The Trip (2002 film)
Encyclopedia
The Trip is a 2002 epic gay
romance
that traces the relationship between two men from their initial meeting in 1973 until 1984.
) introduces himself to sexually repressed Alan (Larry Sullivan
). Tommy has long blond hair, and is openly gay with a glib sense of humor. The comparatively short-haired, muscular Alan is a member of the Young Republicans and an aspiring journalist. Alan is working on his first book, a treatise on homosexuality, and he invites Tommy over for dinner to interview him for the book. Their connection is so intense that Alan's kooky girlfriend Beverly (Sirena Irwin) suspects something more than an interview is going on and angrily departs.
Broken up with Beverly, Alan runs into Tommy a month later while jogging in Griffith Park and invites him for a night out; the two have a fantastic time, drinking and doing drugs along the way. At Alan's invitation, Tommy stays over at Alan's apartment. They sleep in separate rooms until Alan, in the middle of the night, joins Tommy in his bed, claiming the couch is too uncomfortable; Tommy leaves to go sleep on the couch. In the morning, Tommy tells Alan he has feelings for him and can't see him again. Tommy also confronts Alan about his own curiosity, prompting Alan to defensively blurt out, "I'm not a fag like you, okay?" Tommy walks out. Feeling horrible about what he said, Alan proceeds to call him nonstop, but Tommy won't come to the phone.
Alan proceeds to write his book, which is highly critical of gays and their lifestyle. However, when the manuscript brings an offer for a two-book deal, he doesn't want to sign the contract, as by then he realizes his own feelings for Tommy and rejects his old ideas about the gay community. Against his better judgment, he signs the contract, persuaded by attorney Peter (Ray Baker
), that it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Moments later, Tommy comes back to Alan's apartment to confront him about the phone calls and tell him he doesn't want to hear from him again. Alan takes a chance, grabbing Tommy and kissing him. It begins what will be a 4-year relationship.
Fast forward to 1977: Anita Bryant
is organizing the "Save Our Children
" campaign in Florida to rid the country of homosexuals and repeal a Florida law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Alan's book publisher, who previously decided the timing wasn't right, publishes Alan's book, The Straight Truth, against Alan's wishes, listing the author as "Anonymous." The book is used to fuel homophobia by the Christian Right, and it threatens to erode Tommy's work with his group Out Loud, whose aim is to change the public's negative views of gays. When word is leaked about who actually wrote the book, Tommy leaves Alan. Alan is also fired from his job at a newspaper. With nowhere to go and no job, he quickly becomes a "kept boy" of Peter, who himself is closeted
.
in 1984, when Alan finds out Peter was the one who leaked his name to the media, he leaves to reunite with Tommy. The two finally take the road trip they previously planned, but under tragic circumstances, as Tommy is now ill from an undisclosed illness. In a fitting end to their love story, Alan fulfills his book contract by writing a second book. This time, it is about his coming out
process and his love affair with Tommy. The book is called The Trip, and is dedicated to Tommy.
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
romance
Romance film
Romance films are love stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the main characters and the journey that their love takes through courtship or marriage. Romance films make the love story or the search for love the main plot focus...
that traces the relationship between two men from their initial meeting in 1973 until 1984.
Plot synopsis
The time is the socially turbulent 1970s, when radical politics and the emerging gay rights movement clashed with the rigidly conservative establishment. At a swanky L.A. party, lean and lanky Tommy (Steve BraunSteve Braun
Steve Braun is a Canadian television and movie actor from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Braun's credits include The Immortal, a TV show in which he and co-star Lorenzo Lamas hunted demons; The Trip, a independent film about coming of age in the HIV era; and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle , a major motion...
) introduces himself to sexually repressed Alan (Larry Sullivan
Larry Sullivan
Lawrence Edward "Larry" Sullivan, Jr. is an American actor.-Life and career:He was born in New Haven, Connecticut to parents Lawrence and Sheryl Sullivan. He is perhaps best known for his role as Robert, Will's ballet dancing boyfriend, on the NBC Television series Will & Grace...
