STX Entertainment
The Intouchables is a French film that became a sensation in 2011 and went on to become France’s 2nd highest grossing film of all time, behind the 2008 film Welcome to the Sticks. The film starred Francois Cluzet, an aristocrat who became a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident, and Omar Sy, a young man from the projects who is hired to be his caregiver. The Weinstein Company had the rights to a remake and has now released an Americanized version of the film with Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart in the respective roles. Many Hollywood films are remakes of foreign films, like a recent one being Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn in 2013, which was a remake of the 2011 French-Canadian film Starbuck.
The Intouchables was a touching film with great chemistry so when I heard there was going to be an American version with Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart in the roles, I was excited. I am not too keen on remakes since they mostly feel like a cash grab, but the story was too sweet to not have another take at it. Although I think The Intouchables succeeds more at being emotional and the main leads have great chemistry, The Upside still managed to put a smile on my face.
Cranston and Hart find chemistry right away and they bring the best out of each other. Cranston and Hart are two completely different people in the film and their differences are what draws them together. Phil (Cranston) introduces Dell (Hart) to things he never would partake in like the opera and modern art. Dell has things that interest him as well that he tries to introduce Phil to. I found humor in these moments where both Phil and Dell try to understand each other’s lives. Their racial and class differences are put aside, and they can appreciate life. With Dell’s presence, Phil can move past his limited life in his penthouse in New York. Phil is only able to move his head, so he is controlled on what he can do. As Dell and Phil explore more to life than just sitting in a penthouse, happiness is brought out of the both that felt genuine and heartwarming.
Cranston and Hart… brought the best out of each other. tweet
When Kevin Hart first started starring in comedies I found his acting to be rather obnoxious, but as the years went by and he continued to make more movies, I didn’t mind him. He has always played the same kind of characters, but he is able to provide some dramatic moments in this movie to freshen up his performance. He still has moments where it is feels like a typical Kevin Hart role, but as he becomes more comfortable with Phil, he adds heart to the character in a touching way. Cranston’s career has exploded after his success in Breaking Bad, but I will always remember his as the goofy dad from Malcolm in the Middle. He can tap into that fun side when hanging around Dell and it was pleasant to watch.
When the scenes move past Phil and Dell, the movie loses its steam. Nicole Kidman plays Yvonne, a Harvard graduate who has decided to give up her career and look after Phil. A love connection between her and Phil ignites, but it happens too far into the movie for me to really care about it. There is also a story about Dell trying to reconnect with his ex-wife and son that never fully develops into something dramatic for the character.
The Upside did little to change the story from the French film, but I enjoyed Cranston and Hart’s chemistry and how they brought the best out of each other. That is what made the foreign film work so well and it is a formula for success that is brought over to America in a nice fashion.
The Upside has a run time of 2 hours 5 minutes and is rated PG-13 for suggestive content and drug use.
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