Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon; the Kings of deadpan dinners and impressive impersonations are off on another cheeky tax deductible holiday.
After jaunts through Northern England (THE TRIP, 2010) and Italy (THE TRIP TO ITALY, 2014), Coogan and Brydon are back on the road, embarking on a third culinary crawl – this time across Spain.
With the pair hitting middle age, there’s wonderful opportunity for comedic self flagellation and intelligent reflections on the process of ageing. There’s still that lovely undercurrent of jealousy too. As with the previous Trip films, you can’t help but wonder why these two are friends…is it because no one else can put up with them? Probably.
While their youth may be slipping away, the improvisational skill of Coogan and Brydon remains fighting fit. They have an effortless chemistry, and are so darn likeable together, we can forgive them for the fact that this film doesn’t quite fire on all cylinders at all times.
Why? Possibly because it’s the third film following the same formula. Sure, it’s an enjoyable formula and worth another visit, but it doesn’t stand out in the trilogy.
As is usual with the Trip flicks, the narrative is flimsy. There’s enough to hold the movie together, but the film relies on the intelligent ramblings of its two stars to keep the audience entertained. And, for the most part, they do.
The pleasantly plodding plot is punctuated by lovely classical interludes in the soundtrack, and fun sing alongs in the car. There’s also gorgeous sweeping aerial shots that make the most of Spain’s romantic landscape.
THE TRIP TO SPAIN may have benefited from some tighter editing. At just shy of two hours, it’s a little long. The improv is good, but it doesn’t quite sustain the 1hour 55 minute runtime.
Much like a middle age road trip across Spain might be; THE TRIP TO SPAIN is a pretty and pleasant journey. It’s relaxed, it’s enjoyable…and it’s getting 7 stars from me.
