The Road Trip

Based on Beth O’Leary’s best-selling novel of the same name, The Road Trip follows Addie (Emma Appleton) as she embarks on a chaotic journey to Spain to attend a wedding. Accompanying her in the cramped confines of her minivan are her brash yet loving sister Deb (Isabella Laughland), her ex-boyfriend Dylan (Laurie Davidson), Dylan’s volatile best friend Marcus (David Jonsson) and the socially inept tagalong Rodney (Angus Imrie). Oscillating between past and present, the Paramount+ series gradually unravels Addie and Dylan’s ill-fated romance and the unresolved emotions that linger between them.

The show’s writing takes on an unhurried, measured pacing that leaves room for the narrative to breathe – allowing for the characters’ tangled histories and individual quirks to come to light naturally. Moments of comedy, such as Marcus’s hilariously strained phone call with his wealthy, uncaring father, are given room to shine, as are the more tender, introspective scenes set within the confines of Addie’s van. The choice of television over film feels particularly apt, affording O’Leary’s story the space and time it deserves. And it is just as generous visually – the cinematography plays with the contrasting palettes of the story’s settings, from the sun-kissed, pastel notes of a Mediterranean summer to the muted greys of England’s autumn. Addie’s Wes Anderson-esque minivan, which plays a supporting role in both the past romance and her current journey, adds a playful charm to the series, acting as both a narrative and aesthetic focal point.

Central to the success of any romantic comedy is the chemistry between its leads, and Appleton and Davidson deliver in spades. Their portrayal of Addie and Dylan is layered with a realism that eschews their tropes, their hesitant exchanges imbued with both tension and tenderness. While the core romance captivates, the supporting cast somewhat falters. Deb embodies the archetypal overprotective sister, Marcus the jerk who will inevitably prove that he has a heart of gold, and Rodney remains a plot device, providing broad comedy and unintentionally pushing the romance along. 

Nonetheless, The Road Trip distinguishes itself with its natural, detailed touch. By taking full advantage of the generous runtime afforded by a television series and complementing the quippy dialogue with visual storytelling, the adaptation manages to retain the heart of O’Leary’s escapist novel while putting the creative potential of its new medium to full use.

Christina Yang

The Road Trip is released on Paramount+ on 26^th December 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Road Trip here: