Tuesday 31 January 2012

The Trip

Home
Smell the Movies
Smell the TV

Transmitted:November 2010 - December 2010
Country of origin:UK
Genre:Mockumentary, Personal conflict, Professional rivalry
Starring:Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan
Rating:5/5
No. of seasons:1

Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan play exaggerated versions of themselves.

When Coogan is offered a job by The Observer to travel the north of England, taking in the finest cuisine at top rated restaurants in order to write a series of articles, his heart is set on his girlfriend accompanying him. When she refuses, he is compelled to call on Brydon to be his travelling companion for the week.
Almost instantly, the pair begin to grate on each others’ nerves and, each day, the same ritual is followed: travel to the restaurant through the stunning wilderness of The Lake District or the Yorkshire Moors and other such beautiful locations, eat and, during, attempt polite conversation that swiftly descends into criticism and mockery of the others' career and respective talents.

And damned funny it is, too.
Though not as vicious or acerbic as, say, Coogan's Alan Partridge material or Brydon's Annually Retentive stuff, still this has real wit.
The bitterness of the banter, particularly from Coogan's point of view, is always interesting, but this really sparkles when the pair of them riff off each other, bursting into impromptu improvisations and comic tableau; the Ray Winstone bit had me in physical pain.
A brave concept, especially for Coogan as he comes across as terribly embittered and miserable, this is a real gem.
I watched the lot, back to back, so that must say something about the quality.
Great.
Find an episode guide here

No comments:

Post a Comment