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The Guilt Trip Movie Review Summary

Actors: Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Guilt Trip


Andy is a scientist who has just invented an environmentally-friendly cleaning product, which he's struggling to get sold to any of the major retail chains. He visits his mother, Joyce, who tells him that he was named after a man she was in love with years ago who she's afraid has forgotten all about her. When Andy does some research and finds that this man is living in San Francisco and is still single, he invites his mom on a trip across the country with her, which she enthusiastically agrees to. He regrets this decision almost instantly, as she micromanages every facet of his life and nags him along the drive; she calls up Andy's ex-girlfriend to see them, and she attends one of his meetings and screws up his sales pitch, among other problems. One night, after snapping at her, she snaps back, and they drink in bars apart. The next day, in Texas, they take part in a steak-eating competition, and Joyce meets a charming cowboy named Ben who helps her win and gives her his number. They arrive in Las Vegas for Andy's biggest pitch, and he reveals to her he didn't take her along solely because he wanted to spend time with her, but to try to reunite her with her long-lost love. She is hurt by this, but they don't have time to discuss it. Andy has to go into the biggest meeting of his life with his mother upset at him, and he must stay focused to make this sale-- and maybe even, begrudgingly, take some of his mother's advice.
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Best part of story, including ending: It's a nice tale of bonding between a mother and his son, and certainly the behavior of Andy's mother is something most children should be able to recognize.

Best scene in story: The scene in which Barbra Streisand downs a massive steak is hilarious to anyone who grew up watching Barbra Streisand movies.

Opinion about the main character: Andy is a guy who means very well, and even when he's short-tempered with his mother, his love for her shines through. This is helped by Rogen's obvious affection for Streisand.

The review of this Movie prepared by R.W. Hainline a Level 29 Superb Fruit-Dove scholar

Seth Rogen plays Andy Brewster, a chemist who has invented an environmentally friendly household cleaner which he calls Scioclean.

The product is good, but Andy is no salesman and is having trouble selling it to a distributor. After a failed pitch to Wal-Mart he calls his mother Joyce, who he has been avoiding talking to, and lies to her by saying it went very well.

He has planned a road trip from the East Coast where his mother lives, to Las Vegas to visit companies and present his product. He flies to New Jersey and spends one night visiting with his mother, who is the typical well meaning but overbearing cliche of a mom, and who drives him nuts. But as they chat into the night she reveals that before she married his father (who died when Andy was eight) she was in love with a man called Andrew Margolis, after whom she named her son.

Unable to get the thought out of his head, Andy googles and finds that Margolis is single and lives in San Francisco, he also manages to get an address. Feeling guilty at seeing his mother's loneliness, he decides to invite her on the road trip and pretend he has a new appointment in California.

Joyce is delighted that he wants to spend time with her and agrees immediately. But his good intentions fade as soon as they are on the road and she starts driving him crazy with her advice, questions and constant meddling into his affairs. Ever worse, the meetings keep going poorly and he lies to her to cover it up.

To save money they share a motel room, and as he practices his pitch she tries to give him tips and critiques. He takes it poorly and they have an argument. Then the next day they have car trouble and Joyce calls an ex-girlfriend of Andy's to pick them up, not knowing that the girl broke his heart. So things are already tense when they arrive at the Costco pitch meeting and discover the format is an open waiting area where the company reps come to your table, meaning that Joyce is present and can't help but butt in. When the Costco rep critiques the Scioclean name as clunky, Joyce agrees with him and points out she said the very same thing. Andy loses his temper and the meeting is another failure.

Back at the hotel that night Joyce starts out apologetic but as tempers flare she gets fed up with Andy's attitude of dismissal and she storms out and goes to a bar. She gets drunk and flirts with an increasingly aggressive man, and when Andy shows up he ends up getting in a fight and ends up with a black eye.

The next day things are more subdued, and Andy confesses that none of the meetings have gone well and he is out of money. They stop at a steakhouse and to save money Joyce takes on the house challenge to eat free if she can finish a massive steak. She succeeds and in the process attracts the attention of a handsome cowboy who gives her his number.

Cheered up and with the air cleared they arrive in Vegas, the second to last stop. Joyce enjoys herself gambling tells Andy to go on the San Francisco without her, forcing him to confess that the only reason to go to that city is to meet her former lover. She is upset when she realizes that this means the whole trip was a lie. Andy didn't want to spend time with her, just trick her into this encounter.

The next day is the last pitch, to the Home Shopping Network, and Andy knows that it is his last chance. He starts off with his usual patter but when he sees Joyce watching he realizes that her advice might actually have value. He switches things up and the pitch is a hit.

Overjoyed at the success Andy and Joyce make up and decide to finish their adventure by heading up to San Francisco as planned to find Andrew Margolis.
Best part of story, including ending: I liked that Joyce was a stereotypical mother but still believable and well rounded.

Best scene in story: When they get stuck in the snow outside a strip club.

Opinion about the main character: Andy is a bit passive aggressive.

The review of this Movie prepared by Maria Nunez a Level 11 Prairie Warbler scholar

Script Analysis of The Guilt Trip

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   2000's+ (present) Family, struggling with    -   Yes Struggle with:    -   Mother Road trip    -   Yes

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   scientist Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White American

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Texas City?    -   Yes City:    -   San Francisco Misc setting    -   bar

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment Any profanity?    -   Occasional swearing    -   Some foul language

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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