'The Upside': a remake with a downside?
'The Upside' is an American adaption of the 2011 French film 'The Intouchables' that gives a comedic look at the relationship between a wealthy paraplegic and an unemployed man with a criminal record who's hired to help him.
This adaption of 'The Intouchables' is the third iteration of the film - the second being Argentina's 'Inseparables' for Spanish speaking audiences in 2016.
Riddled with cliches and holding none of the magic, charm or chemistry between the protagonists, 'The Upside' grossly fails to deliver, even with a seemingly outstanding cast. Perhaps there is a heart to this film, but it's simply not clear enough for an audience to connect with.
It should be no surprise that this adaption of the original French film didn't see a wide release apart from its screening at the Austin, Aspen, and Toronto Film Festivals. The film was set for release in March 2018, but due to the Weinstein Company's acquisition of the English-speaking rights to the film (and Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault charges), 'The Upside' was left up in the air. Even with a release date hesitantly scheduled for early January 2019, the film was arguably an adaption that shouldn't have been made in the first place.
In terms of cinematic originality, it seems Hollywood is lacking in an abundance of original ideas. Now, the industry seems more concerned about making a 'quick buck' than formulating new ideas that captivate modern audiences.
In short, your time would be better spent watching the original French language film over this remake.
