The Trip

I love revisiting all these classics I haven't seen since they were released. The Trip was always one that really touched me. Plot wise there's nothing new here but the performers are adorable, talented and they have great chemistry. The film chronicles the love story between two men who meet under odd circumstances when one of them is supposedly straight. Over the years their relationship deepens and than something tears them apart. Years later one of them receives word that the other is very sick and abandons his life to rush and spend whatever time is left with the other. The movie is funny and sad, really sad. In fact the finale is one of the biggest tearjerkers ever. It's definitely worth a watch.8.5/10

Certainly would not be made today even in its time setting. Dialog and interactions and even subtle thoughts and actions seem very superficial and seems written as a play. This may even work better if done as a silent era mode play with much hand wringing and over acting.and beseeching others. The death scene as played out seemed quick and unrealistic...Was he bitten by a deadly snake or something? My experience with death with my loved ones certainly was a traumatized event that lasted the equivalent of life times, not the pretty vista of a sunrise. Movie of its time with nothing really hard hitting really. Can't offend TOO many people.

Having lived through those times, this movie captured a small part of the Gay Liberation Movement. At heart, it is a mismatched romance that ends early and then finishes with the AIDS epidemic and Reagan's heartless inaction on it. It is a light comedy for the most part. One of the better gay movies on Dekkoo.

I am not a professional film critic nor do I have an understanding of the professional criteria by which to determine a good or bad film. I am not a person who watches films as I perfer books instead. Having said this, I need to say this film touched me and why.I have my own criteria for determining a good or bad film: let me list them. Within the film's context is the story line believable? Do the actors allow the personality of their characters to flow onto the screen? Does the film manage to hold my continuing interest? And lastly, do I wake up the next morning thinking about the film and its characters - does the film take on a life of its own?Using my criteria, I have to answer "yes" to the the above. In fact it is 4:45 AM PST and I am motivated to write this review and to give it four stars.My life span, so far, has covered the general time period of the film and I recognized the historical events and emotions protrayed. Maybe that is why the film took on a significence for me.One last comment: Being a romatic, I like happy endings and this one has a bitter-sweet one. Although I would have perferred a "happily ever after" end, the film was far more effective with the one it has - hence the fifth star. Kudos to those involved.

This is a good film, albeit the wigs were a little cheesy but they made sense considering the time period they were used in. The quality of the film is good and the acting is good also. The film takes a turn which kept me interested until the end.

Loved it! Somewhat predictable if you happen to have lived through that era though. But still, quite funny and cute. Actually any of the predictability plays out in a most enjoyable way. If you are of that era, the film really does bring us right back to wilder and more playful times but also there really did have to be a strong dose of the realities of that time thrown into it as well. Great cast!

This film was funny, heartwarming and heart wrenching and ultimately a story of true love.. The film was layered and full of wisdom while chronicling the gay rights movement through the eyes of two men in a relationship. It was well acted and both leads were charismatic and perfectly cast. I highly recommend.

A wonderful story that could have been told much better with a more seasoned director and a budget commensurate with the calibre of this story not to mention a heavy handed editor.Perhaps the best thing to come out of this film are it's two lead characters. Larry Sullivan (Defying Gravity, Rush Hour) brings forward a powerhouse performance compared to past works. He is able to bring the viewer into the 70s and 80s with a change in acting style, presence and overall appearance. His portrayals of Alan in various stages of life are believeable with facial expressions that, by themselves, are moving.Steve Braun (The Skulls III, Harold & Kumar go to White Castle) brings life to the character Tommy that, after giving much thought to the role, no other actor could have pulled off. This is a missed and overlooked talent that is waiting for the big budget flick discovery that this young man deserves.Jill St. John will make you wretch with her childish portrayal of a "hip" mother. She just doesn't cut it.Sirena Irwin rocks! The saucy ever-changing chickling is the central character by which viewers can date the film as it progresses through time. Having seen disappointing Irwin performances in the past, the voice of Mrs. SquarePants) (SpongeBob), I was prepared for a disappointing performance but I have to give credit where it is due here - Sirena not only pulled off a very good performance, she pulled the film, which would have been lost without her, together. The "ditz" is all act!Kudos to Miles Swain for an all out effort. Watch for good things in the future from this up and comming director.Add this one to your collection!

I thought this was a, brilliant film. I not only related to it, as a gay person, but it brought back, so many memories of the periods, that it was set in. The sad ending, left me a, blubbering mess, the first time l watched it, but; l lived through all that, and l must say; that the ending of this, wonderful film, was done, in a totally unexpected, and, sensitive way. How nice; just to fade away, with one that you love, instead of suffering, as so many people did in a hospital, watching your body, morph, into something awful, often, with large, spots. It wasn't just a film, about that. It was funny as well. So many twists. A brilliant cast. Someone, got it; absolutely, right. It flowed; never boring, and apart from, that incredible ending; the scene with Jill Saint john at the dinner party, was priceless. I have often, wanted to trow things, at a dinner party. Can you tell, l love this film. I love, this film. Thankyou for listening. Regards, Steve.

