When a film is built on a real-life bond, it runs a heavy risk of drowning in sentimentality. You've probably seen dozens of movies that try to manufacture tears by pairing an elite, wealthy protagonist with a sharp-witted underdog. The Upside, released in 2017, tackles this exact trope. Directed by Neil Burger, it's an American remake of the massive French hit The Intouchables (2011), which itself adapts the real-life memoir You Changed My Life by Abdel Sellou.
At its core, this movie examines how stubborn human connection punches through isolation. It isn't just a lightweight comedy or a standard melodrama. It's a character study about two men stranded in their own personal traps—one physically bound to a wheelchair, the other emotionally locked out of steady employment and family stability. If you're wondering whether the film holds up, what changed from the source material, or how the central performances land, this breakdown cuts straight through the noise.
The Premise and Character Dynamics
The story kicks off when Phillip Lacasse (played by Bryan Cranston), a multi-millionaire quadriplegic living in a sprawling Manhattan penthouse, needs a new caretaker. Enter Dell Scott (played by Kevin Hart), a man on parole who only showed up to get a signature for his probation officer to prove he's looking for work. Instead of hiring an experienced medical professional, Phillip hires Dell on a whim. Dell doesn't treat Phillip like fragile porcelain. That rough edge is exactly what Phillip needs.
Most cinematic caretaker dynamics fall into predictable patterns of quiet pity. This film avoids that trap by letting Dell bring chaotic energy into a sterile, silent home. Cranston does heavy lifting through micro-expressions and vocal cadence, conveying frustration without physical movement. Hart steps out of his typical frantic comedic zone to anchor Dell with genuine grounded weariness.
The chemistry works because their banter isn't just punchlines. It's built on mutual stubbornness. Phillip is tired of people treating him like an invalid or an object of inspiration. Dell is tired of doors slamming in his face because of his criminal record. When Dell pushes Phillip's wheelchair too fast or forces him to listen to Aretha Franklin on vinyl, you see a genuine thawing of icy isolation.
The Real-Life Inspiration: Fact Versus Fiction
It's impossible to discuss this movie without looking at its origins. The narrative follows the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Abdel Sellou, though the American adaptation shifts the setting from Paris to New York and changes character names. In reality, Abdel was an Algerian immigrant, whereas Dell is an African American ex-convict from the Bronx.
Hollywood adaptations often sanitize true stories to make them more digestible for general audiences, and The Upside is no exception. Some critics argued that the American version sanded down the gritty edges of the original French film. For instance, the original The Intouchables leaned heavier into the stark cultural friction of Paris housing projects versus wealthy aristocracy. The 2017 American version leans more into standard studio comedy beats, smoothing out complex socio-economic tensions into palatable buddy-comedy sequences.
Even with those Hollywood adjustments, the emotional core stays intact. Pozzo di Borgo and Sellou remained lifelong friends long after their formal caretaking days ended, moving to neighboring towns in North Africa to raise their families together. Knowing that historical anchor helps elevate scenes that might otherwise feel like standard scriptwriting shortcuts.
Key Themes Explored Beyond Kindness
While summaries often reduce the film to a simple message about kindness, the text operates on sharper thematic levels.
Dignity Versus Pity
The most striking conflict in the film isn't financial or legal; it's psychological. Phillip doesn't want sympathy. When people walk on eggshells around him, it reinforces his captivity. Dell's abrasive humor restores Phillip's agency because Dell treats him like a peer who happens to be paralyzed, rather than a medical patient on display.
Breaking Generational Stagnation
Dell's arc focuses on his estranged relationship with his ex-wife Latrice and his son Anthony. Watching Phillip navigate wealth and culture indirectly gives Dell a framework for self-improvement. He starts reading, learns about fine art, and manages his money better. The relationship is entirely reciprocal: Phillip gets his spark for living back, while Dell gets a blueprint for upward mobility.
Common Criticisms and Where the Film Falters
No movie is bulletproof, and The Upside drew plenty of scrutiny upon its release. Understanding these missteps helps explain why opinions on the film vary wildly.
- Predictable Narrative Beats: If you've seen a buddy comedy or an inspirational drama, you can predict almost every plot twist by the thirty-minute mark. There are no major narrative surprises.
- Tone Shifts: The movie occasionally stumbles when trying to balance slapstick physical comedy (such as an early scene involving a catheter malfunction) with heavy dramatic themes regarding chronic pain and depression.
- Safe Direction: Neil Burger directs with a clean, commercial sheen that occasionally robs the story of gritty realism. New York City looks like a glossy postcard rather than a lived-in metropolis.
For more details on production history and distribution challenges, you can check the Internet Movie Database entry for The Upside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Upside a shot-for-shot remake of The Intouchables?
No. While it follows the same basic plot and character arcs, it shifts the setting to New York, adapts the cultural references for an American audience, and alters the comedic pacing to fit its lead actors.
Did the real-life Philippe and Abdel stay in touch?
Yes. The real men maintained a remarkably close bond for decades, visiting each other frequently and investing in joint business ventures. Their real-life dynamic inspired multiple international adaptations beyond just the French and American versions.
What rating does the film carry and is it family-friendly?
The film is rated PG-13 for language and some suggestive content. While it lacks explicit violence, it features mature thematic elements concerning depression, physical disability, and criminal pasts that make it better suited for teenagers and adults.
Why was the release of the film delayed?
The film completed production under Weinstein Company subsidiary TWC-Dimension in 2017. Following major industry scandals surrounding Harvey Weinstein, release plans stalled indefinitely until STXfilms and Lantern Entertainment acquired distribution rights and finally pushed it to theaters in January 2019. You can read more about industry distribution shifts through Variety reporting on film acquisitions.
