The Upside

Score:  A

Directed by Neil Burger
Starring Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman
Running time: 126 minutes
Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  The Upside, based on a true story, depicts the unlikely friendship that develops between a rich quadriplegic and his ex-convict caretaker.  Bryan Cranston unsurprisingly is excellent, but Kevin Hart is every bit as good for his part.  While there's not a lot new to cinema here (literally, as this is a remake), it's all done so well and is both emotionally honest and affecting as well as quite funny.  Highly recommended.


Dell (Hart) is a parolee struggling to get by and maintain ties with his wife and son.  When he sees an ad for a position in the home of Phillip Lacasse (Cranston), he decides to check it out, if only to show that he is trying to secure stable work.  Surprised to find an opulent penthouse and a line of other job seekers, Dell remains skeptical - yet is offered the job nonetheless.  Lacasse, a wealthy philanthropist, is a quadriplegic from an accident, and exasperates his loyal adviser Yvonne (Kidman) with his rash choice.  Despite wariness all around, Dell moves in with Phillip, helping him from breakfast in the morning through physical therapy, transportation, and more.  More than a marriage of convenience, however, Dell and Phillip are each desperate in their own ways, and begin to see that the other might just be who he needs to keep going.

The Upside has a small, intimate cast, as well-chosen individually as they mesh as a group.  Kevin Hart as Dell is one half of the lead in this film, though I'd say he just edges out Cranston as its true heart.  Hart, a tremendous comedic talent, gives the best acting performance I've seen from him.  He is as funny as ever, but within the confines of a truly well-developed character, one that is believable and sympathetic not just due to the script but also to Hart's nuanced acting.  Particularly early on, he has both a melancholy and self-serving manner that is so unlike his usual role yet so effectively and authentically played.  Of course, Dell's better qualities emerge later in the film, through his growing friendship with Phillip, and it's again a believable transformation as he embraces his better self.  Cranston is great, too, of course, as Phillip.  Most apparent is how he is able to act by moving only his head the entire time, impressively convincing about but not highlighting the role of his disability.  Phillip comes off as the altruistic, resilient, genial opposite of Dell to start but also shows his vulnerability, the cracks in the facade that occasionally burst forth in rage.  Nicole Kidman doesn't get a particularly deep part in the film's biggest supporting role, but still serves (unwittingly) as an important bridge between the leads, with a few nice moments of her own, too.  All the other parts are quite minor, with Julianna Margulies notably appearing briefly in a key scene as Phillip's date.

The Upside is a very strong drama thanks to performances that provide heart and humor to a good old-fashioned - and well-written - story.  Admittedly, there is not a lot that is new to this endeavor of an odd couple lifting each other up to become friends and realize their potential.  Fortunately, just about every element of it is done very well.  The performances were particularly vital here since it would have been easy for an actor in either of the lead roles to fall into cliche.  The script is also very strong: never cheesy or indulgent, instead quite smart while keeping the dialogue perfectly natural.  Instead of focusing on Phillip's disability, or Dell's criminal past, the emphasis is on the relationship between the two and the parts of themselves, long suppressed, that come to the surface.  Each man gets powerful individual scenes, from Phillip's struggles to reengage romantically to Dell's longing to connect with his son.  But it's when the two are together that the film reaches its highest heights, culminating in a scene that literally and figuratively allows the two to smash their frustrations, an unexpected scene both emotionally cathartic and funny.  And as authentic as the relationship and emotions are, there is plenty of humor, too.  Hart is much more subdued than usual but is still hilarious and gets to enjoy one of the most uproarious scenes, one involving a catheter.  Cranston also has a wicked sense of humor, and puts his dry, clever wit to work.  At just over two hours, the movie is about the perfect length and the pacing moves it along nicely without rushing.  It wisely avoids a huge, sprawlingly emotional finale, instead quietly setting Phillip and Dell on their way and allowing the journey itself to be the reward.

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The Upside is a great way to start 2019 at the theaters, a really strong film in the mold of a standard drama.  I am really bewildered by the overall critical reception, which gives it just a 39% on Rotten Tomatoes.  Perhaps some saw the French film original, The Intouchables (I have not), or others were disappointed that it didn't break new ground.  And there is certainly a role for creative new ideas in Hollywood, as I've said many times before.  But when everything about a film is as good and cohesive as is the case in The Upside, I don't know how you can look negatively on it.  Anyway, I advise you ignore them:  if you're looking for a heartfelt and/or funny and/or simply really good movie, I strongly recommend this.



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