Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston), a man of significant wealth, is left completely paralyzed following a hang gliding accident. His assistant, Yvonne Pendleton (Nicole Kidman), diligently seeks a suitable caregiver for Phillip, but struggles to find a qualified candidate. Enter Dell Scott (Kevin Hart), a recently released petty criminal. To Yvonne’s surprise and initial dismay, Phillip selects Dell as his assistant. Dell, who lacks any prior experience in caregiving, finds himself unexpectedly thrust into this role, leading to the development of an unlikely friendship between him and Phillip.
The emergence of an American remake of the acclaimed French film, En oväntad vänskap (The Intouchables) from 2011, was anticipated. However, the extent to which The Upside captures the emotional depth and entertainment value of its predecessor was a pleasant surprise. Director Neil Burger‘s assured direction is complemented by the exceptional chemistry between Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. While Bryan Cranston’s acting prowess is well-established, Kevin Hart’s successful navigation of a more serious role is particularly noteworthy.
While Mr. Hart’s previous roles have often leaned towards comedic performances, his portrayal of Dell Scott is genuinely compelling. Nicole Kidman consistently delivers strong performances, but in this instance, her character, Yvonne, occasionally appears somewhat rigid. A more nuanced development of Yvonne’s character, particularly in the lead-up to the film’s conclusion, would have been beneficial. Furthermore, a specific sequence involving crude humor feels somewhat out of place and could have been executed with greater finesse.
The Upside opens identically to the French original, featuring a car chase through the city, but subsequently diverges to carve its own narrative path. Given its basis in real events, the filmmakers are inherently limited in their creative liberties. Viewing the film in 4K via Amazon Prime is highly recommended, as the cinematography benefits significantly from the enhanced resolution, exhibiting rich colors and detailed blacks. However, the sound design is less sophisticated. A Dolby Atmos track, commonly found in 4K hardware, would have elevated the auditory experience. Currently, The Upside is not available in 4K on physical media, suggesting a somewhat understated release (as elaborated below). Consequently, those seeking a physical copy will need to opt for the Blu-ray edition. The Blu-ray’s picture quality lacks the detail of the 4K version, and the DTS HD sound, while adequate, offers little beyond functional performance. While not primarily effects-driven, enhanced audio definition during the car chase and flight sequences would have been a welcome addition.
The supplemental material is limited to a few deleted scenes and a blooper reel, diminishing the appeal of purchasing the Blu-ray edition, especially given the availability of a superior 4K streaming version.
The Upside was completed as early as 2017. However, due to the exposure of reprehensible conduct by one of the film’s twelve producers, Harvey Weinstein, the film’s release was significantly delayed. With the film’s eventual release in 2019, Weinstein’s name has been removed from the end credits and promotional materials, and his production company, The Weinstein Company, receives no mention (It is worth noting that Harvey Weinstein oversaw the acquisition and promotion of the French original during its Oscar campaign).
In conclusion, The Upside is an enjoyable film, although arguably a somewhat redundant remake, given the excellence of the French original. Despite this, I recommend The Upside as a worthwhile 4K streaming experience, characterized by strong acting performances.
