Released just in time for Mother’s Day, The Guilt Trip is a heartwarming and enjoyable look at a mum and son relationship.
Max Parker
Starring Seth Rogen and Barbara Streisand as mother and son Andy and Joyce Brewster, The Guilt Trip is a traditional road-trip movie.
After failing to sell his organic cleaning product locally, Andy decides to cross America to offer it to the big department stores. Before hitting the road, he visits his mum and after learning some family secrets he takes her along as well.
Rogen is likable
That is really where the story itself stops. What follows is 90 minutes of mother-son bonding, arguments and plenty of clever script-writing that makes the film relatable.
Taking a break from his usual crude comedies like Superbad and Knocked Up, Seth Rogen plays a more likeable character and shows that he is capable of more than just sexual innuendo gags.
Streisand plays her role as a nagging yet doting mum well. Both leads create strong chemistry and this is definitely the films highlight. Without a particularly strong story, it is up to Rogen and Streisand to carry the film, as they are the only two people on screen most of the time.
No means hilarious
As road-trip movies go, The Guilt Trip does not offer much that has not been seen before. Car problems, dodgy weather and fall-outs all occur, but it is the growing bond between the mother and son that is most impressively portrayed.
Comedy wise it is by no means hilarious, but the timing of clever lines, make it enjoyable to listen to their conversations as they drive.
A little safe
A Man vs. Food type eating challenge in Texas offers a nice interlude from the driving, yet another stop at a strip club is a little unnecessary.
The Guilt Trip is a safe film, yet it is endearing. Though it misses some laugh out loud moments, it packs in enough subtle jokes and well thought out characters to make it worthwhile.
The duo of Streisand and Rogen is great and it is this casting, along with a few sharp lines, that turn the film from a disaster to an amusing throw away comedy.
A stronger supporting cast and a couple more interesting plot points would have increased the appeal and the outcome of the film as a whole.
Rating: 6/10
The Guilt Trip is released in cinemas March 8