Tom Greeny? Road Trip
By Ross Anthony
Nope. Not Tom Greeny. Just greeny. Some people hate this guy, some people love this guy. I happen to think he's pretty funny, but I don't like him. However, none of this will effect how much you enjoy "Road Trip" because Tom Green plays a minor role in the production.
And ninety percent of his role is not Tom Green material. Okay, there's the rat in mouth trick - pretty darned funny, I laughed; and the kissing some kid's mom on the lips part - funny, I'm not denying it. But all else is scripted work that could have been done by any other actor - quite likely better. Tom is best in an unscripted, unprompted environment. That doesn't happen here, but it doesn't matter, because this film is not about Tom Green. (Think I've made that point.)
It's about Josh (Breckin Meyer), he's had the same girlfriend/buddy since first grade, but now that they've gone to separate colleges, he has reason to believe she's cheating on him. So he does what any true friend would do, he sleeps with a convenient babe, videos it and accidentally mails the tape to his girl in Austin, Texas. Realizing his "I Love Lucy" blunder, he gathers his friends and begs, burrows, steals his way to Texas to intercept that package.
Okay, it's not the meatiest of plot lines - but I wasn't expecting one anyway. I was expecting Tom Green, and/or comedy, both of which were absent, tardy, or simply not paying attention.
The funniest scene finds Grampa in his pajamas with a Viagra-induced woody. He's completely unembarrassed to greet the four college guests with his lil' pal poppin' the tent, "What do you want me to do, cut it off?" It's very funny actually.
Most of the acting is fine, but Seann William Scott's Jim-Carrey-wannabee act is a bit grating. That and the fake bomb threat. I don't find that humorous.
I've heard this film compared to "American Pie" ... sacrilege! In truth, you could count the gut-busting scenes on one hand, and the chucklers on the other and still have a finger or two left to do with as you please. (Don't tell me I don't want to know).
Road Trip. Copyright © 2000. Rated R. Starring Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Amy Smart, Paulo Costanzo, DJ Qualls, Rachel Blanchard, Anthony Rapp, Fred Ward, Tom Green. Directed by Todd Phillips Written by Todd Phillips and Scot Armstrong. Produced by Daniel Goldberg and Joe Medjuck at DreamWorks.
Grade..........................B-
-- Copyright © 2000. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: http://RossAnthony.com
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