The Trip to Spain

By Sean Patrick Kelly

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Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon go on their third culinary road trip in The Trip to Spain. Asked once again to write a series of restaurant reviews, Steve and Rob leave for a trip across Spain. For Rob, it's a chance to have a break from his busy family life with his wife Sally (Rebecca Johnson) and two children. Steve meanwhile is trying to build off of his Oscar nomination for Philomena and try to get a new screenplay produced. In addition, Steve is trying to rekindle a previous relationship with the now-married Mischa (Margo Stilley).

Michael Winterbottom returns with his third of a series of culinary road trips, featuring fictionalized versions of comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. By this point, the formula for The Trip series is down pat, as the two sit down for meals at various restaurants and have conversations with each other than often involve a number of celebrity impersonations. In addition to the return of the popular Michael Caine impression, The Trip to Spain features the dual doing Roger Moore, Sean Connery, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger.

Aside from the impressions, which are always quite funny and entertaining, I have to admit that The Trip to Spain probably has the weakest story of the three films. Probably part of this comes from the fact that it is glaringly obvious in many scenes that this film is edited down from a BBC television series, even more so than the previous two. Also, my opinion of the film went down a notch when Steve and Rob go their separate ways in the final act. Since the whole appeal of this series relies on the banter between the two, the film just wasn't the same when you watch them separately. I also have to add that the ending of the film is practically a cliffhanger, which is likely another result of this film starting off as a TV series.

When it is all said and one, The Trip to Spain is ultimately more of the same of the previous two offering. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, the formula does get a little bit tiring after three films. Ultimately, this series is just an excuse for Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon to have fun exchanging impressions with each other. When the film isn't doing that, it is far less interesting and entertaining, and I am not sure if I would be willing to come back for a fourth round.