A really beautiful film. Very sad, but with moments of pure comedy alleviating the sadness. Made in 2002, it's a gay love story set in the 70s and 80s against the background of AIDS and right wing homophobia in the USA. The two leads are excellent: very good acting helped by a very articulate script. Well worth buying. (Excellent next day delivery from Amazon!)

This film spans 11 years of the characters' lives, and undoubtedly has woeful pretensions to being something it just hasn't the intelligence to achieve, a Brokeback Mountain of sorts, for the 70s and 80s (just check out the misleading DVD cover). The idea, a closet conservative `Republican' falling in love with a `Democrat' gay activist, could have resulted in quite an interesting iconic film, but it is far too poorly executed.I have to say I spent most of this film being distracted and irritated by the most horribly unconvincing wigs on the two main characters heads. Disappointingly somewhere under all that horse-hair are two rather good looking actors. No, really! Oh, there they are on the cover of the DVD! But be warned, they are only un-wigged for the latter stages of the film.The characters of Tommy and Alan are cardboard and stereotyped - I found it hard to engage with either of them, let alone care for them. The same goes for every other character in the film, without exception. That's not to criticize the actors, just the vehicle.The plot is shoddily unbelievable and really not worth reviewing. Suffice to say it's crass use of AIDS to reach its denouement was both unsurprising and in the context of this film, unforgivable.With the qualification that I have an almost obsessive aversion to bad wigs in films which has no doubt tainted my opinion of it, this one is definitely not worth investing in.

I found this film to be thoroughly enjoyable and a complete surprise - it's certainly no epic, although the film does span a decade and incorporates real events from the always tumultuous sea of gay history, which does give the film a bigger feel than it would otherwise.I wasn't sure what to expect, but thanks to R Krygsman's review I took a chance and I'm really glad I did. Tommy and Alan make an adorable couple and put in performances that range from good to okay but never far from sweet and endearing. Larry Sullivan, who plays the confused "straight" guy, is nothing short of gorgeous and the "striptease" scene he does has to be one the funniest moments in film I've seen for a while. It's a great scene; being both comical and sexy whilst never losing the inevitable sadness that underlines the moment.A quick synopsis:"Straight" man Alan meets gay activist Tommy and the two become fast friends. The inevitable happens and the two fall in love (which the two pull off convincingly and with no cringe-worthy moments at all). However, on Alan's road to accepting his sexuality they have a falling-out which results in Alan burying himself in his novel, expressing his confusion-fuelled anger in anti-gay ideals. It is only after he has submitted the manuscript that he realises just how much he feels for Tommy . The inevitable happens once again and the two split - when they are re-united they finally take The Trip they've always been meaning to take - Thelma and Louise it isn't, and to be honest, I really think this part of the film should have been given a lot more attention, but it's still enjoyable. The reunion scene could have done with a tad more attention and intimacy, but hey, a film like this is never going to get a major budget and what they've accomplished with the Trip is, I think, the best they could have produced with the time and money they had.Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun are entertaining throughout and pull off their relationship with no clichés or awkward moments, and what's a film about gay relationships without a bit of "Camp" - enter Alexis Arquette in a memorable cameo role. All in all this is a film that will make you laugh and probably cry with its blend of lightweight humour offset poignantly by its darker, tragic side.Definitely worth a look

This is one of my most favourite films, despite the familiar theme of HIV. Not that I wish to decry such an important topic or its impact on the gay community, as I believe any story that tells the tale of this disease and its impact is one worth telling. It's just that this film is so much more than that.I first watched this film as a young man in one of South Africa's first Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered Film Festivals, and remember walking out of the film overwhelmed that love could be so compelling, and so positively portrayed. I had been moved to tears a couple of times, not because of Tommy's (Steve Braun) illness, but rather because of the innocence all encompassing love Alan (Larry Sullivan) had for him. One scene in particular overwhelmed me, and to this day I remember it with profound fondness. Alan in an attempt to make Tommy happy agrees to strip and dance for him whilst parked on a lonely stretch of the highway. That dance was given with all the hope, love and desperation felt by Alan, and so willingly shared by the audience.Ultimately this is a story of regret, and how things could have been so different had three simple words been said. If Alan had said "I am sorry," when given the opportunity, both he and Tommy could have had the life they desired and deserved. Unfortunately their affection and love was temporary, as fate, deception and the ill conceived rantings of a confused and politically immature journalist (Alan), tore apart that which innocence had brought together.During their years of separation both could have made an effort to restore their relationship. However, I firmly believe we underestimate the power of sadness and regret. These can be all consuming powers, which distort the truth and harden hearts. Yet Tommy and Alan did experience, albeit briefly, what many people never do. They loved, lived and experienced each other, only to have the world conspire against them, thus denying them so much more.It never fails to amaze me that politicians, journalists and religious zealots could spend so much time and effort on such a topic, whilst denying that such love, affection and hope exists in a same sex relationship. Their double speak is both condescending, ill conceived and at times void of truth, and yet their power is undoubtedly the very reason for many a hurt and compromised life.Without giving too much away, do yourself a favour and watch this film. If you learn anything, learn to say "I am sorry," it may save you unnecessary heartache, and restore that which deserves being restored.