The Trip (2002)

Romance, politics, sex and humor all collide during two men's 11-year journey of passion, self-discovery and adventure.

Director:

Miles Swain

Writer:

Miles Swain

Stars:

Larry Sullivan, Steve Braun, Ray Baker

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Self
Alfred Dennis	...	George Baxter

Storyline

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. Despite their many differences, they form a loving long-term relationship. In 1977, during Anita Bryant's crusade, an anti-gay book Alan wrote years before gets published without his consent. The book destroys Tommy's credibility as a well-known activist, resulting in Tommy and Alan's break-up. Seven years later, Alan is given a second chance, a reunion with Tommy and the opportunity to set things right.

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Plot Keywords:

male underwear | pornographic magazine | male male kiss | male rear nudity | adult magazine | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug use

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Tommy Ballenger: What part of fuck off, drop dead, go to Hell, you're not getting a Christmas card did you not understand, hmm?

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Connections

References Kojak (1973)

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Soundtracks

Cover Me
Written by Bruce Springsteen
Published by Springsteen Music
Performed by Bruce Springsteen
Courtesy of Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Touching and Funny and not full of stereotypes

I have no doubt that this film would not have been shown at my local cinema which is why I have only just seen it. This is a shame because I thought that this was a very good film.

It is both a very touching film and also a very funny film with some very sensitive acting from Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun who receive some very good support, most notably from Sirena Irwin and Jill St John, but also from Alexis Arquette, Ray Baker and Dennis Bailey.

It was also both interesting and a very elucidating idea to show the various stages of the life of their relationship against a backdrop of the (gay) politics of the time.

I think that it was a shame that I missed it but a much bigger shame that my local cinema would not have run this type of film as it was of a much higher caliber than some of the pulp that they do show (and I don't refer here to the type or genre of the film but to the acting and production values).

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Viagem

Filming Locations:

Antelope Valley, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,774, 11 May 2003

Gross USA:

$306,567

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$306,567

Company Credits

Production Co:

Falcon Lair Films, Queens Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1