Road Trip - 2000 - Dreamworks Pictures
Starring - Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Amy Smart, Paul Costanzo, D.J Qualls, Rachel Blanchard, Fred Ward and Tom Green.
Directed By - Todd Phillips
Produced By - Ivan Reitman, Tom Pollack, Daniel Goldberg.
First Impressions - I remember this film first coming out in the cinemas and thinking about how it looked like ’American Pie’. It was the same reason that I didn’t rush out to see either of these films. Once again it was a big mistake and I enjoyed this film nearly as much as ’American Pie’. Unfortunately I have only had the privelege of watching it in VHS format, although I do intend to buy the DVD very soon.
Minor Description of Plot - The film starts at Ithaca University, New York with Barry (Tom Green) showing a group of future pupils and parents around the campus. After taking a bit of flak from several of them he proceeds into telling ’’the greatest story ever told’’. This is where you get the first mention of the main character Josh (Breckin Meyer) and his childhood sweetheart Tiffany (Rachel Blanchard). Unfortunately, the couple had to form a long distance relationship when Josh went to Ithaca and Tiffany went to Austin, Texas. However, they kept in touch every day and Josh would record videos of himself and send them to Tiffany.
Next we get an introduction to E.L (Seann William Scott) who is holding a party at his house. He is also auctioning girls to the lucky bidder. Beth (Amy Smart) is one of these lovely girls, so she asks Josh if he can outbid a student who is stalking her. He only has $26 in his wallet but reluctantly agrees. The bidding starts and he eventually wins the girl. One thing leads to another and they end up in Josh’s dormitory. Beth notices the camera and decides that she would like to film the pair of them.
We then go to next morning where Rubin (Paul Costanzo), E.L and Barry are in Josh’s room. He returns from the shower in a very good mood and proceeds to brag about the goings on the night before. The group realise he has taped it and proceed to play the video.
To his horror, the video playing is of him talking to Tiffany. Rubin has sent the wrong tape. He has sent the tape of him and Beth. That minute there is a phonecall which no-one answers, It is Tiffany and she proceeds to speak into the answerphone explaining that one of her grandparents have died and she has to go and spend time with her mother. Josh realises he may have enough time to make it to Austin before she gets back. The only problem is, he hasn’t got money for a plane ticket so he will have to get there some other way.
He proceeds down to see Kyle (D.J Qualls), he is the nerd of the school. Josh asks if he can borrow his car to go to Austin. After a while Kyle reluctantly accepts and joins them on the ’’Road Trip’’. The rest is up to you to see.
Plus points - The director has put together a great cast here, Seann William Scott in particular is on top form again as the man you make the fun of most.
I think that a sequel may come from this film because the end shows how the characters ended up. I’m sure the screenwriters can make something of this.
I cannot comment personally on the DVD features here but I am informed that there are plenty of extra features.
Minus Points - I was a bit disappointed that Fred Ward didn’t play a bigger part in the film. The time he was in though was very exciting.
I couldn’t find anymore bad things to say except the excessive use of nudity for no reason was terrible.......
Similar Movies - American Pie (Seann William Scott)
Evolution - (Seann William Scott)
Loser (Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari)