As comedies disappeared from theaters during the PC era of the past 10-15 years, some throwaways from the period before that gained stature. A prime example is “EuroTrip” (2004), which I see mentioned an unusual amount for such a basic comedy. Admittedly, it is cute, easy to watch, often worthy of a smile, and it moves on quickly when jokes don’t land.
It has the same producers as “Road Trip” (2000), but it’s a standalone film that has not become a franchise. It is much better than “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” (1985) as it uses the same premise of Americans’ fish-out-of-water adventures in Europe except with high school graduates instead of a family.
Seeing the credits of writer-director trio of Jeff Schaffer, Alec Berg and David Mandel (“Curb Your Enthusiasm” for all three, “Silicon Valley” for Berg and “Veep” for Mandel), it’s clear “EuroTrip” is an example of friends having a good time, and using the movie as the excuse. That can be a recipe for boredom and annoyance (see Adam Sandler’s larks), but that’s not the case here.
“EuroTrip” (2004)
Directors: Jeff Schaffer, Alec Berg, David Mandel
Writers: Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer
Stars: Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, Michelle Trachtenberg
Despite the many things that go wrong, and the era’s usual jokes about gays and mentally challenged people, “EuroTrip” is has a stress-free vibe, like everything is expected (despite not reflecting the real world). Scott Mechlowicz takes it all in stride as Scotty. A mean song, “Scotty Doesn’t Know,” gets written about him and turned into a hit by a punk rocker played by Matt Damon, but Scotty admits the tune is catchy.
It’s funny simply because it’s Damon, not because the film leans into any mean-spiritedness. Many moments are funny just because they are there, and Mechlowicz’s laid-back nature – like Ron Livingston’s in “Office Space” — reflects that. It’s not even the wrong choice. Scotty aims to find his hot German pen pal, Mieke (Jessica Boehrs), after an email miscommunication, and we know they’ll hit it off.
Worth the trip
“EuroTrip” has breezy, underdeveloped arcs. Michelle Trachtenberg’s Jenny is – to her annoyance — “just one of the guys,” and Cooper (Jacob Pitts, “Justified,” “Sneaky Pete”) gradually notices her. Jenny’s twin, Jamie (Travis Wester), is a meticulous planner. And it’s under-produced in cost. It hits London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and depressingly ruined Slovakia (for a solid gag about the exchange rate that’s favorable to the dollar), but it’s mostly filmed in the Czech Republic.
Humor comes from easy callbacks and guest stars who steal scenes with improvisation. Fred Armisen’s Creepy Italian Guy on a train says “Scoozie” while sexually harassing Scotty. A nude beach sequence (all dudes, natch) and robot mime bit have their fans; they are worth shrugs from me. But that’s comedy; tastes vary.
When I first saw “EuroTrip,” I was irked that Trachtenberg doesn’t have much of a role. But in retrospect, no one does. The movie is not one iota more substantial than it needs to be, amiably checking off stereotypes and not caring about logic. The climactic sequence, where somehow the gang announces a change in Papal leadership, is content to be dumbly absurd rather than cleverly absurd.
It’s a silly raunch-com, but a rather sweet one with good cast chemistry and a pleasing sense that no situation is too serious – not a bad lesson for those who worry too much. The expectedness of too many sequences let the film down a bit. The “American Pie” films easily beat it on joke success rate and thematic resonance, although the friendships seem a tad more genuine here. And now, of course, we must treasure every Trachtenberg performance.
“EuroTrip” isn’t elite in my guidebook, but the cast and crew include the audience in their good time, and I see why it’s a cult classic to many.