Rating: 
Summary: The Trip.
Review: This commingling movie about tragic love story, off-beat gay cliché comedy and melancholy music box is a surprisingly good. Judging from the production company and its director, you are not to blame to have any prejudice to discard it as another straight-to-video gay movie. However, all things considered, this movie sincerely delivers what it promises: a love story throughout the troubled time of gay community. Set in 1970s, the movie starts with a guy named Alan (Larry Sullivan, the famous face of numerous TV commercial and fashion catalogues) who is somewhat confused about his sexuality. Interested in discovering gay life style and publishing a book, Alan meets Steve(Tommy Ballenger) through a gay party. Although Alan is gay republican in closet and Steve is wide-open gay democrat, they build their strong relationship through mutual respect and love. However, with the culmination of heated social conflicts over gay movements, and with the jealousy of wealthy gay man, Peter(Played by Ray Baker, What Lies Beneath's Stan), Steve founds out Alan is the one who wrote currently best selling book that denounces gay life style as nothing but insanity. Although Alan tries to explain the book was written very long time ago and not supposed to be printed, Steve leaves after tear-jerking moments and Alan goes into the welcoming arm of cunning Peter. Years passed with sadness, agony and frustration of unfulfilled love, Alan finally meets Steve in Mexican desert where he was slowly dying. From there, they start their long over-due journey from Mexico to Texas. The unsettling atmosphere of Mexican desert and the glass-like frailty that Steve carries with, we lament over the lost time with hate and misunderstanding, and shamelessly hope for better to happen. This movie's most significant selling point should be the chemistry between two promising actors, Larry Sullivan and Tommy Ballenger. Sullivan's natural good looking appearance with eagerness to demonstrate his potential as serious actor really shines as Alan who's strong, determined and intelligent but also as vulnerable and sensitive as smooth boy-next door. The love between Sullivan and Ballenger portrayed with their sincere and passionate performance will give you shivering vicarious experience you will rarely find now days. In addition, their journey through 70s and 80s also bring some memorable and refreshing look back at the gay right movements. The director's effective usage of TV documentary and montage from these decades is top-notch to add reality to this movie. For some young gay people who's born after 1980s, this movie will show you some interesting history lesson and education on gay movements and ordeal the proceeding gay generation went through. That alone is worth seeing this movie. Some shortcomings you will find are, poor sound editing, somewhat distracting supporting actors' performance and some gay stereotype clichés. The director uses various type of music, mostly 70's reminiscent pop and rock collection to help creating the 70s and 80s feel to the movie. However, in some scene, the music overshadow some scenes. In a way, loud and not-so-well blended music became dominantly distracting the ears. Distracting as much as the music was the supporting actors. In some scenes, where conflicts arises between main characters, these supporting actors' role just dilute the tension and seriousness of the scene. Intended for off-beat and flaky humor sense, their scenes come nothing but cheap imitation of previous numerous gay cliché movies and TV shows.
Rating:
Summary: A Trip Worth Taking
Review: "The Trip", the feature debut by writer/director Miles Swain, is one of the best gay themed films I've seen in the past year. Although it does have it's shortcomings with some uneven acting and may try to tackle a bit too many plotlines, "The Trip" overall is a fun filled journey you don't want to miss that's both touching and heartfelt. The story spans 11 years beginning in 1973 as Alan Oakley (Larry Sullivan), a young, straight, Republican newspaper reporter is working on a book about homosexuality called The Straight Truth. At a party of a friends, an older lawyer named Peter, Alan meets Tommy Ballenger(Steve Braun), an outspoken gay activist from Texas. Tommy is played by Steve Braun who gives an energetic performance to his role as does Larry Sullivan and both have a great chemistry between them. The two instantly hit if off and when Tommy is asked over to dinner by Alan, he thinks he's found his true love. Much to Tommy's surprise when he arrives he's greeted by Alan's girlfriend Beverly (Sireana Irwin), who although being a dizzy blonde can see the attraction between the two. Without giving too much away Alan and Tommy do become a couple but not without some ups and downs. The film traces their friendship through the years with some nice montages of gay history interspersed throughout with the likes of Anita Bryant's anti-gay crusade, gay activism, and the aids crisis. Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack that also reflects the times and is put to good use featuring disco, new wave and various hits from the 70's and 80's, like America's "Horse With No Name" and Missing Persons "Destination Unknown", a surprisingly nice touch. Supporting roles include a really funny Alexis Arquette, as the campy friend Michael, Jill St. John as Alan's "queer friendly" mother and a small cameo by original MTV veteran, comedian, Julie Brown. The movie's finale brings Alan and Tommy together again ala "Thelma and Louise" and takes them on a trip together, spiritually and emotionally, hence the title. Some of the scenes are a bit campy and over-the-top, the dinner party fiasco, and some a bit outlandish, gas station stickup, but for the most part it's a nice love story/friendship that spans a turbulent time and is a nice homage to gay history. "The Trip" is an enjoyable ride!
