In 1999, MTV introduced the teen world to the raunchy comedy of Tom Green. Now Green has taken his lewd antics to the big screen with Road Trip. Tom’s character, Barry, narrates the tale of Josh’s love life at Ithaca University. Josh has a long distance relationship with Tiffany, but his college buddies think he’s a “prude” and mock his faithfulness to a girl who lives so far away. Josh caves in to their taunts and indulges in extracurricular female activity. Enter Beth, a coed who seduces Josh and records their bedroom encounter. There’s only one problem, in a rude comedic mix-up, Josh’s roommate sends the videotape to Tiffany. So Josh and his friends pile into a car and take a “road trip” to try and stop the cassette from reaching its final destination.
Positive Elements: None.
Spiritual Content: Jacob wears a sweater with the logo, “God Is Awesome.” Then, at the end of the film, he becomes the leader of a cult.
Sexual Content: The central theme of the movie is illicit sex. Josh’s friends ridicule him for not cheating on his girlfriend. They tell him, “Anytime you pass up sex, you’re cheating yourself.” Josh folds under the peer pressure. Josh “buys” Beth at a party where women are auctioned off to the highest bidder. The pair winds up back in his dorm room (which is decorated with busty pin-ups) where she turns a video camera on to document her strip tease. The tape roles as Beth takes off everything but her panties and joins Josh in bed. Later, Josh relives the encounter in a dream. Barry fondles two topless women and begs them to kiss. Kyle has sex with a stranger (she puts a condom on him first). The camera leers at nude and semi-nude women in a locker room, exposing moviegoers to brief full-frontal nudity. A traveling companion gives Beth a vibrator, telling her it is “better than a man.” In need of money, Josh and E.L. offer their services at a sperm bank (Josh looks at pornographic magazines, E.L. gets “help” from a female nurse). Barry’s backside makes an appearance. Women parade across the screen in low-cut shirts and bras. And if that weren’t enough, numerous lewd conversations revolve around fornication, masturbation, pornography and sexual anatomy.
Violent Content: A sorority girl beats her boyfriend—and his car—with a bat. A snake sinks its teeth into Barry’s hand and then wraps itself around someone’s neck. A clerk’s head is slammed against a counter. An angry student starts a fistfight with Kyle and Josh. Kyle’s dad pulls a gun on security guards.
Crude or Profane Language: Over 30 obscenities including f-words and s-words (a talking dog is responsible for several of them). Additionally, God’s name is abused and a number of milder profanities arise. Two songs feature foul language.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Rubin declares that “college is a time to do drugs.” At several parties students drink, smoke cigarettes and get high. Rubin tries to buy marijuana from a motel desk clerk. He later smokes weed with an old man.
Other Negative Elements: Gross, lowbrow humor is the rule. Unknowingly, Kyle eats French toast that has been stuck down someone’s pants. Barry puts a rat in his mouth. Objects are knocked off of a table by an old man’s Viagra-induced erection. A blind woman hoists her middle finger at E.L.. He then proceeds to steal a bus from a school for the blind.
Summary: Just like the Scream franchise garnered a host of imitators, the formula of perverted comedy and voyeurism resurrected by American Pie has birthed a raunchy step-child called Road Trip. The new movie’s posters even borrow American Pie’s scheme of barely-clothed coeds. Amy Smart said she felt good about taking her clothes off in the movie because, “Everything was tastefully done.” She couldn’t be further from the truth. Far from being tasteful, this movie lacks even one drop of morality, tact or respect. It’s one trip to the theater every teen should avoid.
