- Title: Eurotrip
- IMDB: link
On or around this date ten years ago Eurotrip opened in theaters. Although similiar in set-up to 2000’s dismal Road Trip (notable for bigger names and far less laughs), Eurotrip brought together an entirely different cast for a road trip adenture in Europe, that had far more heart while providing a quartet of likable lead characters. The result is a pleasant surprise that is often more enjoyable than you might expect.
The plot centers around four friends heading to Europe (albeit for different purposes) after high school graduation. Twins Jaime (Travis Wester) and Jenny (Michelle Trachtenberg) are on vacation together when they run into Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) and his slacker pal Cooper (Jacob Pitts) who get jobs as couriers to make their way to Europe to repair Scotty’s relationship with his pen pal Mieke (Jessica Boehrs) which is damaged following a misunderstanding and drunken night when Scotty learns (quite publicly) that his now ex-girlfriend Fiona (Kristin Kreuk) has been cheating on him for months.
Deciding to stick together, the foursome get into various misadventures in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Bratislava, and Berlin before finally making it to Rome and giving Scotty a chance to share his true feelings with (while accidentally causing an international incident in Vatican City). Yes the last act is far goofier than necessary (as is that odd sequence involving Fred Armisen on the train), but for a teen sex comedy the jokes hit more than they miss providing several fun (if completely ridiculous) sequences.
I’d never argue Eurotrip is a great movie, but the cast of characters is likable and the various tomfoolery they get into is (more often than not) surprisingly entertaining. The film is most memorable for being Trachtenberg’s first “mature” role following Buffy the Vampire Slayer and for the catchy theme of “Scotty Doesn’t Know” (explicitly stating details of Scotty’s cheating girlfriend) which becomes a running gag after being first performed by Donny (Matt Damon) at the post-graduation party.
Available on both Blu-ray and DVD, the “Unrated” DVD includes both the theatrical cut and a slightly longer version of the film (featuring more nudity and explicit language) which isn’t included on the later Blu-ray release. Also included is audio commentary from screenwriters Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and Dave Mandel, a gag reel, deleted scenes, a music video for “Scotty Doesn’t Know,” and a separate menu for the unrated version’s steamier extended scenes.
[Paramount, DVD $26.99 / Blu-ray $19.98]
