Land Ho! could be described as an older version of the Trip series (The Trip, Trip to Italy); replacing the fictionalized versions of British celebrities Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon with two ex-brother in-laws, one an Austrian sophisticate whose recently lost his wife (Paul Eenhoorn) and the other a hard-accent, fun-loving American whose been forced into retirement (Earl Lynn Nelson). Such combination sounds more aligned with a love-hate sitcom of two opposing types, yet Land Ho!’s protagonists bicker surprisingly less than the Trip’s protagonists. There’s great chemistry between Colin (Austrian) and Mitch (American); acting less as love-hate friends and more close brothers who occasionally get on each other’s nerves. Another pleasant surprise is Land Ho!’s peaceful calm and serenity with its characters and atmosphere (which takes place in Iceland); the film’s modest budget works effectively to its advantage, focusing on the conversations between our protagonists alongside naturally gorgeous shots of Iceland’s remote landscape and mountain range.
I felt strangely nostalgic while watching, as if viewing a home video of people I know and care for. Colin and Mitch’s conversations are relatively straightforward (with the occasional serious talk about the problems of getting old) with the actors discussing all too realistically (the film was shot with specific cameras to better capture the duo’s natural mannerisms and reactions). When talking to strangers, Mitch acts precisely how a talkative tourist would, while the strangers react with kind (yet distantly understandable) responses. I’m surprised at how well such realism worked, but work it does, and I couldn't help but smile, and cheer, and laugh, and feel happy for the duo onscreen. The film is full of delightfully humorous scenes, such as when Mitch goes out to buy beer, only to find out its 2% alcohol (which results in him dejectedly exclaiming “balls!”), or when they go to a museum where Colin sees artistic undertones within a female portrait while Mitch can only see perfect boobs. Land Ho!’s true gift however is its heartwarming sentiment, such as when Mitch and Colin are playfully dancing on a beach, acting like rambunctious teenagers, or when Mitch gets freaked out about their hotel (after hearing a horror story) and has to sleep with the lights on next to Colin (he luckily brings enough pot for Colin to endure such immaturity). Land Ho! is a must see for those who enjoy the Trip series, and while it’s perhaps not as great as the original Trip, it slightly edges out Trip to Italy as the best buddy road trip film of 2014.
