The Trip, for me, brought up some emotions I had not expected. Here is a movie that at it's simplest form, is a "buddy comedy" where we get to enjoy the subtle humor and conversation of Coogan and Brydon. But as it develops we are made to witness the darker and deeper side of their characters and the tragic weight that life can have. Throughout the film, we see a light-hearted Brydon who seems to be enjoying the trip as well as toying with his friend, Steve Coogan. Coogan also enjoys bantering back and forth, but with a much more cynical and darker outlook. Part of it we know is his relationship with his girlfriend is falling apart and he is distant from his son both literally and figuratively. While it's clear that Brydon is more content with his life (He has a wife and kids), he doesn't seem to ever reach any real depth in his conversations with Coogan. Everything remains at a superficial level, which as the film goes on, creates more underlying tension. The last scene is what really brought this movie home for me. Coogan, coming home to his white-washed empty loft overlooking the city, stands on the balcony staring out into the night. You literally can feel the pain of his loneliness and the sinking feeling that no matter what you try to fill your life with to distract you, reality will set in and you will have to deal with yourself and your life. I relate to Coogan's character. I have been in very similar situations and it is easy to try and escape your reality because you would do anything to avoid facing the fact that your unhappy. The problem is reality bites back harder. But it is a good lesson that we can't run away from who we are. Sooner or later, we have to level with ourselves and decide how we want to live. After all, my shit isn't just my shit. It effects everything and everyone I'm around. But If I decide to live for the people in my life rather than just myself, I think happiness and contentment can follow.
The Trip, for me, brought up some emotions I had not expected. Here is a movie that at it's simplest form, is a "buddy comedy" where we get to enjoy the subtle humor and conversation of Coogan and Brydon. But as it develops we are made to witness the darker and deeper side of their characters and the tragic weight that life can have. Throughout the film, we see a light-hearted Brydon who seems to be enjoying the trip as well as toying with his friend, Steve Coogan. Coogan also enjoys bantering back and forth, but with a much more cynical and darker outlook. Part of it we know is his relationship with his girlfriend is falling apart and he is distant from his son both literally and figuratively. While it's clear that Brydon is more content with his life (He has a wife and kids), he doesn't seem to ever reach any real depth in his conversations with Coogan. Everything remains at a superficial level, which as the film goes on, creates more underlying tension. The last scene is what really brought this movie home for me. Coogan, coming home to his white-washed empty loft overlooking the city, stands on the balcony staring out into the night. You literally can feel the pain of his loneliness and the sinking feeling that no matter what you try to fill your life with to distract you, reality will set in and you will have to deal with yourself and your life. I relate to Coogan's character. I have been in very similar situations and it is easy to try and escape your reality because you would do anything to avoid facing the fact that your unhappy. The problem is reality bites back harder. But it is a good lesson that we can't run away from who we are. Sooner or later, we have to level with ourselves and decide how we want to live. After all, my shit isn't just my shit. It effects everything and everyone I'm around. But If I decide to live for the people in my life rather than just myself, I think happiness and contentment can follow.
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