I so very much wanted to love "The Trip." It has so many wonderful elements going for it, including songs and footage that invoke an era I remember well. At its heart is a bittersweet love story that somehow manages to retain much of its intended poignancy is spite of its gross mishandling by cast and crew. The scenes where Alan (Larry Sullivan) holds Tommy (Steve Braun) and strokes his hair as he sleeps by the side of the road and later cradles him in his arms and touches his face after he has died are heartbreakingly well-realized. But what really broke my heart was the fact that this movie should have been so much more than it is. Unevenly directed by Miles Swain, with performances that ranged from stilted to amateurishly overdone, "The Trip" is closer to a bad '70s made-for-TV movie than a feature film. Steve Braun does generate his fair share of appeal as Tommy, and the concept behind the film deserves far batter treatment than it received. Someday, in a better world, there will be no more AIDS, no more selfish deceptions, no more "I love yous" left unsaid. Someday, in a better world, this story will be retold the way it should have been done to begin with. At its core, "The Trip" is about opportunities missed. As a film, it serves as its own case in point.

The first half of it is interesting, a beautiful love story. The middle part is touching. And the final part really made me think. To think about life, time and love. It is one of the very few movies that makes me think after viewing it. Though, because of living environment, I cannot understand some parts of it, such as Nixon and Republicans. If I could, I probably will give it a higher score. So it is hard for me to write much about the essence of the plot. I was so astonished when I saw Americans paraded for gays' rights already in the 1970's. But so far, it is good enough. It consists unawareness, happiness, twist, death and not being able to control.

"The Trip" is, in my opinion anyway, a film that any hotblooded person will be sure to like. The topic is not very controversial today, but it depicts a time where gay people had to fight very hard for their rights, and even to be regarded as normal, sane people. Spanning over 11 years the film explores a love story between an openly gay, gay-rights activist and a not so altogether conservative but closeted writer in spe. As I said in my headline, it is a very emotional and captivating film, and it is certainly in my all time top ten, even if it is one of the saddest endings I have ever come across (I will give you no clues as I don't want to spoil the ending for you, as I just know you're gonna see it soon!). It's not overly sentimental or rosy colored in any way, and I believe that it is the frankness and straight-forwardness of the film, that makes it both credible and engaging. And for those who thinks that sounds too serious. Don't worry, there is quite a bit of comic relief and humor in the film. But non the less; be sure to have some Kleenex close by when you watch it! Happy viewing!

I absolutely fell in love with this film it was funny and sooo romantic and was everything I look for in a movie for gay men and their followers! The film was compelling and the romance between the two leads was the best I have seen in a very long time. Also Jill St. John was great and raised the question where has she been! However, to me the film changed and at the end of one of the most wonderfully romantic films, I was watching one of the saddest I have ever seen. All I can say was that a great film left me hugely depressed and I wondered why can't their be a happy ending for any gay films that deal with romance as well as this one did? This is film not real life and when you make a loving couple so lovable together what the director did was wrong. Sorry if you disagree but these are my feelings! P.S I was so upset by the end I had a nightmare and I never get them from films!