THE TRIP TO GREECE
****
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Principal cast:
Steve Coogan
Rob Brydon
Claire Keelan
Marta Barrio
Tim Leach
Kareem Alkabbani
Country: UK
Classification: M
Runtime: 103 mins.
Australian release date: On Google Play and other streaming services from 20 May 2020 - Theatrical release from 2 July 2020 - check your local cinema listings.
The Trip to Greece is the fourth and final instalment in the feature film and TV series directed by Michael Winterbottom that commenced with The Trip in 2011. Subsequently, a new film/series followed every three years, with The Trip to Italy in 2014 and The Trip to Spain in 2017. Winterbottom once again takes us on a splendid journey with the competitive, verbose and hilarious duo of Rob Brydon, self-described “light entertainer”, and Steve Coogan, who revels in the fact that he’s “won seven BAFTAs”, a running gag throughout the film.
In a period where the world is in lockdown due to COVID-19 and cinemas have been closed since March, this release is a truly attractive quarantine experience as we wind through the most beautiful locations, dine in fine restaurants and become absorbed in the witty dialogue exchanged by these two masters of self-deprecation and perceptiveness. As fans are well aware, these films’ funniest moments are when the pair mimic famous celebs and, on this occasion, one of the most hilarious is when they ‘do’ Mick Jagger in hospital being visited by Keith Richards. It’s to die for!
The trip commences in Turkey and travels to Greece, as the dynamic duo recreate the journey undertaken by Odysseus as he went from Troy to Ithaca. They visit Athens and the port of Piraeus, the temples of Delphi (home to the most famous rock in the world, known as the Earth’s ‘navel’, which they compare to another intimate part of the female anatomy), the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, Stagira (the birthplace of Aristotle or, as they call him, ‘arry Stottel), the caves of Diros and other famous sites of antiquity. Ferry rides and small boats transport the men to the islands of Hydra, where they dine in the village once inhabited by Leonard Cohen, and Lesbos, which generates some very funny banter on lesbianism. On a more sombre note, they also visit a refugee camp while there. Indeed, in the midst of all the mirth, quite a few sober stories and comments on age and mortality appear. Brydon and Coogan are now in their mid-fifties, so it’s not surprising that the script adopts a more mature tone in parts. Indeed, one of the narrative threads the film follows involves Coogan’s ailing and aging father (Richard Clews), back in Manchester. You’re left in no doubt that The Trip to Greece will be the last of the series - it’s clear that these guys are hanging up their walking boots.
Interestingly, there is no credit for screenwriter listed, but one can’t help but think that Michael Winterbottom plots the major dramatic points and leaves large chunks of the script with gaps saying, “Here Rob and Steve are free to do their thing.” Certainly, there seems to be a lot of improv going on and it’s not unusual to see one or other of the guys fall apart laughing on hearing the other’s banter. At the same time, it’s a finely crafted drama and, it has to be said, a terrific example of the editor’s art. The camerawork is stunning, too, though regrettably there’s not as much emphasis on the mouth-watering food as there has been in the preceding ‘Trips.’
If you are planning your next holiday, or sitting in ‘iso’ reminiscing about your previous ones, then The Trip to Greece is a truly engaging 103 minutes. You’ll want to hop on a plane as soon as you can after viewing this travelogue. It is also a welcome opportunity to be included in conversations that are loaded with wit and humour and astute observations about friendship, even if under extreme circumstances at times. You have to force yourself to remember that it’s all tongue-in-cheek. After all, these two wonderful characters are just that - ‘characters.’ They are not exactly Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. They just push the barriers of reality and spare no-one, especially not themselves.
Principal cast:
Steve Coogan
Rob Brydon
Claire Keelan
Marta Barrio
Tim Leach
Kareem Alkabbani
Country: UK
Classification: M
Runtime: 103 mins.
Australian release date: On Google Play and other streaming services from 20 May 2020 - Theatrical release from 2 July 2020 - check your local cinema listings.
The Trip to Greece is the fourth and final instalment in the feature film and TV series directed by Michael Winterbottom that commenced with The Trip in 2011. Subsequently, a new film/series followed every three years, with The Trip to Italy in 2014 and The Trip to Spain in 2017. Winterbottom once again takes us on a splendid journey with the competitive, verbose and hilarious duo of Rob Brydon, self-described “light entertainer”, and Steve Coogan, who revels in the fact that he’s “won seven BAFTAs”, a running gag throughout the film.
In a period where the world is in lockdown due to COVID-19 and cinemas have been closed since March, this release is a truly attractive quarantine experience as we wind through the most beautiful locations, dine in fine restaurants and become absorbed in the witty dialogue exchanged by these two masters of self-deprecation and perceptiveness. As fans are well aware, these films’ funniest moments are when the pair mimic famous celebs and, on this occasion, one of the most hilarious is when they ‘do’ Mick Jagger in hospital being visited by Keith Richards. It’s to die for!
The trip commences in Turkey and travels to Greece, as the dynamic duo recreate the journey undertaken by Odysseus as he went from Troy to Ithaca. They visit Athens and the port of Piraeus, the temples of Delphi (home to the most famous rock in the world, known as the Earth’s ‘navel’, which they compare to another intimate part of the female anatomy), the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, Stagira (the birthplace of Aristotle or, as they call him, ‘arry Stottel), the caves of Diros and other famous sites of antiquity. Ferry rides and small boats transport the men to the islands of Hydra, where they dine in the village once inhabited by Leonard Cohen, and Lesbos, which generates some very funny banter on lesbianism. On a more sombre note, they also visit a refugee camp while there. Indeed, in the midst of all the mirth, quite a few sober stories and comments on age and mortality appear. Brydon and Coogan are now in their mid-fifties, so it’s not surprising that the script adopts a more mature tone in parts. Indeed, one of the narrative threads the film follows involves Coogan’s ailing and aging father (Richard Clews), back in Manchester. You’re left in no doubt that The Trip to Greece will be the last of the series - it’s clear that these guys are hanging up their walking boots.
Interestingly, there is no credit for screenwriter listed, but one can’t help but think that Michael Winterbottom plots the major dramatic points and leaves large chunks of the script with gaps saying, “Here Rob and Steve are free to do their thing.” Certainly, there seems to be a lot of improv going on and it’s not unusual to see one or other of the guys fall apart laughing on hearing the other’s banter. At the same time, it’s a finely crafted drama and, it has to be said, a terrific example of the editor’s art. The camerawork is stunning, too, though regrettably there’s not as much emphasis on the mouth-watering food as there has been in the preceding ‘Trips.’
If you are planning your next holiday, or sitting in ‘iso’ reminiscing about your previous ones, then The Trip to Greece is a truly engaging 103 minutes. You’ll want to hop on a plane as soon as you can after viewing this travelogue. It is also a welcome opportunity to be included in conversations that are loaded with wit and humour and astute observations about friendship, even if under extreme circumstances at times. You have to force yourself to remember that it’s all tongue-in-cheek. After all, these two wonderful characters are just that - ‘characters.’ They are not exactly Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. They just push the barriers of reality and spare no-one, especially not themselves.