). Tommy has long blond hair, and is openly gay with a glib sense of humor. The comparatively short-haired, muscular Alan is a member of the Young Republicans and an aspiring journalist. Alan is working on his first book, a treatise on homosexuality, and he invites Tommy over for dinner to interview him for the book. Their connection is so intense that Alan's kooky girlfriend Beverly (Sirena Irwin) suspects something more than an interview is going on and angrily departs.
Broken up with Beverly, Alan runs into Tommy a month later while jogging in Griffith Park and invites him for a night out; the two have a fantastic time, drinking and doing drugs along the way. At Alan's invitation, Tommy stays over at Alan's apartment. They sleep in separate rooms until Alan, in the middle of the night, joins Tommy in his bed, claiming the couch is too uncomfortable; Tommy leaves to go sleep on the couch. In the morning, Tommy tells Alan he has feelings for him and can't see him again. Tommy also confronts Alan about his own curiosity, prompting Alan to defensively blurt out, "I'm not a fag like you, okay?" Tommy walks out. Feeling horrible about what he said, Alan proceeds to call him nonstop, but Tommy won't come to the phone.
Alan proceeds to write his book, which is highly critical of gays and their lifestyle. However, when the manuscript brings an offer for a two-book deal, he doesn't want to sign the contract, as by then he realizes his own feelings for Tommy and rejects his old ideas about the gay community. Against his better judgment, he signs the contract, persuaded by attorney Peter (Ray Baker
Ray Baker (actor)
Ray Baker is an American theater, television and film actor. He is a long time character actor with over 100 credits on television and film alone. Baker is credited either as Ray or Raymond.-Selected filmography:...
), that it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Moments later, Tommy comes back to Alan's apartment to confront him about the phone calls and tell him he doesn't want to hear from him again. Alan takes a chance, grabbing Tommy and kissing him. It begins what will be a 4-year relationship.
Fast forward to 1977: Anita Bryant
Anita Bryant
Anita Jane Bryant is an American singer, former Miss Oklahoma beauty pageant winner, and gay rights opponent. She scored four Top 40 hits in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "Paper Roses", which reached #5...
is organizing the "Save Our Children
Save Our Children
Save Our Children, Inc. was a political coalition formed in 1977 in Miami, Florida, U.S. to overturn a recently legislated county ordinance that banned discrimination in areas of housing, employment, and public accommodation based on sexual orientation...
" campaign in Florida to rid the country of homosexuals and repeal a Florida law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Alan's book publisher, who previously decided the timing wasn't right, publishes Alan's book, The Straight Truth, against Alan's wishes, listing the author as "Anonymous." The book is used to fuel homophobia by the Christian Right, and it threatens to erode Tommy's work with his group Out Loud, whose aim is to change the public's negative views of gays. When word is leaked about who actually wrote the book, Tommy leaves Alan. Alan is also fired from his job at a newspaper. With nowhere to go and no job, he quickly becomes a "kept boy" of Peter, who himself is closeted
Closeted
Closeted and in the closet are metaphors used to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex people who have not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity and aspects thereof, including sexual identity and sexual behavior.-Background:In late 20th...
.
in 1984, when Alan finds out Peter was the one who leaked his name to the media, he leaves to reunite with Tommy. The two finally take the road trip they previously planned, but under tragic circumstances, as Tommy is now ill from an undisclosed illness. In a fitting end to their love story, Alan fulfills his book contract by writing a second book. This time, it is about his coming out
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
process and his love affair with Tommy. The book is called The Trip, and is dedicated to Tommy.
