Tiffany Scott
Executive Business Manager
“The Upside,” although slightly cliche, succeeds in providing an entertaining, laugh-filled experience for viewers.
The film was directed by Neil Burger and written by Jon Hartmere. The movie is a spin-off of the French film, “Les Intouchables” (2011) and is based off of the true story of a wealthy, white disabled man and a black ex-convict who became his unlikely caregiver.
Kevin Hart stars as Dell, a recently paroled ex-convict in search for a job. He manages to land a position as the caregiver of a paraplegic billionaire named Philip. Dell is clearly unqualified for the job but Phillip likes his honest attitude in comparison to the other “dry”, polite candidates. As Dell learns to appreciate his new job, pulling him out of his old felon ways, Philip learns to loosen up and get over the death of his wife.
Even if it is based off of a true story, the set-up of a wealthy, white man hiring a black parolee to make him chuckle is slightly offensive. However, there is something so enthralling about Dell and Philip’s relationship that viewers are able to look past it. Much of this is due to the charisma of Hart and the sharp wit of Cranston, who, though only confined to facial expressions, provides humor with just a few reaction shots.
Cranston is able to convey his character’s stoicism and pain in a plain lift of an eyebrow or a wry smile. His performance seems to have encouraged Hart to dial down his usual liveliness. There is a sense of quick comical improvisation in some of his scenes but there is also a lot of heart and effort to make his character and his relationships convincing. Hart and Cranston work well together and have great on-screen chemistry.
On the downside, the director did little to change the plot from the original film. They have managed to put in more jokes, but otherwise they have simply changed locations — from Paris to Manhattan and kept the same stereotypical vision of an unemployed black ex-convict showing an old millionaire paraplegic how to get his life back.
Though Dell’s redemption story is slightly cliche, his quick humor and comical personality makes it so that you tend to overlook it. In some scenes, it feels like Cranston is trying his best not to laugh when Hart delivers a line, and those moments prove more alluring than the film’s attempts to warm our hearts.
Compared to the glossy style of the French version, Burger gave this film an edgy approach, with a certain grittiness that was absent from the original. The film does well to combine hilarious and sentimental aspects, making for an overall solid film.
Released on Jan. 11, “the Upside” is rated PG-13 and can be seen in theaters worldwide.
Leave a Reply