The third installment of director Michael Winterbottom's improvisational Trip series—with comics Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon playing their semi-fictionalized selves traveling to different locales—is as humorous as the previous two (set in Northern England and Italy), but is also much darker. Like the earlier films, The Trip to Spain is a shortened version of a longer TV series, beginning with a few establishing scenes in England and aboard a ferry before the central duo reach Spain, where they drive across amazingly beautiful terrain, stay at gorgeous hotels, and eat succulent food at every stop. They also bicker endlessly, continually trying to outdo one another in shows of wit while blithely serving up commentary on Spanish history and contemporary politics, with the latter ultimately bringing one of the men face to face with modern reality (a jaw-dropping moment). Melancholy undertones run throughout centering on aging and self-doubt, but despite that serious strain, the film remains a visually intoxicating travelogue that also offers a savory introduction to upscale Spanish cuisine, as well as another helping of delicious joint comedic routines by two masters of the craft. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
The Trip to Spain
Shout! Factory, 108 min., not rated, DVD: $14.99, Blu-ray: $24.99, Dec. 12 Volume 33, Issue 1
The Trip to Spain
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