The Trip (2002/I)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Miles Swain

Writer:

Miles Swain (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The things we do for love and things we should have done, all come together on The Trip.

Plot:

When 19-year-old gay-rights activist Tommy and 24-year-old Alan first meet in 1973, they find themselves on the opposite sides of the political coin...

Plot Keywords:

Reference To Judy Garland | First Gay Sexual Experience | Closeted Homosexual | Mexico | Drugs

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Larry Sullivan	...	Alan Oakley
Steve Braun	...	Tommy Ballenger
Ray Baker	...	Peter Baxter
James Handy	...	Hal
Faith Salie	...	Ignored Woman
Dennis Bailey	...	Larry Jenkins
Alexis Arquette	...	Michael
Sirena Irwin	...	Beverly
Zoe 'Joshua Tree' Logan	...	1973 Jogger
Jill St. John	...	Mary Oakley
Art Hindle	...	Ted Oakley
Christina Hempstead	...	TV Reporter (as Christina Cameron Mitchell)
Julie Brown	...	OutLoud Receptionist
David Mixner	...	Himself
Alfred Dennis	...	George Baxter

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Antelope Valley, California, USA

Company:

Falcon Lair Films

Trivia:

Falcon Lair Estate served as the setting for much of the film. This historic site once was home to Rudolph Valentino, Doris Duke, Gloria Swanson.

Goofs:

Continuity: Alan's dirt-stained jogging pants get cleaner between shots.

Quotes:

Ted Oakley: So how do the two of you know each other?
Alan Oakley: Umm...the young republicans club.
Tommy Ballenger: Ya, I just love Dick.
Alan Oakley: [proceeds to spray his coffee over the kitchen table, recovers] Ah! Too much sugar!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 2005 Glitter Awards (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Jump (For My Love)

Incredibly entertaining jewel of a film about matters of theheart

The only reason that I rate this film a ten is because the rating scale on IMDB doesn't reach 227. The Trip isn't just a film - it's an extraordinary, a true gem about everything that matters in life - people, relationships, pride in one's self, matters of the heart and soul. The film shows what can be achieved when millions aren't poured into special effects and high-priced superficial "talent". I saw The Trip on the last day of the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2002. The timing was truly fitting, because it was a fantastic grand finale to a festival which included many other fine films. The Trip, however, was by far, the best of the festival and, in my opinion, walked away with the award for Best of Everything in all Categories. The film follows the relationship between two men starting from 1973 continuing into the 80's, giving an opportunity for many political and social commentaries having to do with the times, including Anita Bryant and Ronald Reagan, and gay rights. There was also much opportunity to fill the film with with many truly hysterical fashions and one-liners inspired by those times. These qualities make The Trip a wonderfully balanced film with both genuinely funny moments along with many warm, heart-teasing scenes too, particularly because the characters are so constantly involving, as is the superbly written storyline. The cast is outstanding, to say the very least. Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun are excellent, both simply amazing as the lead characters, Alan and Tommy. Steve Braun is so charming as Tommy, and Larry Sullivan easily steals everyone's hearts - including mine - as Alan - he's truly wonderful. To portray a Republican with as much heart and vulnerability as Alan displays is no small accomplishment, and Larry Sullivan does this with commanding skill. Sirena Irwin and Alexis Arquette are terrific in supporting roles, but it is Jill St. John who steals every scene she enters as Alan's mother, reminding us that she should be seen More, More, More! It's rare that a director displays such talent and skill in a film while, at the same time and in equal parts, shows such joy and love for his craft. Only a truly talented director could accomplish this, making his hard work appear so effortless, resulting in the most fun an audience has had in years. Please see The Trip if you have the opportunity - don't let it pass you by. And to any distributors that may read this - please take notice of this movie. Please help this truly wonderful film to be seen by everyone as it should be.