The Trip to Italy

Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, and director Michael Winterbottom return to well-traveled territory in The Trip to Italy, the second movie version of their BBC television series about two comedians (slightly fictionalized versions of Coogan and Brydon) who go on a restaurant tour. In 2010’s The Trip (the feature film made from the first series), the two modestly famous middle-aged men toured northern England, eating delicious meals, sampling the sights, and exchanging whimsical banter and Michael Caine impressions. This time, the scenery is even more splendid and, since they knew the six episodes would be edited into a movie this time out, there’s more of an emotional through line underscoring the adventure. This picture is as much about growing old and looking back as it is about travel, food, and celebrity imitations. Unfortunately, these melancholy themes are as underdeveloped as some of the impressions. While both men can do a spot-on Michael Caine, many of their other impersonations are neither good nor funny. And the picture lacks the originality of the first trip--it feels like just more of the same. Maybe these movies would be less tedious if they were drop-dead gorgeous visually.  But Winterbottom shoots every scene in the most rudimentary fashion, rapidly cutting back and forth between three of four angles of banal coverage in a most unfittingly choppy style. The guys are supposed to be enjoying leisurely meals on a relaxing vacation, so why is the film cut like a bad music video? A travelogue film needs to be visually stunning, but The Trip to Italy looks like a cheaply photographed TV show--which is, of course, what it is. I say, skip these movies and, if you like these guys (which I do), download the original versions of the series on your portable device.