THE TRIP TO ITALY – The Review

As the Summer winds down to a precious few last days, many folks wait until the season’s last hurrah, the Labor Day holiday, to finally “get outta’ Dodge”. If you can’t find the time or funds perhaps you can head to the theatre and watch someone else hit the trail. A few weeks ago movie goers watched two men of a certain mature age head off for adventure in Iceland in LAND HO in an improvisational pseudo-documentary. Well, now two seasoned comedy pros who scored with a similar flick a few years back have returned to vacation once more. Now I’m not talking about a re-discovered, unearthed from the film vaults Hope and Crosby road picture. No sir, this is the return of a more recent comedy team: Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, and unlike most teams they take turns being the straight man. Four years ago director Michael Winterbottom (A MIGHTY HEART) followed them around Britain as they ate fabulous meals, stayed in plush hotels, viewed the gorgeous countryside, and engaged in hilarious comedic riffs for a celebrated BBC-TV show which was edited down to the raucous travelogue, THE TRIP. So, where do they journey for this new outing? Pack your bags, appetites, and funny bones as Steve and Rob embark on THE TRIP TO ITALY.

As this entry begins Steve Coogan gets a call from his old pal Rob Brydon. Seems that the Observer was so pleased with their articles from four years ago, they want to send the guys to Italy. Since Coogan’s latest TV series didn’t get renewed, he’s ready for a change of scenery. Soon they’re driving through the countryside in a rented Mini-Cooper, which inspires another round of dueling Michael Caine impressions at the first of six luxury restaurants, along with other comedic flights of fancy. For one meal they must board a plush sailcraft run by two lovely English-speaking hostesses. As the trip continues we learn that much of the dynamic from the first film has changed. At the end of the evenings the newly sober Coogan rushes to his laptop for video-chat bonding with his sixteen year-old son Joe (Timothy Leach), who seems to be constantly clashing with Coogan’s ex-wife. Brydon is the focus of much of the tension this time as his idyllic marriage appears to be straining at the seams despite their recent addition, an adorable daughter. While he faces temptation, Rob also braces for a possible career change as he prepares to audition for a high-profile American feature film. But as the two men deal with problems back home, they must keep going and endure the delicious meals and sublime sights and sounds of Italy. Oh, the humanity…

The film works because of the easy rapport and affection between the two British comic stars. But this is not merely a rehash of what worked so well in the previous outing (one of their topics is the disappointment factor in sequels, much as with this Summer’s 22 JUMP STREET). This film version of Coogan (similar to actors playing themselves in shows such in TV shows like “Extras” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) references some of the tabloid stories about him and so “Trip Steve” eases up on the booze and skirt-chasing. He’s turning into a more responsible adult especially in his exchanges with Leach as that rare teenager that really likes hanging with Dad. But there’s still a touch of the earlier arrogant Steve as his jealousy flares at the thought of Rob bagging a major movie gig. The big surprise here is the change in the often annoyingly affable Brydon (who acknowledges his “nice guy” rep in a great riff). He’s still too eager to please and quick with a celeb mimic (his Hugh Grant is stunning), but here we get that’s it often masks his insecurities and relationship problems. He’s about to enter the higher show biz echelons like Steve, and it worries him. That and the fact that this nice guy is engaging in some not-so-nice behaviors. I’m making this sound like heavy drama, but really the laughs are as long and frequent as the first flick, particularly when Steve calls out Rob on some iffy bits of mimicry (really what’s up with his Christian Bale?). Happily Steve’s nurturing agent/rep Emma played again by Claire Keelan joins them with her own big life change. Oh, and the dishes (not just pasta!) look mouth-watering with several shots of the busy kitchen crew crafting their art (really great presentations). Plus the Italian scenery at the beach, overlooking the hills, and inside the city (Steve steering his lil’ Cooper through those busy Rome streets is a true nail-biter!) should cause a big spike in tourism. Once more director/writer Winterbottom has given us another superb comedy travelogue with two of the screen’s funniest duos. Leave the passport at home and be sure and grab a ticket for THE TRIP TO ITALY.

4 Out of 5

THE TRIP TO ITALY screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinemas