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The Guilt Trip

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Rent The Guilt Trip on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand have enough chemistry to drive a solidly assembled comedy; unfortunately, The Guilt Trip has a lemon of a script and is perilously low on comedic fuel.

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Anne Fletcher

Barbra Streisand

Joyce Brewster

Andy Brewster

Brett Cullen

Colin Hanks

Andrew Margolis Jr.

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Movie Review

On the Road, With Their Baggage

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By Stephen Holden

• Dec. 18, 2012

Contrary to what the title and casting might suggest, the Barbra Streisand-Seth Rogen comedy, “The Guilt Trip,” is not “The Shrew and the Cringing Meatball.” There are no screaming accusations, no threats or recriminations, no tearful apologies in this amiable mother-son road odyssey.

The guilt that Ms. Streisand’s character, Joyce Brewster, lays on her grown son, Andy (Mr. Rogen), a struggling inventor, is larded with enough sweetness and awareness of appropriate boundaries that its humor caresses rather than stings. Joyce’s complaints mostly have to do with Andy’s decision to live 3,000 miles away from her in Los Angeles. When his mother becomes overbearing, Andy, sucking in his lower lip, politely silences her. Joyce, even at her most psychologically invasive, never whines or raises her voice.

Directed by Anne Fletcher (“The Proposal,” “27 Dresses”) from a pallid screenplay by Dan Fogelman (“Crazy, Stupid, Love”), “The Guilt Trip” is so comfy cozy that mothers and their grown children can watch it together without squirming. Even Joyce’s recollection of the time Andy’s penis turned purple is a zany throwaway remark delivered without a trace of Freudian insinuation.

What could have been a cutting satirical farce about domineering mothers and emasculated sons is a mildly funny, feel-good love story in which Mom’s sensible advice helps turn around her nerdy son’s foundering career. Although the main characters are softened Jewish stereotypes, there is no mention of religion.

Andy, who studied organic chemistry at U.C.L.A., is traveling around the country pitching an organic cleaning product he invented that consists of coconut and palm-kernel oils, and soy. You can even drink it. But his presentations are so stiff and jargony that potential backers nod off while he is talking.

When Andy makes a rare visit to see Joyce in New Jersey, he and his mother begin reminiscing. Joyce remembers her first boyfriend before she married Andy’s father, who died when Andy was 8. She has since had no love life.

Andy, sleuthing on the Internet, discovers an unmarried corporate executive living in San Francisco who has the same name as that boyfriend. He invites his mother to join him on his eight-day cross-country return trip without telling her of his plan to look up her first love at the end of the journey. Joyce, not knowing his agenda, jumps at the opportunity to be with her only child for several days.

One bland running joke is Joyce’s obsessive thrift. She insists that they rent a subcompact car instead of an S.U.V., a decision he regrets when they find themselves sandwiched between trucks in an Arkansas blizzard. Joyce also insists that they share the same room in motels and disturbs him with her habit of crunching handfuls of M&Ms while in bed. Since Ms. Streisand , now 70, looks 20 years younger, it is not implausible when one leering motel clerk mistakes them for lovers. But the movie makes little of the confusion.

Joyce is frisky and game for adventure, and in a Lubbock, Tex., steakhouse she agrees to play beat the clock while consuming a 50-ounce steak. This challenge, which could have been milked for farce, is another missed comic opportunity in a movie so timid it seems afraid of its own shadow. The chief pleasures of this mild-mannered dud lie in watching two resourceful comic actors go through their paces like the pros they are.

“The Guilt Trip” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). It has mild innuendo and some strong language.

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I need your help to find the ones who did this. I’ve got nothing to lose.

I could hear the whole tune in my head. It was all there.

“Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen are the perfect comedy duo"* as they embark on one mother of a road trip! The plan for a quick stop at Mom’s takes a sudden turn when an impulse compels Andy (Seth Rogen) to invite his mother, Joyce (Barbra Streisand), on an 8-day, 3,000 mile, journey across the country. But the farther they go, the closer they get and Andy may realize that they have more in common than he ever imagined.   *Jake Hamilton, FOX-TV

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Summary An inventor and his mom hit the road together so he can sell his latest invention.

Directed By : Anne Fletcher

Written By : Dan Fogelman, Jason Conzelman

The Guilt Trip

Where to watch.

Barbra Streisand

Joyce brewster.

Andrew Brewster

Julene renee, k-mart receptionist, zabryna guevara, k-mart executive, robert curtis brown.

Kathy Najimy

Miriam Margolyes

Mature Singles Man

Vivian vanderwerd, mature singles woman, vicki goldsmith, young joyce, matthew levinson, toddler andy, joseph levinson, kevin o'keefe, budget car renter.

Rick Gonzalez

Jeff witzke, middlesex voice over.

Casey Wilson

OSH Executive

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The Guilt Trip

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Barbra Streisand

Joyce Brewster

Brett Cullen

Man (Ben Graw)

Colin Hanks

Andrew Margolis Jr.

• Average 5.1
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The Guilt Trip – review

W hat's the word for a mom-son relationship comedy? An Oedmance? A Freudcom? Well, there's a strange lack of laughs with this one, an all-round shortfall in charm. From the outset, the movie attempts to stake a clumsy and unearned claim on our willingness both to laugh and to shed an indulgent tear. Seth Rogen plays Andy, a single guy who is forever being hassled by his overfond widowed mom, played by Barbra Streisand . Their sub-Woody Allenish relationship is bland and unfunny; the Jewish stereotype is coyly hinted at but never made explicit. Andy is an entrepreneur who has invented a new form of eco-conscious cleaning fluid, and now has to go on the road trying to sell it to various companies. But here is where the very premise of the movie – enshrined in the title – fails to stack up. The idea is that he is "guilt-tripped" into letting his feisty mom come along for the ride. Yet however domineering, she never seems pathetic or lonely or even all that interested in coming along (that sad part of her character naturally has to be delayed until later in the story), so his decision to invite her is basically unconvincing. What we're left with is a bafflingly dull road movie. Maybe Alexander Payne could have done something with this.

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I'm a working mom who enjoys solo travel. I've learned how to keep myself from spiraling into mom guilt while I'm away.

I'm  a working mom who incorporates solo trips into my business travel.

I love traveling as a family, but, at times, I miss the spontaneity and flexibility of solo travel.

To minimize mom guilt, I speak with my son about trips before leaving and ensure his schedule stays the same.

My 6-year-old looked at me as I stood by the door, suitcase in hand, before leaving home for a weeklong business trip to the other side of the world. He walked over, held my hand, and said, "Why are you going away for so long? I'm going to miss you a billion trillion times."

My heart skipped a beat, and my not-so-new best friend, "mom guilt," walked through the door. I felt like it would stay with me for the entire trip. Still, I gave my son a big hug and walked out the door.

I have always enjoyed exploring new places. The thought of boarding a flight brings a big smile to my face. Unlike many people who hate the idea of work travel, I enjoy it. I love checking into a hotel, going to the gym or taking a dip in the pool, grabbing a local coffee on my way to work, going for walking meetings , and exploring the city.

My husband is also an enthusiastic traveler, and together, we have explored the world far and wide. Since my son was born, we've focused on getting him used to traveling. We took him on a 10-hour flight when he was 4 months old, took 30 flights before he turned 2 , and have taken him to nearly 20 countries. It's already clear that the travel bug has bitten him too.

But while traveling with children is fun, I missed the spontaneity and the flexibility of solo travel . You can stay wherever you want, eat what you like, and explore the city without worrying about pushing a stroller, managing bedtimes, or keeping a close watch on your child in an overcrowded area. I also loved how I could sleep past 6 a.m.

A packed working-parent schedule doesn't allow for many solo travel opportunities, but work trips are my way of relishing in something I enjoy.

Moms need to stop feeling guilty

Working moms have long suffered the guilt of not being able to spend enough time with their children. A study conducted by the British Psychological Society in 2022 found that gender stereotypes can predict the levels of guilt that working parents feel, with working mothers feeling higher levels of guilt compared to working fathers.

Another study, conducted by Pew Research in 2015 , showed that children's academic and emotional well-being is not contingent on the time they spend with their mothers.

As a working parent who loves to travel, the feeling is all too familiar. The guilt gets exacerbated when friends and family often look at me with surprise and ask how my child is managing without me. No one asks me that question when my husband is away on business — but that's another conversation for another essay.

I decided to give my guilt structure

After adding more extra days on business trips, I realized how liberating it was to travel alone.

I first tried solo travel while planning a business trip a few years ago. After a week of meetings in New York, I stayed for an extra night and treated myself to a glass of wine at the One World Observatory in downtown Manhattan. I just sat there, swirling my glass and watching the world go by. The sense of calmness was a feeling I rarely find as a working mom, and I loved it.

Over the years, I've stopped by the Great Wall on a trip to China, popped into the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and spent a weekend exploring Angkor Wat, a temple in Cambodia, after a week of meetings in Singapore.

I have learned to handle and even bounce back from my mom guilt spirals.

Here are some steps that helped me deal with the guilt.

1. Lean on your partner or family for support

I can't help but think of the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." It does.

Lean on your partner — or friends and family — for support while you are away. They can help you stay connected with your children, reason if your child is upset, and help you be an important part of your child's schedule even when you are in a different time zone.

2. Talk about your travel with your child

Let your child know how excited you are about an adventure. Before you hop on the plane, show them pictures or YouTube videos of where you are traveling.

My son knows how much my husband and I love traveling and is very engaged when I talk to him ahead of a solo trip. We talk about the city, the stories behind it, the food, and the people — and he even requests what souvenirs to bring back.

For example, before my trip to China last year, my son and I discussed the Great Wall and how it was built. He was fascinated and asked me to send him pictures throughout the trip, which helped ease my guilt.

3. Follow your child's schedule

I've found that my son feels more confident and comfortable when his day is predictable and familiar. Ensure that whoever is looking after your child follows their set routine; children thrive in a routine .

Identify the times during the day when they need you the most and plug into their daily routine with Facetime and video calls. It may not be the same as being there in person, but it likely makes them feel comfortable knowing you're just a phone call away.

Time zones can make coordinating schedules tricky — bedtime can come when I'm in the middle of a meeting — so I schedule voice notes, pictures, and videos. I'll even send my husband detailed voice notes to play to our son before he goes to sleep. The bonus is I wake up to some adorable voice notes that are a great start to the day.

4. Walk the guilt away

Despite doing all of the above, the guilt still sneaks in occasionally. So I immediately go out for a quick walk to clear my head .

I remind myself this may feel tough, but I am teaching my son the importance of leaning into your interests and passions. I am also teaching him that his parents may travel for work, but he'll always have a support system back at home.

It's not easy, and sometimes it feels like moving mountains, but the thrill of exploring a new place and the tiny cuddles at the end of the trip make the journey worthwhile.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Advice | Harriette Cole: I want these surprise roommates…

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Advice | delaine eastin, first woman to serve as california’s superintendent of public instruction, dead at 76, advice | harriette cole: i want these surprise roommates gone. am i being unreasonable, i let my cousin move in, and all of a sudden we have 7 people in a 2-room apartment.

DEAR HARRIETTE : My cousin “Sheila” agreed to split the rent with me when she moved into my apartment, with me covering the entire deposit.

I am a person with a physical disability and constant need of a wheelchair, so the limited space in the common area is already a challenge. Despite this, Sheila unexpectedly brought her mother, her mother’s child and her brother to stay in the apartment.

I explained that they could stay temporarily but would need to find alternative accommodation due to the cramped living conditions. However, Sheila has not made arrangements for them to leave and is now trying to guilt-trip me by stating that they are family.

Am I being unreasonable in this situation?

— Renter’s Struggle

DEAR RENTER’S STRUGGLE : Now is the time for you to put your foot down. The longer she stays, the harder it will be for you to get her out.

Talk to your super to see if they can put pressure on her, too. Perhaps there are codes about how many people can live in a space in your building.

Do not give in to her guilt trip. She has tried to change the rules after moving in, which is unfair.

Make Sheila’s time uncomfortable while she is in your space so that you can get her out as soon as possible. Get your super to help you.

DEAR HARRIETTE : I’m a mother of twin daughters who are about to go on separate journeys as they head off to different colleges.

They’ve always been incredibly close — practically inseparable since birth. While I’m thrilled for their new academic adventures, I can’t shake off this overwhelming concern about how they’ll cope with being apart.

My daughters have relied on each other for support through thick and thin, and the mere thought of them navigating this pivotal chapter of their lives without each other is hard for me to imagine.

I understand the importance of independence and forging one’s own path, but I worry about the emotional toll it might take on them to suddenly be apart after spending their whole lives together.

How can I help them prepare for this separation and ensure they maintain their bond despite the physical distance?

— Disconnected

DEAR DISCONNECTED : You didn’t say why your twins are going to different schools, but it sounds like you are the one who is distraught about this.

Yes, this is hard for you, but do your best not to transfer your worries onto them. Give them space to figure out how to live on their own, make mistakes, and learn and grow from them.

Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to [email protected] or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

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What is the movie Smoke Signals about? Indigenous movie plot explored

Smoke Signals is director Chris Eyre's first feature film. It was the first Indigenous film written, directed, and performed by Indigenous actors. The 1998 comedy-drama was inspired by Sherman Alexie's short story collection, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1993).

The movie brought in around $7 million at the box office, and in 2018, it was even inducted into the National Film Registry.

Smoke Signals tells the tale of Native Americans' contemporary existence-a story that resonates with many contemporary adolescent Native Americans living on federal reservations. The film concerns the bond between a parent and son. It is about learning about who we are through our relationships with other people.

Everything you need to know about the plot of Smoke Signals

When Thomas was a little boy, Arnold saved him from a fire. Thomas thus began seeing Arnold as a hero. However, Victor, who is Arnold's son, is seen angry with his father for the latter's violent behavior, drinking, and his decision to desert his family.

The film kicks off when a fire begins amidst late-night festivities on July Fourth, 1976, when Victor and Thomas, who are still children at the time, are asleep.

With the assistance of Arnold, who is Victor's father (Gary Farmer), young Victor and his family manage to escape. Meanwhile, Thomas is the only member of his family to survive the fire - in a desperate attempt, his parents toss him out of a second-story window, and Victor's father ends up catching him.

Thomas thus begins seeing Arnold as his hero. However, the latter's relationship with his son and wife sours, causing his wife to throw him out of his house. Victor also begins resenting his father for not being mentally and emotionally available for his family.

Years later, Victor learns of his father's death, and is asked by his mother to collect Arnold's ashes. He lacks the financial means to make the trip, and his only hope is to seek out Thomas for help. Thomas agrees, but on one condition: he will also come along.

During the trip, the two boys learn from each other about Arnold, as together, they navigate the world, and themselves.

How are Thomas and Victor different from one another?

In the film Smoke Signals , Thomas and Victor are like fire and ashes. Through his tale, Thomas reveals himself as a quiet, wise youngster open to communicating and listening to others. In contrast, Victor's unpleasant demeanor and frequent outbursts reveal him to be a young man who experiences familial problems and difficulties with anger management.

Because he was left alone after his family perished in a fire, Thomas is associated with ash. Victor , however, is more like a fire in terms of personality. His father leaves him because he can't work out his differences with his family, which makes him irrationally angry and incapable of feeling empathy.

Symbolism in Smoke Signals

Arnold, Victor's father, wasn't an evil man - he was simply struggling with alcoholism. He flees to Phoenix, Arizona, feeling guilty about Thomas' parents dying in the fire. Here, the ashes, flames, and fire emblem aid in illustrating the characters' suffering. The significance of Phoenix , where Arnold relocates, stems from the legend of the bird that rises from the ashes.

The film Smoke Signals exemplifies the value of forgiveness and community. Native Americans consider the Phoenix a mythical bird that rises from the ashes, thus tying this symbol to the indigenous community.

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Should a 'Plus-Size' Pal Be Entitled to Larger Bed at Shared Vacation Home?

A Redditor asked if they should switch rooms with their “plus-size” friend after a random selection generator landed her in a twin bed at their vacation home

A Redditor questioned if their plus-sized friend was automatically entitled to a larger bed at their shared vacation home, prompting more than 600 comments about the way the friends chose their accommodations — and whether the size of the bed was really at the root of the argument.

A woman in her thirties shared that she was planning to rent a vacation home with four friends, all women in their thirties and forties. “We go every year, and always use a randomized selection tool to help us choose who gets which bedroom,” TooEmbarassed7 shared on Reddit’s popular subreddit AITA ( AmITheA------ ), where people post scenarios and let Redditors decide if they were i n the wrong .

She shared that everyone agreed to this arrangement; However, a problem arose when Marie, who she said is “plus-size,” ended up sharing a room which had two twin beds. That's when Marie asked privately “if we could switch places so she can have the queen-size bed.”

“Yeah, it sucks, but that’s why we leave it up to chance so nobody can complain,” the Redditor wrote, adding Marie is “not so big she can’t fit in a twin bed. I personally have lost over 100 lbs., and at my largest, was bigger than Marie is now. I never once asked to switch beds when I was bigger.”

When she told Marie she wouldn’t switch rooms, her friend “started crying and told me I was being unreasonable, and that I, of all people, should understand. I do understand, but it’s my vacation, too, and I’ve worked hard to be in a body I’m comfortable in. I don’t feel like I should give up my spot to accommodate her, when she can still fit in the twin bed.”

Once it was clear Marie and the other friend sharing a room would be paying less than those in the larger beds in single rooms, most commenters decided that Marie was in the wrong, and the Redditor was was “NTA” — or “Not the A—.”

“There's absolutely no cause for her to demand larger than a twin,” one of the top comments said.

Added another, “My 5-yr-old has a twin bed now and my 5'5" 360 lbs. a— can fit on it. (Sometimes his brother wants a nap companion. ) So no, no sympathy here!”

“You guys used the [randomized] thing to pick the rooms, it's not like y'all outright set out to upset her. She was fine with the prospect of getting the smaller bed, until she did,” added another commenter.

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While another agreed they were NTA, they added, “honestly this sounds like a system set up to cause problems.”

When several asked why they wouldn’t just rent a place with the same accommodations for everyone, the Redditor explained, “It’s just too expensive to rent a place that has 5 bedrooms with 5 queen-size beds.”

And as another pointed out, Marie should have asked one of the other women who got a queen bed to swap.

“The fact that you used to be big like her doesn’t mean you’re somehow obligated to accommodate her demand. She’s an AH for singling you out like that. She should ask the other 2 people who got queen-size beds if they’d be willing to switch,” wrote one commenter.

But as one comment pointed out, this was likely not about the size of the mattress.

“I don't think this is about the twin bed. I think this is about being forced to share a room,” MissFabulina wrote.

“Being larger leads to feeling judged for it. Especially when you have to share a room. Ultimately, you are not T A for not [switching] rooms. She did agree to the terms. But...why are you guys choosing such lodgings if no one wants to share a room? Don't do that anymore. Simple solution."