Philip is a disabled white billionaire, who feels that life is not worth living. To help him in his day to day routine, he hires Del, an African American parolee, trying to reconnect with his estranged wife. What begins as a professional relationship develops into a friendship as Del shows his grouchy charge that life is worth living.
THE UPSIDE is the American version of the 2011 French film THE INTOUCHABLES, and while the American take on the true story is not as good as the French counterpart; it still holds its own and entertains in its own right.
At first, it looks a little like every Kevin Hart movie, where he basically plays the same person over and over again, but quickly turns into a very warm and heartfelt movie with Hart really showing he can act. Cranston shines from the moment he is on camera, and he and Hart make a really believable pair. I loved Nicole Kidman in the role as Phillip’s associate, she was not a main focal point, but was awesome when she was on screen.
The script is fantastic, and I feel like this version kept the heart and soul of the story; there are moments you will laugh, and the next moment you will cry, and Cranston and Hart moved through the different emotions with ease.
I recommend THE UPSIDE, great storytelling.
Ian Lockhart
