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 park jogging scene set in 1977 Beverly is running in spandex and leggings. Leggings were not popularized and mainstreamed until Flash Dance created the trend in the early 1980s.

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Quotes

Tommy Ballenger: Did you take the little bus to school?

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Connections

References Dynasty (1981)

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Soundtracks

Jump (For My Love)
Written by Marti Sharron (as M. Sharron), Gary Skardina (as G. Skardina), Stephen Mitchell (as S. Mitchell)
Published by Welbeck Music Corp/Sony
Performed by The Pointer Sisters
Courtesy of RCA/BMG

User Reviews

Above Average Indie

Considering the tremendous challenges which face today's independent film company, it's always encouraging when one comes along that manages to make a some sort of statement. "The Trip" offers two attractive leads (Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun) and supports, along with some nice scenery and photography.

While the actual road trip doesn't occur until well over half of the film's running time, the title may also suggest the lengthy relationship of the two leads.

Even so, there's something which seems slightly off-balance in the way of formal structure and focus to the proceedings. So much action takes place--even by years --before the actual road trip begins, that its theme becomes a bit vague.

One part of the difficulty may be the lack of close perspectives of the two leads to set them apart from all the other action. We're kept at such a distance that it's hard to really get into their relationship and fathom it as a true focal point of this comedy-drama. In a way it reminds me of another "road" film, "Y Tu Mama Tambien," and the black comedy, "In the Company of Men," in which the camera likewise remains at a distance.

Still, there are engaging moments in "The Trip," allowing one to feel for the leading pair by the end. Writer-director Mike Swain obviously gave it good effort on limited budget and succeeded in making a statement that apparently touched some people.

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