Written and directed by Liz Wiest, Carl and Michelle are going to traverse the galaxy together…without leaving the comfort of Carl’s living room. Starring: Carleigh Spence and Michael A. Stahler.
When you enter Have a Safe Trip, you can quickly feel a nostalgic, 2000s romcom energy, both in the style and in the writing. Liz Wiest taps into that familiar awkwardness, and having mismatched personality types, as well as wearing its heart on its sleeve. Wiest builds a cute energy to the short, there’s a hint of naivety, nervousness and a good dollop of enthusiasm. It’s that classic match of the slightly nerdy guy and outgoing girl, and watching them find their middle ground.
Another element which definitely goes along with that 2000s vibe is the animation. It’s a great addition to Have a Safe Trip and brings a lot of personality and pushes the comedy more strongly. The initial sequence on the characters’ trip, without the animation work, isn’t as strong and it can be a bit slow to get going. Yet, when it starts threading the animation in more consistently, the tone and pacing improve.
The same could be said for the performances from Carleigh Spence and Michael A. Stahler, they need a minute or two to warm up but once they do, they have a solid chemistry. At first, Have a Safe Trip can feel a tad old fashioned in its tone, so the way they interact isn’t perfectly natural or free flowing, but as the characters lose their inhibitions, they build an endearing connection.
Have a Safe Trip is a sweet, nostalgic, cute romcom. The cinematography can feel a touch plain at times and the tone can come across slightly old-fashioned, but it has a big heart on its sleeve and some nice creative touches. Carleigh Spence and Michael A. Stahler create a convincing, charming connection as their characters enjoyably veer out of reality. Not every choice may work perfectly but for Liz Wiest’s directorial debut, this is a solid, entertaining outing.
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