What is more exciting than a film focusing on food, family, and fun? The sequel to a film just like that. The U.S. debut of the British movie, The Trip to Italy, now in theaters, was also part of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. It is a follow-up to The Trip, which premiered back in 2010 and centered on two best friends traveling through northern England as they sampled food from some of the finest restaurants.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom, The Trip to Italy reunites British comedians and actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. The two are back at it again touring Italy this time while reflecting on topics such as the amazing food they are enjoying and the everyday problems they are facing in life.
Perhaps one of the best elements of this film is the fact that Coogan and Brydon mesh wonderfully together and their comedic banter is a pleasure to watch. Although in both films the comedians played a somewhat fictionalized version of themselves, there is a lot of truth behind what is depicted. The issues they discuss with each other are subjects they each find interesting whether they are serious or funny. The chemistry between Coogan and Brydon is not the only thing that audiences will find pleasing. The setting is truly picturesque.
Winterbottom takes audiences to places in northern and central Italy. The restaurants include: Trattoria Della Posta, Monforte D’Alba in the region of Piemonte; Ristorante La Cantina, San Fruttuoso in the Liguria region; Trattoria Albana, Mazzolla in Tuscany; Ristorante Oliver Glowig in Rome and Relais Blu, Massa Lubrense in Campania.
A trip to Italy may seem like the time to simply relax and eat good food but for Coogan and Brydon, it is also the time to reflect on where they are going in life. Steve wants to spend more time with his family in Europe because work in L.A. has been consuming him while Rob seeks excitement to break from the pressure he feels from being a full-time father.
Their Italian journey helps them discover more about themselves than they thought as they wine and dine while staying in hotels in Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, and Campania. The film contains insightful content that can relate to audiences across the globe. There are also witty jokes that viewers will find poignant and humorous. The film concludes without resolution because Steve is still looking for a way to have more family time and Rob is presented with a job offer that would make him move away from America.
The Trip to Italy shows that it is not just what we enjoy in life that is important, but how we actually enjoy it. The film will make you laugh but will also make you examine the significance of the little things and how we sometimes overlook what we should cherish. If you’d like to visit Italy, and you have a big appetite, then go see this movie because you are sure to love the adventure you’ll take with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.
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