Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon reunite for another banter-fueled foodie jaunt
Back in 2010, British comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon took a trip as part of a BBC series that was later recut into a feature for U.S. release. It combined their comedy, talent for impressions, and views on celebrity and culture with a slightly skewed take on their own personal lives. Not to mention a look at the food and locales of the British isles. A followup was inevitable, with The Trip to Italy in 2014 delivering more of the same, just in a different locale. The pair now seem to be a regular fixture in the cinematic calendar, with their latest, The Trip to Spain, continuing their adventures and delivering one of the most refreshing and entertaining comedies of the year.
Synopsis
After jaunts through northern England and Italy, Academy Award®-nominee* Steve Coogan (Philomena) and Rob Brydon (Cinderella) embark on another deliciously deadpan culinary road trip. This time around, the guys head to Spain to sample the best of the country’s gastronomic offerings in between rounds of their hilariously off-the-cuff banter. Over plates of pintxos and paella, the pair exchange barbs and their patented celebrity impressions, as well as more serious reflections on what it means to settle into middle age. As always, the locales are breathtaking, the cuisine to die for, and the humor delightfully devilish.
Coogan, well known back in Blighty for his standup as well as immortal creation Alan Partridge (Ah-ha), is better known here for popping up in the Night at the Museum series, Hamlet 2, and Tropic Thunder. Brydon is the less notable of the two on these shores, his beloved show Gavin & Stacey not getting much attention, but perhaps he’s familiar to a U.S. audience from Cinderella or The Huntsman: Winter’s War.
The former brings an acerbic, deadpan tone; Brydon a more affable and optimistic one. It’s a classic pairing of types, playing off each other beautifully. Comedy is drawn from their differing opinions, observational humor, and one-upping each other with impressions. Interwoven through their jaunt is the continued ‘fictional’ drama of their lives — continuing problems with their personal (marriage, children) and professional lives (new agents and issues with projects). It’s not really a “foodie” endeavor; dishes are presented, but really they’re just part of the stage for them to work off, a way to initiate banter. Likewise, the travel component (showcasing stunning Spanish locales) allows them to weave in personal strife, much of it fabricated, but you’d imagine plenty of it is rooted in truth. Basically, it’s more of the same, but with such a sparkling rapport between these men and such sharp comedy, it’s a very good thing indeed.
The Package
As the title hints, the film showcases some beautiful landscapes and cities across Spain, as well as restaurants and other captivating sights. Image quality is very good, detail is high; colors pop, showing off the best Spain has to offer.
Special features are sadly lacking, with only a trailer for the film and another for a number of other Shout! Factory releases. It’s the sort of film where you’d imagine a audio commentary from the director would do much to enhance appreciation, adding detail on scripting, improv, as well as the use of the various locations.
The Bottom Line
Despite the lack of any extra features, The Trip to Spain comes highly recommended. It’s undoubtedly one of the funniest films of the year, and Coogan/Brydon reaffirm what a wonderful pairing they are. I’m eager to see where they take a trip to next.
The Trip to Spain is available on Blu-ray via Shout! Factory from December 12th.