Rating:
Summary: Sweet, Endearing, and Funny
Review: The Trip is about a closeted-republican, played by Larry Sullivan, who finds his true love in a democratic activist. The movie starts off chronicling their love and lives together, and it's sweet, endearing, and oftentimes funny. It's when their lives are absolutely perfect together that some catastrophic happens and drives them apart after years of being together. They are re-united many years later for a life changing trip. This movie is very sweet and very good. You can't help but smile and feel happy when their relationship is at its best. It's only toward the end, when the movie becomes serious, that it trips up. The seriousness does work but becomes underminded with the final scene when a young teenager comments, "it's the greatest love story." It's not the greatest love story, but it's a good one. The chemistry between the leads is fantastic, and Larry Sullivan is very cute and funny in the role. It seemed to have been made specifically for him. The Trip is definitely a movie to see.
Rating: 
Summary: Best gay theme film ever!!!!!!
Review: The Trip is a romantic comedy that manages to show love at its best and worst, deepest and shallowest, most joyous and most tragic.
It's an hour and a half in the dark after which you won't lament the price of admission. In this era of TV-show adaptations and There's Something About Mary rip-off's, this renders it just shy of a gem. The triumphs and tragedies of love, not to mention a host of uncomfortable social situations, transcend the era of the film and create scenarios with which most gay men can relate. At the start of this winning indie drama set in '73, budding journalist Alan Oakley (Larry Sullivan) is still clinging to his
het-Republican identity by penning The Straight Truth, an indictment of homosexuality--although Tommy Ballenger (Steve Braun) eventually helps him realize the folly of such denial. First-time writer-director Miles Swain demonstrates a keen sensitivity to the subtleties of developing relationships, and his pacing is lively.
Sirena Irwin is hilarious as Alan's hippie chick lover turned power yuppie entrepreneur. MTV alumnus Julie Brown turns in a totally gnarly cameo as a receptionist with a flare for eighties style. But former Bond girl Jill St. John steals the show in her supporting role as Alan's meddlesome, liberal, and alcoholic mom. The Trip is the beautifully written and directed debut film by Miles Swain. Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun are very convincing as the young couple with some hysterical and some very touching scenes. This movie will make you laugh and cry and think as well, which is the very best any movie can offer. The highlight for me was Alan's very understanding and liberated mother Mary, reminiscent of Edina Monsoon without the drug usage and Patsy. Mary is played by Jill St John. She looks absolutely fantastic and it was clear she loved the role. Every scene she is in makes you warm to her character more and more. All of the characters are believable and likeable.
The film features classic tunes such as Missing Person's "Destination Unknown" and Bruce Springsteen's "Cover Me." The Trip played gay and lesbian film festivals throughout
the United States, to packed houses due in no small part to the universal appeal of the central love story, based on the conceit: "What if this was your first love? You messed up your relationship and here was your chance for redemption." With an overall message to: Be you, Be yourself. If you get the chance to see The Trip, do it!!!! It's well worth the journey!
Rating:
Summary: I love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Please pardon my grammer. This movie is now my all time favorite movie of all times. There are a lot of gay movies that only consist of two things: sex and clubbing. This movie is all about LOVE and ROMANCE. Finally!!!!!!! A gay movie for gay romantic guys like myself, that capture true love, affection and romance. Don't be surprised if you cry to this movie. I have at least watched this movie 50 times since i bought it a week ago. This movie is simply the best.
