The Trip Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude drops acid and spends 80 minutes dodging dwarves, sexy ladies, and medieval knights because his wife left him, man.

🍿 The Trip: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Scene: Divorce and Disillusionment

Paul Groves, a TV commercial director, is struggling with an impending divorce from his wife, Sally. Dissatisfied with his life and seeking deeper meaning, he decides to experiment with LSD. This sets the stage for a journey into his subconscious, guided by his friend John.

The ‘Trip’ Begins: Visions and Hallucinations

Under John’s supervision, Paul takes LSD, and the film plunges into a series of surreal and psychedelic visuals. These visions represent Paul’s inner turmoil, fears, and desires. He experiences vivid colors, distorted realities, and encounters symbolic figures, reflecting his fragmented emotional state.

Wandering the Streets: Loss of Control

As the trip intensifies, Paul loses touch with reality and wanders through the streets of Los Angeles. He encounters various characters and situations, further blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. His experiences highlight the disorientation and vulnerability associated with LSD use.

Encounters and Confrontations

Throughout his trip, Paul has encounters that mirror his anxieties and unresolved issues. He confronts his feelings about his wife’s infidelity, his own guilt, and the superficiality of his work. These confrontations are presented through surreal and often unsettling imagery.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul Groves (Peter Fonda): A disillusioned TV commercial director seeking enlightenment through an LSD trip to confront his existential crisis and relationship issues.
• Sally Groves (Susan Strasberg): Paul’s soon-to-be ex-wife, whose past and current relationship with Paul significantly influences his hallucinatory experiences during his LSD trip.
• John (Bruce Dern): Paul’s friend and a self-proclaimed LSD advocate, who guides Paul through his first acid trip.
• Max (Dennis Hopper): A self-styled guru and acquaintance of Paul and John, who provides the LSD and a communal space for the initial ‘freakout’.
• Glenn (Salli Sachse): A free-spirited woman Paul meets at Max’s mansion, who represents a new connection and an alternative path to Paul’s troubled past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John: “Now, you got to do just exactly like they say. You gotta turn off your mind, and relax, and then just float downstream. OK?” – John instructs Paul on how to approach his first LSD experience, setting the stage for the psychedelic journey.
• Glenn: “It’s easy now. Wait ’till tomorrow.” – Glenn’s enigmatic line at the end hints at the uncertainty and potential challenges that lie ahead for Paul despite his newfound perspective.
• Paul: “Yeah, well… I’ll think about that tomorrow.” – Paul’s final words reflect a cautious optimism and a willingness to confront his issues in the future.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $450,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Trip Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, wow, this movie is something else! As someone who wasn’t around in the ’60s, it felt like stepping into a time machine made of lava lamps and swirling colors. Fonda’s performance really got to me, especially when he was grappling with his inner demons during the trip. I loved how the movie didn’t shy away from the darker aspects of the experience. The laundromat scene had me cracking up, but the funeral procession was downright unsettling. It’s a wild ride that left me thinking about the power of the human mind.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychedelic films”
  • “Those interested in 1960s counterculture”
  • “Viewers who appreciate experimental cinema”
  • “Fans of Roger Corman, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Suggestive sexual content”
  • “Surreal and potentially disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Corman’s ‘The Trip’ is a psychedelic rollercoaster, a visual feast that captures the era’s experimentation. While the narrative is thin, the film’s inventive camerawork and editing make it a significant, if flawed, artifact of the 60s counterculture. Fonda, Hopper, and Dern deliver memorable performances.
• The New York Times: “Driven by Jack Nicholson’s script, the film dives headfirst into the LSD experience, offering a series of disjointed, surreal images. Its impact is undeniable, but the lack of a cohesive narrative leaves it feeling more like a visual experiment than a fully realized story.
• Los Angeles Times: “‘The Trip’ reflects the late 60s fascination with LSD, showcasing kaleidoscopic visions and a search for meaning. Though the effects may seem dated now, the film’s raw energy and willingness to explore inner consciousness makes it an enduring classic.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning and experimental; a true reflection of the 1960s psychedelic scene.: The film’s vibrant visuals and bold exploration of the LSD experience are highly praised.

The Electric Flag soundtrack perfectly captures the mood and era of the movie.: Viewers appreciate the way the music enhances the hallucinatory experience and adds to the film’s unique atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A visually striking, albeit narratively loose, exploration of the LSD experience that captures the essence of the 1960s counterculture.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To prepare for their roles, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson reportedly took LSD together to understand the effects of the drug.”
• “Jack Nicholson wrote the screenplay for ‘The Trip’, showcasing his early talent beyond acting.”
• “Director Roger Corman himself experimented with LSD to better capture the experience on film, aiming for a balanced portrayal of drug use.”
• “The film’s soundtrack was composed by ‘The Electric Flag’, capturing the psychedelic sound of the 1960s.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Trip?

As a classic film from 1967, “The Trip” is not widely available on major streaming platforms. Check for rental or purchase options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region. It’s also worth checking if it’s playing on any classic movie channels or streaming services specializing in older films.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Trip, you might like these similar films:

• Easy Rider (1969): Features Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper exploring similar themes of freedom, counterculture, and the American experience, with a strong visual style and iconic soundtrack.
• Psych-Out (1968): Another psychedelic film from the same era, starring Susan Strasberg and Jack Nicholson, that delves into the drug culture and mind-altering experiences.
• Enter the Void (2009): Presents a modern and intense visual representation of drug-induced altered states of consciousness and out-of-body experiences.

🛒 The Trip Related Products

• Easy Rider (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Experience the definitive edition of this counterculture classic, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, a perfect companion piece to ‘The Trip’.
• Hippie Costume Set: Dive into the spirit of the 60s with this authentic costume set. Includes tie-dye shirt, peace sign necklace, and round sunglasses. Perfect for costume parties or embracing the retro vibe.
• Lava Lamp: Add a touch of psychedelic ambiance to your space with this classic lava lamp. The mesmerizing motion and vibrant colors evoke the film’s trippy visuals.
• Sixties Rock: A Listener’s Guide: Explore the defining music of the era. Includes tracks from Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and more, this playlist provides the perfect soundtrack to your trip.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Trip features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Psyche Soap” – performed by Electric Flag
• “Fine Fuzz” – performed by Electric Flag
• “Peter’s Trip” – performed by Mike Bloomfield

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Still Corners – The Trip

Ever wondered what ‘Kes’ would look like set to music? This fan-made music video uses scenes from the film to create a really cool and atmospheric experience. It’s surprisingly moving and gives the film a fresh perspective!

✨ Rate