Review: The Upside

Based on the hugely popular 2011 French film, The Intouchables, itself inspired by the true story of businessman Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his French-Algerian caretaker Abdel Sellou, The Upside is neither here nor there. It has its moments, but is hampered by a relatively one-note script from Jon Hartmere and an odd lack of narrative propulsion.

It at least features terrific chemistry between leads Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart, who nearly succeed in elevating proceedings as the film ambles to its predestined happy ending. Hart is Dell, recently released from prison and trying to make amends with his estranged girlfriend and son. Whilst half-heartedly collecting signatures from potential employees to appease his parole officer, he accidentally stumbles into a job interview for a caretaker position for multimillionaire businessman Philip (Cranston), who was left a paraplegic after a paragliding accident. Despite the objections of his longtime assistant and obvious romantic interest Yvonne (a woefully underused Nicole Kidman), Philip decides to hire the supremely unqualified Dell to be his 24-hour caretaker.

For Dell, the job certainly has its perks, one being that he can call Philip's lavish penthouse his new home and the other being a generous salary. On the flip side, he does have to make sure that Philip is fed, his catheter changed, and that any other needs are met with the ever-worried and strict Yvonne keeping a close eye on things. Naturally, the two men warm to one another. Philip introduces Dell to opera, whilst Dell teaches him about soul music. Philip advises Dell to work on his business plan, whilst Dell convinces Philip, who is also still mourning the loss of his beloved wife, that he does have a reason to go on living.

The Upside does traffic in the kind of simplistic racial politics for which Green Book, a similar tale with a race reversal, has been criticised. Unlike Green Book, which finds new ways of refreshing old cliches, The Upside is very much entrenched in those tired tropes, which makes them all the more glaring. Nevertheless, one can't deny the pleasing rapport between Cranston and Hart, both of whom seem to be genuinely enjoying each other's company. The direction from Neil Burger, who hasn't made a truly noteworthy film since 2006's The Illusionist, is serviceable at best.

The Upside

Directed by: Neil Burger

Written by: Jon Hartmere; based on the screenplay The Intouchables by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, Nicole Kidman, Genevieve Angelson, Aja Naomi King, Julianna Margulies, Tate Donovan, Golshifteh Farahani