Rating:
Summary: Bad, but Good
Review: One thing I think that doesn't work about this movie is that it doesn't seem to stay consistant. It is a type of mish-mash, starting out as wacky comedy and trying to end in a serious vein. I did enjoy the movie a lot, though, once I realized it would not settle for one category. The feel of the film really should be wacky comedy that does not take itself entirely seriously, partly due to the budget and partly due to the over-the-top characterization of the supporting roles. The time periods in the film are not entirely consistant with what was actually happening at the time (events that happened in the early 90's are shown in the mid-80's, the vernacular of the modern day is used to make jokes in the 70's time period) which adds to the feel of screwball comedy. This film doesn't push one to think deeply about issues and in that respect it is a perfect film for after a hard day of work or a lazy day where you don't want to have to think to watch. Also, keep in mind that the script originally started out as a short film. Miles Swain (director, writer) then went backwards and created the backstory for the characters as a comedy. This is why the feel of the film changes when the actual road trip occurs. Swain also allowed his actors to improv many sections of the film after filming them sticking to the script. These improvs were then edited into the film, adding to the comedy and fun. For the last twenty minutes of the film, where the script is followed more closely, things do feel a little tense and odd and are not as enjoyable to watch. It would have been nice if Swain had found a way to hold that loose comfortable feel for the entire film while still being able to tell the story he intended to. Overall, this film is rather enjoyable. The two stars are fine actors, though some of the support cast is just bad. And as for another viewer's comment about there not being enough material to hold a gay audience, I personally feel that there needs to be more films like this in gay cinema (not quality wise or acting wise cause that wasn't the best here), at least in terms of just being a sweet and nice story that doesn't revolve around nudity or sex.
Rating:
Summary: The Trip.
Review: This commingling movie about tragic love story, off-beat gay cliché comedy and melancholy music box is a surprisingly good. Judging from the production company and its director, you are not to blame to have any prejudice to discard it as another straight-to-video gay movie. However, all things considered, this movie sincerely delivers what it promises: a love story throughout the troubled time of gay community. Set in 1970s, the movie starts with a guy named Alan (Larry Sullivan, the famous face of numerous TV commercial and fashion catalogues) who is somewhat confused about his sexuality. Interested in discovering gay life style and publishing a book, Alan meets Steve(Tommy Ballenger) through a gay party. Although Alan is gay republican in closet and Steve is wide-open gay democrat, they build their strong relationship through mutual respect and love. However, with the culmination of heated social conflicts over gay movements, and with the jealousy of wealthy gay man, Peter(Played by Ray Baker, What Lies Beneath's Stan), Steve founds out Alan is the one who wrote currently best selling book that denounces gay life style as nothing but insanity. Although Alan tries to explain the book was written very long time ago and not supposed to be printed, Steve leaves after tear-jerking moments and Alan goes into the welcoming arm of cunning Peter. Years passed with sadness, agony and frustration of unfulfilled love, Alan finally meets Steve in Mexican desert where he was slowly dying. From there, they start their long over-due journey from Mexico to Texas. The unsettling atmosphere of Mexican desert and the glass-like frailty that Steve carries with, we lament over the lost time with hate and misunderstanding, and shamelessly hope for better to happen. This movie's most significant selling point should be the chemistry between two promising actors, Larry Sullivan and Tommy Ballenger. Sullivan's natural good looking appearance with eagerness to demonstrate his potential as serious actor really shines as Alan who's strong, determined and intelligent but also as vulnerable and sensitive as smooth boy-next door. The love between Sullivan and Ballenger portrayed with their sincere and passionate performance will give you shivering vicarious experience you will rarely find now days. In addition, their journey through 70s and 80s also bring some memorable and refreshing look back at the gay right movements. The director's effective usage of TV documentary and montage from these decades is top-notch to add reality to this movie. For some young gay people who's born after 1980s, this movie will show you some interesting history lesson and education on gay movements and ordeal the proceeding gay generation went through. That alone is worth seeing this movie. Some shortcomings you will find are, poor sound editing, somewhat distracting supporting actors' performance and some gay stereotype clichés. The director uses various type of music, mostly 70's reminiscent pop and rock collection to help creating the 70s and 80s feel to the movie. However, in some scene, the music overshadow some scenes. In a way, loud and not-so-well blended music became dominantly distracting the ears. Distracting as much as the music was the supporting actors. In some scenes, where conflicts arises between main characters, these supporting actors' role just dilute the tension and seriousness of the scene. Intended for off-beat and flaky humor sense, their scenes come nothing but cheap imitation of previous numerous gay cliché movies and TV shows.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: It is about time a good comedy was made about the evolvement of gay movement over the past 25 or so years....It keeps you laughing, but also makes you a bit somber...It also makes you realize how things have changed during the past years....I especially liked the ridiculous characters who were ignorant about the gay lifestyle, because it pokes fun at the blind hypocrites...and some footage of actual televised events that were broadcast to the public..
