Nearly 20 minutes into Michael Winterbottom’s latest, “The Trip,” I was feeling worried. Labeled a laugh-out-loud comedy, the film instead felt more like a documentary of two British comedians playing things straight. Mercifully, the film saves itself with a fair share of chuckles, thanks to a handful of clever impersonations by the two leads. The very improvisational experiment, which was originally a six-episode television series and was trimmed down to a still somewhat overlong 111-minute film, works on some levels but fails on others. Real-life actor and comedian Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to take a road trip across the country to dine at the most glamorous restaurants and hotels. He pictures a glorious vacation with his lovely girlfriend, but things take a new turn when she heads back to the States and Coogan is forced to bring along his friend Rob Brydon, who also happens to be bane of his existence. Accomplished filmmaker Winterbottom has crafted a subtle and sometimes hilarious comedy, which should garner comparisons as a U.K. version of the Oscar-nominated “Sideways” — minus an actual story to follow, aside from a few plot reveals here and there. In what feels more like a documentary than an actual film, a style Winterbottom has tested the waters with previously in “9 Songs,” “The Trip” is for the most part a nice ride along two friends who seem to argue more than agree. The talented director also manages to capture breathtaking landscapes of European countryside throughout. Coogan, the more recognizable face on these shores, shares equal laughs with the lesser known Brydon as the yin to the other’s yang. Though often ridiculous, the two thespians make a perfect combination for some truly brilliant moments of dry humor. If not an outright comedy, “The Trip” can be seen as an intriguing piece of filmmaking about the bickering and rambling between two friends who also happen to be acclaimed comedians. While at times annoying, the film rarely bores thanks to its pitch-perfect lead performances. Even those not fans of British humor should still find things to enjoy in this nearly plotless but fairly harmless picture — though the film could have benefited from a shorter running time. The Trip opens July 8 at the Cedar Lee Theatre, located at 2163 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.