The Trip

It is unfortunate that the mass media operate as though those of us who enjoy this film do not exist. So, we instead get, excuse my French, a bunch of crap. If John Kerry can indeed change America for the better then getting this and similar films screened on a mass scale would be worth adding to the list of changes needed. "The Trip" begins and ends innocently touching your mind. It does this first by getting you to care about the characters, to like them or to loathe them, and then by the inclusion of David Mixner (ingenious) and Jill St. John (watch the extra features on the dvd for some of her FUNNIEST work!). Their appearance adds flavor and spice to a fresh young cast including the very talented Steve Braun and Larry Sullivan. I was engrossed in every moment. I believe it helped that many involved were, in some cases, re-living some of their own life moments (read: writer/director/exec. producer Miles Swain). Well made, touching, engrossing. What more could a director- ask for? It almost gives you the same feeling as "Big Eden" but without the scripted ending. Kudos, and thank you Miles.

Having seen virtually every gay-themed film that has ever been made and having received A+ grades in all the film studies courses that I took in college, I would like to weigh in on the excellent unique first effort that is "The Trip" written and directed by very talented newcomer Miles Swain. You already know the basic plotline, timeline and substance of The Trip if you have read IMDB's information. My overarching impression of this film is that it feels real and from the heart as it shows us the relationship between two very different gay men as they age through the '70s and '80s, living their lives both together and apart amidst the ongoing struggle for equal rights for gay persons. They say opposites attract and that is very true here for lead characters Larry and Alan who clearly grow to love each other very much. The focus of this film is on the complete persons who are Alan and Larry, not just their sex life, as in so many gay-themed films. Although AIDS unfortunately affects their lives, it does not affect their enduring love, and the director has rightly said that "This is not an AIDS film". It is a delightful, moving, comedy/drama/historical record with universal themes of trusting the power of a faithful love, the importance of honesty and courage, and being true to yourself in the face of a world seemingly always against you. The film is now available on DVD with great extras from TLA Video and is very reasonably priced. It is a *must have* for any quality collection of gay-themed films.

A captivating small film dealing with the relationship of two gay men over many years and the surrounding upheaval of the gay movement. Many wonderful supporting performances contribute to the overall goodwill of the film. Sirena Irwin is a sketch as Beverly the trend jumping Greek chorus and Jill St. John an absolute scene stealer as Alan's boozy wise mom but the entire cast even in the smallest roles are splendid. The musical score is also loaded with excellent choices which really set the right tone for each scene. It all boils down however to the chemistry and performances of the two lead actors which are strong and makes you really like and root for the characters throughout their journey.

I'm well into my mid-30s, and grew up during the age of Reagan and AIDS, which I mention in critiquing this wonderful film, as the lone value of growing up during the 80s was that EVERYTHING became political, and such a setting does teach the value of context.

And in this light, this is a baby-boomer film, the product of a generation older than myself. It's also a moving human drama - a great piece of American indie film that deserves something greater than 'niche' marketing - expressing the history of a movement and the people behind it (in some ways at least) as a living thing, not something read from a history book. Setting up the story as a romantic comedy of sorts, THE TRIP includes classic themes (road movies, which themselves are often modern recastings of ever-valid mythology) as it sweeps from the pre-Watergate 70s to the late 1980s. Incorporating news footage and topical references (seen previously in films as trite as FORREST GUMP, or as brilliant as WEST BEIRUT) marks the passage of time, and offers the maturation of gay politics and philosophy as an ever-present backdrop, and the very short - and touching - final scene, in both symbolic and literal fashion, makes clear the aim of a film like this: to entertain, but also communicate the lessons and truths of a culture across generations. THE TRIP does this beautifully, never falling into didacticism, and it's faith in honest humanity never wavers.

Some remarkable performances - Julie "I Like 'Em Big & Dumb" Brown makes a hysterical appearance, and Alexis Arquette's supporting role is entertaining as well. As a director, Swain is solid in his control of the material, and has a knack (reminiscent of John Sayles) for giving ordinary human settings meaning and not overlooking small details. Like Sayles, he's very un-flashy, preferring a sweet intelligence that lingers long afterwards.

I have no doubt that this film would not have been shown at my local cinema which is why I have only just seen it. This is a shame because I thought that this was a very good film.

It is both a very touching film and also a very funny film with some very sensitive acting from Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun who receive some very good support, most notably from Sirena Irwin and Jill St John, but also from Alexis Arquette, Ray Baker and Dennis Bailey.

It was also both interesting and a very elucidating idea to show the various stages of the life of their relationship against a backdrop of the (gay) politics of the time.

I think that it was a shame that I missed it but a much bigger shame that my local cinema would not have run this type of film as it was of a much higher caliber than some of the pulp that they do show (and I don't refer here to the type or genre of the film but to the acting and production values).