Buy it, you will like it
Rating: 
Summary: Good until the last act
Review: The movie tells the story of two men who fall in love and the movie follows them through 3 different times in their lives. I loved the the two leads and the chemistry between them was wonderful. The dialogue was well written but during the third act the film derails into the typical dramatic gay movie clichés and tragegy that become all too predictable. That's when I stopped enjoying it. If it hadnt taken this turn I would have given it a much higher rating.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Excellent on all accounts!!!
Review: I just saw this film for the first time today, and I was blown away! I saw the trailer for it on a DVD of another (very bad) gay movie, and figured it was going to be along the lines of "Trick." God, was I wrong! This roller-coaster-ride is in my opinion the greatest gay film ever made (and I've seen a LOOOOT of movies). Male/female, gay/straight, I'd recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. The Trip is an against the odds love story set in the backdrop of the gay activist movement of the 70's and 80's. Alan and Tommy meet and fall in and out of love trying desperately to be together, but ultimately being torn apart by outside forces. Steve Braun is excellent and so is Ray Baker, who does a terrific job as the "Villain" of the story, and Alexis Arquette is always there to give you a laugh at some of the sadder moments of the film. This movie shows a great love between two men in a world that seems not to want to permit it. The ending alone would make the coldest person cry. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and go away satisfied. Anyone should watch this film gay or straight. At the risk of being the kid at the end of the movie who thanks Alan for writing his book: thank you Miles Swain for making this film. I have never found a film that I could identify so strongly with. I'm 27, so I didn't live through Harvey Milk and Anita Bryant, (while I didn't go through the BIG anti-gay stuff, I came out ten years ago, pre-"Will and Grace," when gays still weren't mainstream) but my "Tommy," who was 12 years older than me, did live through that era. He would have absolutely loved this film... if he hadn't died two years ago. And so this leaves me being Alan... too close to Alan. When it's right you just know, and like Alan, I was pushed out of the closet abruptly when true love came knocking. Though far less uptight than Alan, I was also extremely self-loathing to the point where I could've (and probably did) called someone a "faggot." Suddenly, like Alan, there was my Tommy, the missing piece of my puzzle - and life was worth living despite the turmoil. Almost instantly, we were living together. Ironically, after four years together some factors were introduced that began to drive us apart (nothing as drastic as a breakup but conflict nonetheless). Another three or four years where we kind of drifted apart, like Alan and Peter. But love conquers all. In the end, it was painfully clear that despite our differences and problems, we completed each other's puzzle. And then he died. Two years later, I'm still here and okay. Saddened that I'm alone, but okay. Now, the reason that I've shared all of this is mainly because of the comments here. Even many who said that they liked the film said that parts were unrealistic... I'm living proof of the realism of the story. A big complaint seems to be the ending of the film, the non-Hollywood-happy-ending. Swain was going for realism here and he captured it beautifully - from the humour of life to the drama to the action to the heartbreak. While many people find the VERY ending to seem hokey and contrived, I found it to be quite poignant - it shows that Alan's alright two years later. Now, rehashes of previous statements: Why the HELL didn't FOX Searchlight or some other big distributor pick up this film? It's not sexually exploitive like most gay movies and it seems to go over well with straight people. Matter of fact, I never push gay movies on my straight best friend, but I'm gonna make him watch this one. The film deserves a wider audience (and a better promotional campaign than it had). If only Hollywood could produce something that moves me as much as this... then again, if they did, this wouldn't be the gem that it is. Thank you again, Mr. Swain.
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