Review: The Day Trippers (2011)

Review by Josephine Koima (Intern)

Director: Pat Comer
Producer and Writer: Keith Bogue
Lead Actors: Dick Tobin, Barbara Seery
Duration: 6:46 minutes

There’s always the secret longing to re-live the younger, more youthful years of our lives, this film offers an insight to some ideas on how to do that. The Day Trippers is unquestionably entertaining, portrayed by characters trying to defy old age restrictions, for example, an old man lifting his crutch when completely lost in dancing.

The story, written by Keith Bogue is simply told, an old couple and friends have an avenue to have fun and reconnect, a secret rave that they alone know. Their choice of meeting, a closed hall that is deserted proves that. Their preferred mode of communication is a text message, where they are given details about the mystery rendezvous.

The sound is a favorable choice, since there is hardly any dialogue in the film, the music gives us perceptive on how the story unfolds. The characters share a love and enjoyment for Rock and Roll. Perhaps, this symbolizes the genre transcending time and age, more so with the use of Tom Newman, (a legendary record producer) performing as an ageing rocker with his band July. My deduction from the lyrics of the song performed is, it forms part of the narrative of the film, e.g. the line ‘regeneration of my generation’ being a catchphrase.

The director uses elements to help in the telling of the story. As the couple drive away from the beach, three cars follow them, they flicker their lights and this shows they know each other and probably heading the same way. The lighting at the rave is mellow, red and tends to recreate the ‘old school’ disco halls that the old timers were used to. This includes the disco bulb that seems prevalent in important scenes; a note is attached to it with a message about their next rave.

It is inferred that the old couple (Dick Tobin and Barbara Seery) are more excited about this rave as compared to the boring and ordinary moments spent on a beach that has little activity. In fact, they interact directly at the dance floor than at the beach. As it turns out, raves by old people are not that different from the ones young people go to, same things apply… secrecy, ambiguity and the objective is always to have fun. This short film could be for the amusement of people who value such pleasures as dance, and may just be an idea for prospective old rock and rollers.

***

The Day Trippers is #ROFFEKEOFFICIALSELECTION2015