- Actors: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon
- Director: Michael Winterbottom
- Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
- Number of discs: 1
- Rated: Not RatedNR
- Studio: IFC Independent Film
- Release Date: August 25, 2020
- Run Time: 104 minutes
In a scene near the end of The Trip to
Greece, Rob Brydon remarks that it has been ten years since the first trip
he took with friend and adversary, Steve Coogan. This is surprising to Coogan, as
it may also be to audience members that have been following their journeys to
beautiful scenery and expensive meals. The breezy irreverence often seems to
main selling point of the series, which sets the dramatic character development
behind overlong scenes of competing celebrity impressions and two men never
afraid to talk with their mouths full, if it means they get to hog the
spotlight. That this is the supposed last installment in the franchise doesn’t bring
with it the promise of any grand revelations or resolutions, but simply another
serving of the same.
With six days to trace the journey of Odysseus
from Troy to Ithaca, Brydon and Coogan take their usual stops at
historic/tourist locations, and Greece provides plenty of them. When they aren’t
having competitive conversation or proving their individual worth as comedians
over exorbitant meals, they do the same in front of recognizable Greek
landmarks, such as the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the Ancient Theater or
Epidaurus (where they have a signature costumed photo shoot), the Caves of
Diros, and Ancient Stagira, among many others. There are just as many restaurants
visited, though none of the names of which I am familiar.
The restaurants,
and subsequent food, are always of the high dining variety. This often means
food porn cinematographic shots of the food being prepared, as well as
presented to the celebrities, who are always willing to take at least a moment
away from constantly boasting to give the appropriate praise with presentation and
first taste. The schtick is more familiar after four films, but hasn’t completely
lost its charm, even if it often feels as though the series has worked
increasingly hard to put other people at the table with the two combative
friends. Perhaps they are looking for an excuse for the men to compete, or just
some variety, though they usually serve as little more than silent audience to
the Brydon and Coogan show.
Director Michael
Winterbottom has led the charge for each film in this highly improvised series,
and often seems to model them after a more irreverent approach to Richard Linklater’s
Before Sunrise series. Though it is the lighthearted nature of the comedic
banter than distinguishes these films, they also carry a somber undertone,
especially as we see these men grow older but no less restless. Even in Coogan’s
recent critical success (which is makes mention of several times throughout the
film), he is still facing numerous obstacles, in his career and his personal
life. If life is a little easier on Brydon, that’s because it always seems to
be in these films. Perhaps it no different, but he hides it behind a goofy
demeanor, while Coogan gladly wears his contempt on his sleeve.
Enjoyment of the
past films is reason enough to see The Trip to Greece, though not necessarily
for any need to witness resolution to any narrative. The film franchise has
always been slice-of-life in nature, and continues that to a slightly ambiguous
end, though not one nearly as random or tongue-in-cheek as The Trip to Spain.
It is an all-around enjoyable trip, even if it ultimately blends in with all of
the others. Perhaps it would have been helpful to distinguish if so many of
them hadn’t been to seaside tourist hotspots.
The Blu-ray
gives more detail and range to the visual appeal of the scenery and meals, but
the disc itself provides no special features.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 5/10
Special Features: 0/10
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