The Trip By Miles Swaine – LGBT Film Review

Larry Sullivan And Steve Braun Star In This American AIDS Era Drama

Apr 22, 2009

Mile's Swaine's The Trip tells the story of two young men divided by political ideology, 24-year-old writer Alan Oakley played by the exceptionally capable Larry Sullivan, and exuberant, openly gay 19-year-old activist Tommy Ballenger intelligently portrayed by Steve Braun, who meet and, in spite of their differences, find a fragile love blossoms between them, turning into a steady long-term relationship overtime that lasts through the turbulent early 1970s.

This relationship is later shattered when a book Alan wrote before coming to terms with his sexuality and which sports a very clear anti-gay message is released, something that goes against everything activist Tommy stands for. After years of estrangement the two collide again in Miles Swaine's The Trip, and under tragic circumstances Alan and Tommy make one last journey together, a trip of recrimination, reconciliation and ultimately life changing emotion.

Writer and Director Miles Swaine Shines in The Trip

On script and direction, neither fail to impress in Miles Swaine's debut The Trip, and whilst both are not perfect, they do have endearing substance and style. The Trip has some well observed moments, not to mention a careful presentation of an array of gay characters that nearly all big budget movies miss, from the flaming Michael (the irrepressible but slightly grating Alexis Arquette), to the conniving older gay Republican Peter Baxter (played by Ray Baker with tongue firmly planted in cheek).

Some have criticised The Trip for lacking believable pace, whilst others cite that Miles Swaine's first film, which he wrote and directed himself, does not know what genre rules to adhere to or have a clear sense of what it is, but such accusations fail to recognise the nature of what the movie is trying to accomplish.

Essentially, The Trip is a gay comedy drama that seeks to depict the turbulent political climate of the early AIDS era with themes of homosexuality and awakening adulthood as its primary focus, and in this sense the film is successful, capturing the zeitgeist of the period for a modern lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) audience that may be keen to see the beginnings of the gay rights movement, the AIDS crisis or even to reflect on how times have changed.

Larry Sullivan Makes Miles Swaine’s The Trip a Journey Worth Taking

Alan Oakley as played by Larry Sullivan is perhaps the most endearing feature of The Trip. In spite of the bad wigs used to scale back his age, Sullivan manages to be consistently believable in his role as Alan Oakley, as well as showing an amount of daring by exposing a tender underbelly to the character with every line that he delivers.

There must have been a temptation to take Alan down the well travelled route of confusion where his sexual identity was concerned, but Larry Sullivan displays true acting talent in depicting Alan as a man who learns to be decisive, committed and in control, but doesn't start out that way, giving the relationship between Alan and Tommy a deeply faithful and affecting thread by which the story is buoyed. Indeed, had the two actors not had such great chemistry, The Trip would have certainly suffered, almost to the point of being shallow and vapid. Luckily, they did, and for this reason, The Trip works.

Furthermore, Larry Sullivan provides comedy in abundance, from near-naked highway dance routines to nuanced line delivery and, indeed, embodies the solid heart of Miles Swaine's film, making The Trip more than just a love story but, rather, the exploration of Alan Oakley's character as he discovers who he truly is as a man, a homosexual and an American, and how all three could potentially exist together in time.

The Trip by Miles Swaine is a Must for LGBT Film-Fans

The Trip is not a perfect movie. In fact, in part, it works because it isn't perfect. Some of the acting from the supporting cast in Miles Swaine's debut film is awful (Serina Irwin as Alan's friend Beverly is a remarkable exception), the tight budget shows with some weak camera tricks and poor wardrobe, and the Falcon Lair setting threatens to overpower the action at times.

But, those things aside, there is real impact to The Trip that makes Miles Swaine's debut movie undeniably enjoyable and thoroughly rewarding. The film also has an absolutely terrific soundtrack that is guaranteed to have the viewer jiving, if only just a little, and features real camera footage from the era which gives a sense of gravitas. The Trip wont be to everyone's tastes, but for those interested in LGBT film, as well as important moments in history for the Gay Rights movement, it should be considered a staple.

The copyright of the article The Trip By Miles Swaine – LGBT Film Review in Independent Films is owned by Steve Williams. Permission to republish The Trip By Miles Swaine – LGBT Film Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

May 27, 2009 3:54 PM

Guest :

Larry Sullivan was wonderful, but what about Steve Braun? His acting was no less exquisite. I still have a hard time believing the actor is straight in real life after all. Everything, the loving smile and kiss he plants on Alan's shoulder after they first make love, how he licks his lip suggestively, teasing Alan after Alan's parents leave, how he teases Alan about the initials on the necklace and then smiles affectionately and says he knows it stands for their initials, how he patiently waits for a hesitant Alan to say what he wanted to say despite being in a hurry for his TV interview after the book shocker... And many more instances where he is so obviously head over heels for Alan. His acting was exquisite, there's no other way to describe it, and it is MADDENING that he is still not near as recognized as he deserves.

Nora