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:

The script was originally written as a short about an urban legend of two guys in Mexico trying to get across the border. Miles Swain went back and wrote out their backstory in script format to figure out who these characters were, and ended up with an entire screenplay.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the "1977" segment, the beer can has a modern-day pop-top.

Quotes:

Tommy Ballenger: [to a reporter] I'd like to make a deal with the Anita Bryant people. You stop telling lies about us and we'll stop telling the truth about you.

Movie Connections:

References "Kojak" (1973)

Soundtrack:

Ain't Nobody Straight in L.A.

Standout writing and acting make "The Trip" worthwhile

"The Trip" is one of the best romances I've ever seen. After a seemingly endless barrage of horrible gay films, I was actually taken aback by how good this film turned out to be. The story features well written, witty, and humorous dialog that moves the plot line believably through the years that the story encompasses. The performances are uniformly good, but Larry Sullivan is a real stand out as Alan Oakley. His performance lends credibility to the character he is portraying as he grows through landmarks of history (gay historical landmarks in particular). After purchasing this film on DVD, I did an Internet search and was disappointed that this gifted actor has not done more films. Wake up Hollywood! Sullivan is pleasing to look at, talented, and has a certain magnetism that draws the viewer into the story. The enormity of his appeal is hard to describe, but I have no doubt that the right vehicle would make him into a major star. Other stand outs in the film are Steve Braun (who reminds me a lot of a young Brad Pitt) who does an excellent job as Alan's gay activist lover, and Sirena Irwin as Beverly (a woman just slightly ahead of her time). Veteran actors Ray Baker and Jill St. John give substantial supporting performances, and Julie Brown gives a memorable quirky cameo performance as an 80's Madonna attired receptionist. Alexis Arquette plays "Michael" a slightly stereotypical funny slut (a year working as a bartender in a gay bar taught me that there are many people who are this "over the top" in real life). Overall, I recommend this film not as an excellent "gay" film, but as an excellent film in general.