The Guilt Trip - A Movie Review

There are plenty of fun things to do while on our road trip.

The Guilt Trip was released to theaters in 2012 after a long road trip. Inventor Andy Brewster is about to embark on a road trip to enhance his career. Guilty about leaving his lonely mother behind, he decides to bring her along for the trip. What ensues is a trip of a lifetime.

The Guilt Trip is one of the most underrated comedies. I remember seeing this movie in theaters with my grandmother and we were laughing the entire time. The Guilt Trip is an important film about making time for parents. Keep going on adventures and build memories.

Seth Rogan and Barbara Streisand made an excellent comedic mother-and-son duo. Not the closest pair, this road trip brings about conversations and memories they never thought of. Their interactions provide some of the film's most memorable moments, whether it's sharing embarrassing stories, arguing over directions, or engaging in good-natured bickering.

Streisand is charming in her role as Joyce, not disappointing. She delivers a stellar performance as Joyce. What could have been your stereotypical mom performance, Streisand made it her own interpretation. My favorite scene will always be Joyce cursing out Andy when he refuses to accept a glass of water.

Rogan shines in his role as the slightly neurotic Andy, especially with his trademark comedic timing. The more frustrated Andy gets with his mother’s fawning makes steam shoots out of his ears. Rogan has grown as an actor, showcasing his dramatic skills as an actor. Andy learns that he needs to have more fun, especially if he wants to get his product in view.

On road trips, of course, you run into some memorable characters. It’s one of the best parts of road trips. You never know who you will meet, whether it becomes a new friendship or someone trying to steal your wallet.

The supporting cast deserves recognition for providing hilarious interactions. Some credits to mention are Brett Cullen, Adam Scott, Ari Graynor, Casey Wilson, and Colin Hanks. My favorite small role will always be the stripper woman helping the duo chop ice off the car with just her show. Its roles like that stick out.

What sets The Guilt Trip apart from most comedies is its emotional depth. Surprisingly, it is an emotional film. The Guilt Trip is a touching story with a simple premise. Road trip scenarios have been used across several films but mainly for the comedic effect.

Although it’s a simple story, Anne Fletcher resonates with viewers personally to evoke laughter and heartfelt moments. Fletcher keeps the story going with several storylines and funny moments, like going to restaurants, Andy tackling his business affairs, and most importantly, road travels.

You can make so many memories just by sitting in a car. Another important message from The Guilt Trip is the importance of continuing to take trips with your parents. Once you are adults, trips are not over with your parents. They only get better.

The Guilt Trip is an endearing comedy. Rogen and Streisand's performances elevate the material, taking it beyond a simple road trip comedy and transforming it into a heartfelt exploration of familial love. There are several poignant moments, balancing it well with light-hearted comedy.

The movie doesn’t end at the credits. I highly recommend that you watch the blooper reel. Rogan and Streisand improvised several different versions of scenes. They had the best time working on this film.

The Guilt Trip deserves more recognition so on your next movie night, watch this. It’s a very funny movie.