Cast list
- Larry SullivanLarry SullivanLawrence Edward "Larry" Sullivan, Jr. is an American actor.-Life and career:He was born in New Haven, Connecticut to parents Lawrence and Sheryl Sullivan. He is perhaps best known for his role as Robert, Will's ballet dancing boyfriend, on the NBC Television series Will & Grace...
as Alan Oakley - Steve BraunSteve BraunSteve Braun is a Canadian television and movie actor from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Braun's credits include The Immortal, a TV show in which he and co-star Lorenzo Lamas hunted demons; The Trip, a independent film about coming of age in the HIV era; and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle , a major motion...
as Tommy Ballenger - Ray BakerRay Baker (actor)Ray Baker is an American theater, television and film actor. He is a long time character actor with over 100 credits on television and film alone. Baker is credited either as Ray or Raymond.-Selected filmography:...
as Peter Baxter - James HandyJames HandyJames Handy is an American film actor. He appeared in more than eighty films and television serials between 1977 and 2011. He is best known for his appearance as Arthur Devlin in Alias and Lou Handleman in Profiler.-Selected filmography:...
as Hal - Faith SalieFaith SalieFaith Coley Salie is an American actress, comedian, radio host and television personality. She first became known for her role as Sarina Douglas on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and went on to host the Public Radio International program Fair Game with Faith Salie.-Family:Born in Boston,...
as Ignored Woman - Dennis Bailey as Larry Jenkins
- Alexis ArquetteAlexis ArquetteAlexis Arquette is an American trans woman, actress, musician, and cabaret performer.-Early life:...
as Michael - Sirena IrwinSirena IrwinSirena Irwin is an actress whose credits include Mrs. SquarePants on the animated television comedy, SpongeBob SquarePants. She also voiced Mama Krabs in the episodes "Enemy In-Law" and "Friend or Foe" among many others and also voiced Sqilvia in "Love that Squid"...
as Beverly - Jill St. JohnJill St. JohnJill St. John is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Tiffany Case, the lead Bond girl in Diamonds Are Forever.-Early life:...
as Mary Oakley - Art HindleArt HindleArthur Hindle is a Canadian actor and director.Hindle was born in Halifax. His family moved to Toronto while he was a child. Although shy as a youngster, he grew to be a rebellious and independent teenager...
as Ted Oakley
Soundtrack
- "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" - T-Rex
- "Ain't Nobody Straight in L.A." - The Miracles
- "Behind Closed DoorsBehind Closed Doors (Charlie Rich song)"Behind Closed Doors" is a country song written by Kenny O'Dell and first recorded by Charlie Rich for his 1973 album Behind Closed Doors. The single became Rich's first number-one hit on the country charts, spent 20 weeks on this chart, and also became a crossover hit on the pop charts...
" - Charlie Rich - "ShambalaShambala (song)"Shambala" is a song written by Daniel Moore and made famous by Three Dog Night whose cover reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Three Dog Night:...
" - Three Dog Night - "More, More, MoreMore, More, More"More, More, More" is a song written by Gregg Diamond and recorded by American disco artist Andrea True, who performed under the name "The Andrea True Connection"...
" - The Andrea True Connection - "Destination UnknownDestination Unknown (song)Destination Unknown is a single by the new wave band Missing Persons. It was released in 1982 on their album Spring Session M. In the US it was a minor hit spending 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #42....
" - Missing Persons - "Oh SheilaOh Sheila"Oh Sheila" is a 1985 single by Ready for the World. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot Black Singles and the Hot Dance Club Play charts. It was the first of two chart toppers for the band on the Billboard R&B chart, preceding their 1986 number-one R&B hit, "Love You Down"...
" - Ready for the World - "A Horse With No NameA Horse with No Name“A Horse with No Name” is a song written by Dewey Bunnell and originally recorded by the band America. It was the band's first and most successful single, released in early 1972, topping the charts in several countries...
" - America - "Adoro" - Los Romanticos
- "Jump (for My Love)Jump (for My Love)"Jump " was the opening track of the Pointer Sisters' 1983 album, Break Out.Released prior to the 1984 Summer Olympics games, the song's video featured footage of athletes competing in track and field events. The song was the second of four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in a row for the sisters...
" - Pointer Sisters - "Cover Me" - Bruce Springsteen