The Guilt Trip (2012)
The Guilt Trip reminds me of Only the Lonely. The tagline for the latter is, “A comedy for anyone who’s ever had a mother,” and it completely applies to this 2012 comedy as well. Every kid, son or daughter, will find something to smile or laugh about in Barbra Streisand’s hilarious character. Written by Dan Fogelman, who also wrote the touching and realistic Danny Collins, it’s a perfect representation of an adult child’s relationship with his mother, whom he loves, is tired of, and wants to make proud. It’s funny and a little dramatic, without getting too dark, and extremely heartwarming. In other words, watch it.
You’d never know it, but Seth Rogen has some talent buried inside of him. Maybe this script really touched him, maybe he has unresolved mother issues, or maybe Anne Fletcher was a wonderful director, but Seth gives a fantastic and relatable performance. He and Barbra have a wonderful rapport together, a testament to both the actors and the script. It’s so easy to believe they’re mother and son; Fogelman writes of ever-present love underneath the push and pull of a normal, irritating relationship.
It’s really hard to find a leading role for an older woman that’s actually a good part. After a fifteen-year retirement, Jane Fonda chose Monster-in-Law, which was pretty much a caricature instead of a character. Susan Sarandon found a gem in the mis-titled The Meddler, as did Barbara in The Guilt Trip. She’s a well-meaning, very loving mother who takes a road trip with her son, unaware of his real intentions for the trip. She has idiosyncrasies that drive him nuts and remind everyone in the audience of their own mothers, and at the same time she’s enormously real and three-dimensional.
Every time I watch this movie with my family—believe it or not, Seth Rogen actually made a family friendly movie—we all get lumps in our throats. Unless you vehemently hate Barbra Streisand or have just lost your mother and are avoiding all movies about parents, buy a copy of The Guilt Trip and watch it during your next movie night. I guarantee you’ll love it. I’d describe my favorite part to complete my recommendation, but there are just too many to choose from!
More Barbra Streisand movies here!
You’d never know it, but Seth Rogen has some talent buried inside of him. Maybe this script really touched him, maybe he has unresolved mother issues, or maybe Anne Fletcher was a wonderful director, but Seth gives a fantastic and relatable performance. He and Barbra have a wonderful rapport together, a testament to both the actors and the script. It’s so easy to believe they’re mother and son; Fogelman writes of ever-present love underneath the push and pull of a normal, irritating relationship.
It’s really hard to find a leading role for an older woman that’s actually a good part. After a fifteen-year retirement, Jane Fonda chose Monster-in-Law, which was pretty much a caricature instead of a character. Susan Sarandon found a gem in the mis-titled The Meddler, as did Barbara in The Guilt Trip. She’s a well-meaning, very loving mother who takes a road trip with her son, unaware of his real intentions for the trip. She has idiosyncrasies that drive him nuts and remind everyone in the audience of their own mothers, and at the same time she’s enormously real and three-dimensional.
Every time I watch this movie with my family—believe it or not, Seth Rogen actually made a family friendly movie—we all get lumps in our throats. Unless you vehemently hate Barbra Streisand or have just lost your mother and are avoiding all movies about parents, buy a copy of The Guilt Trip and watch it during your next movie night. I guarantee you’ll love it. I’d describe my favorite part to complete my recommendation, but there are just too many to choose from!
More Barbra Streisand movies here!