan doesn't enjoy Brydon's company so much as he endures it. Coogan is full of self-loathing, one-upmanship, and existentialism. Brydon...he's full of wholesomeness when he phones his wife every night...and a deep arsenal of impressions the rest of the time.
Together they spend their week enjoying some truly decadent looking food, and spurring a sometimes cordial, sometimes bitter, always funny to-and-fro.
(Which includes the aforementioned, endlessly hilarious, duelling Michael Caines)
Quite simply - THE TRIP is hilarious, which is no small feat when one considers that so much of it involves endless scenes of celebrity impressions. It is wonderfully constructed from endless hours of footage, much of it a true marvel of Coogan and Brydon's improv abilities. If I have any regrets, it's that I'll have to wait to see the longer version which will air in the UK as six 30 minute episodes.
The film is a delight, and if you're still unsure about seeing it, remind yourself: duelling Michael Caines.
THE TRIP plays TIFF twice more - Monday September 13th at 12pm, and Sunday September 19th at 3pm. In the UK, the series will air on BBC2 later this fall.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
TIFF Review: THE TRIP
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8 comments:
I quite enjoy Rob Brydon, his approach is quite different from lots of other comics out there (far more made for TV than stand up). Coogan is always amusing, even if his film selections have been a bit polarizing. I shall definitely check this out when it makes a US appearance! Thanks for letting me know of its existence.
It's sad to think of how underused Coogan is in American films. He's been hilarious in 3 Winterbottom films but I can't think of a single memorable thing he has done outside of that.
@ Univarn... I must echo Kurt from Row Three and say that no US director seems to know exactly what to do with Steve Coogan. With that in mind, HAMLET 2 is actually pretty darned funny. Look for this on dvd after the series airs in the UK.
@ Mike... He was pretty funny in TROPIC THUNDER for those few minutes, wasn't he?
Never even heard of this but it sounds freaking great. Good write-up, man. Looking forward to it.
Hatter - Yes, he was funny. He was funny in Hamlet 2 as well. But is just being funny enough from a man who is constantly hilarious when allowed to be himself? It's certainly worth something but every time he's in a big movie it's like a natural star is forced into playing below his capabilities, no?
@ Aiden... For a primer, get your hands on a film called TRISTAM SHANDY: A COCK & BULL STORY. Same team created it, same self aware humour, and a scene or two that serves as a primer for what you get in this film.
@ Mike... Yeah, I hear what you're saying. Perhaps we'd all be better off if we just stick with watching him flex his muscles in Brit humour.
Really looking forward to this. Both are talented actors and comedians, and I've had the pleasure of seeing Rob's impressions live, so the idea of a duelling Michael Caines does indeed seem irresistible. Fantastic blog Hatter, thanks for agreeing with my review of Tamara Drewe, shall have to check out some of the gems you've checked out on here
@ MR. T... (Welcome to The Matinee!) You have me very jealous since I imagine you'll get to see the extended six episode version on BBC 2. Make sure when they air you write about them so fans like me across the pond can know what we're missing!
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