After enduring the banality of Big Eden and the ineptitude of Circuit the past two years at Phoenix's annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, I wasn't expecting too much from the highlighted festival finale. But I was entertained by Miles Swain's debut feature, The Trip, a surprisingly intelligent romantic comedy combining elements of The Graduate, Forrest Gump, Thelma and Louise, and Longtime Companion. Swain refuses to wallow in pedantic preaching, instead drawing memorable and likeable characters into the period piece.

Inspired by a 1984 urban legend about two gay friends that meet up in Mexico to travel, but are refused for a flight when an airline worker believes one of them has AIDS, Swain adapts the concept with the premise that this is a reconciliation rendezvous with a first love while layering political content into the mix. That it works so well is a tribute to the screenwriting which weaves broader issues and humor, some fine ensemble acting, and high production values that include a lively original score and period music (Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, and other rockers).

Spanning 1973 to 1984, The Trip centers on the relationship between conflicted Republican journalist Alan (Larry Sullivan), and charismatic gay activist Tommy (Steve Braun), beginning with a gay friendly Beverly Hills party scene at Falcon Lair (former Rudolph Valentino estate). Working on a book chronicling gay history, Alan invites Tommy to dinner at his apartment and the twists begin. Thinking the dinner invitation's a come on, Tommy is initially puzzled by Alan's fleeting blonde girlfriend Beverly (Sirena Irwin), but the trio soon becomes a romantic duo.

Before accepting his true nature completely, Alan pens his homosexual treatise, The Straight Story, peppered with homophobic phrases that his conservative career military father would approve of. By the time the finished draft reaches the publisher, Tommy has moved in and Alan is relieved that the publisher thinks the book ill timed—considering it a work best to never see the light of day. These were tough times for conservatives, with Watergate brewing and everyone declaring “Nixon's the One.”

But pendulum swings always occur in politics, and forward strides in gay rights are met with Anita Bryant and Ronald Reagan. Likewise Tommy and Alan are fated for a bumpy ride, as love and loyalty are tested by corresponding political and social conventions. The second half of the plot degenerates with melodramatic touches involving closeted evil “sugar daddy” Peter (Ray Brady), but never to the point of dismissal given the strength of the characters and the great supporting cast, highlighted by delightfully comic cameos by Jill St. John (as Alan's sympathetic mother) and Alexis Arquette (as flamboyant boy chasing Michael).

After seeing the usual generic and preachy gay themed “after school specials” that all revolve around “following your heart” and being “true to yourself” to find happiness, it's a delight to run across a festival film that doesn't insult your intelligence or rely strictly on cliché to gain a few knowing chuckles. Even The Trip's deliberately “campy” characters are enjoyable, not grating, like ditsy New Age candle-burning Buddhist turned Scientologist Beverly, who beleives ménage á trois is a French appetizer.

The film works effectively as character study while managing to squeeze in poignancy about the nature of relationships and missed opportunities. Despite travelling similar routes of other gay themed cinema, the depth of the script and acting make it worthwhile viewing. Swain is a director to watch for.

Related Reading
Big Eden