dglink
Although earnest and well meaning, "The Trip" eventually falls victim to a series of preposterous plot turns and derivative rip-offs of other movies. Set in the 1970's and early 1980's, a romance develops between gay activist Tommy and closeted Republican writer Alan. Opposites do attract, and the appealing leads, which are played by Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun, have chemistry and try hard to make the absurd seem convincing. When Alan's book, which is critical of gay rights, is published without his consent, the work undercuts Tommy's political activism. However, the two men, who have been together several years at this point, never discuss the matter or work toward a solution. Evidently, their relationship takes a back seat to everything else, which, in this film, includes even the proverbial kitchen sink. Without revealing too much of the convoluted plot, a "Thelma and Louise" spree unexpectedly develops in Mexico, Alan's mother breaks in on a dinner party and takes to looting the silverware, and an airline ticket clerk turns into a Medusa when Tommy coughs during check-in. Do not even ask how these segments fit together.Director-writer Miles Swain had too many ideas swirling around simultaneously. Instead of focusing on the evolving relationship between Tommy and Alan, Swain wanders all over the gay landscape. Fortunately, he does find some amusing characters, especially a spacey Valley Girl, wonderfully played by Sirena Irwin; her initial encounter with Tommy is one of the film's best scenes. Jill St. John also has a great time as Alan's free-spirited mother, and she enlivens every scene she steals. Unfortunately, Alexis Arquette fills the requisite dizzy-queen stereotype, and his over-the-top performance eventually grates.Swain evidently never decided if "The Trip" was to be a comedy, a romance, or a political discourse, because the film rambles into each genre without developing any focus. While the movie is generally entertaining, especially for undemanding fans of PG-rated gay-romances, Swain's work is less than the sum of its parts. Although actresses St. John and Irwin walk off with the honors in a boy-boy romance, Sullivan and Braun hold their own when on their own. If viewers can suspend disbelief for 90 minutes, they may be modestly entertained. However, whatever their feelings about the film, everyone will keep "The Trip" near the TV just to replay the priceless scene when Anita Bryant received a pie in the face.
Jay Harris
We just finished viewing this 95 (very long) minute film.We must have see a different version than the 40% who gave this a 10.It is a derivative gay themed story line about 2 men over a period of years ( you guessed right-SPOILER) ONE OF THEM DIES. How many times do we have to see this contrived manipulation.Some scenes are so far fetched they are hard to believe and laughable instead of being poignant.Both my partner of nearly 40 years and I have traveled all over the southwest USA, & never once came across anything like what some scenes portray. The gay characters are complete stereotypes & the so called straights are ALL homophobic to some degree.I do not know who the actors are who play the leads, They are attractive, BUT they both need good hard spankings.The only 2 actors I know of are Jill St.John as the mother of one of the boys. & sorry to say she comes across as stupid,The other is Alexis Arguette (brother to David & Patricia). he may be gay in realife but he should take lessons from his talented siblings & stop being so insultingly stereotypical.The cinematography is the best part of the film,not enough though to recommend seeing it even as a rentalrating **-- out of 4-----52 points out of 100----- IMDb 4 out of 10
philipt1978
I absolutely fell in love with this film it was funny and sooo romantic and was everything I look for in a movie for gay men and their followers! The film was compelling and the romance between the two leads was the best I have seen in a very long time. Also Jill St. John was great and raised the question where has she been! However, to me the film changed and at the end of one of the most wonderfully romantic films, I was watching one of the saddest I have ever seen. All I can say was that a great film left me hugely depressed and I wondered why can't their be a happy ending for any gay films that deal with romance as well as this one did? This is film not real life and when you make a loving couple so lovable together what the director did was wrong. Sorry if you disagree but these are my feelings! P.S I was so upset by the end I had a nightmare and I never get them from films!
Sly_Svaak
Loved this movie! Sweet storyline, great writing and directing as well as great acting. Cast is very cute and makes you believe in the characters they are playing. I loved the fact that it is drawn out over 14 years and it intercepts real video images of events that were going on in the years the movie took place. It's been a while since a movie made me laugh and cry and wish that these characters were real so that I could meet them. I only wish that Tommy didn't have to die (sorry if I spoiled it for you) but then that's what made it so real. If he hadn't, it would have been a totally different movie so I guess the writer knew what he was doing. I hope that Miles Swain will provide us with a sequel... would watch it in a heartbeat!
