What Is the Story About?
Ana is a budding artist working at an auction house in New York, staying with her sister and brother-in-law. She has to deal with a snotty boss Claire at work and unexpectedly needs to assist her at an auction to be held in London. She bumps into a Britisher William on her flight and impersonates her boss to score brownie points. How do their personal and professional worlds collide?
Performances?
Camila Mendes, safe to be labelled a ‘rom-com’ specialist, is perfectly cast as a Floridan woman trying hard to find her way in New York’s art fraternity. As someone who uncompromisingly tries to strike a balance between work, love and family, she is a natural on screen. Archie Renaux is every bit the sophisticated charmer the film wants him to be and he goes about his job effortlessly.
Marisa Tomei has the authoritative screen presence to be the stern, ambitious superior at work and Lena Olin’s infectious enthusiasm rubs onto her portrayal of Catherine. The supporting cast – comprising Anthony Head, Saoirse Monica Jackson, Rachel Matthews and others – complements the lead actors with assurance, staying true to the film’s ambience.
Analysis
While there’s every need to break new ground and challenge norms in cinema, one can’t deny the joy and familiarity of comfort food. As a viewer, you know what to expect from a cozy international romance centred on two opposites. The tropes are already set, the storytelling is as straightforward as it can get and on a hard day, it’s a relief to know that some things don’t change with time.
A London boy, born in an influential family, strives to carve his niche and a Floridan woman, who claims to be a nobody, wants to be something in the art fraternity. Romance blossoms as they meet over a night, there are a few cute little conflicts, lies tossed with bitchiness and elitist tantrums. Besides the happy ending, there’s an underdog victory too.
Upgraded, the title, may seem like a reference to the protagonist’s first class ticket, but also emphasises a woman climbing up the corporate ladder, even as the going gets tough. Before the storytelling gains steam in Carlson Young’s second directorial effort, she does quite a formidable job in portraying the hustle culture in New York, offering a glimpse of Ana’s toxic workspace and the incestuous art fraternity in the US and the UK.
The romance segments don’t do much to break away from stereotypes – the couple meets on a flight, bonds at a party, talks their heart out at a pub and ends the day with a warm goodnight kiss. The boy is a marketer by profession, but a football enthusiast, coaching a bunch of kids and the artsy, nerdy, workaholic girl is naturally charmed.
The film is more arresting when it deals with Ana’s professional pursuits and in typical ‘Emily in Paris’ style, she gets to see the humane side to a hostile boss over time and there’s appreciable sisterhood. Although there are a couple of stock characters to establish the ‘women are so mean to each other’ cliche, Upgraded is heartwarming in its portrayal of female camaraderie.
The conversations between Will’s mom Catherine and Ana (although sugary), where they find solace in each other’s company, are scripted well. The resolution of the conflict is a tad too simplistic in the final act. Upgraded’s main trouble is the absence of a strong challenge in Ana’s pursuits. It’s safe to say she has it too easy, both at work and love and the world dances to her tunes.
At just over 100 minutes, there’s not much to complain about its runtime. While you appreciate a storyteller’s conscious effort to make a staple rom-com through a female lens, you wish the emotional beats could’ve been less mechanical and formulaic. Upgraded is ideally tailored for OTT viewing. Keep your expectations at check and you won’t be disappointed.
Music and Other Departments?
Isom Innis’ score does just enough to ensure a warm fuzzy feeling by the end of the film, complementing its breezy mood and never overtaking the story. Mike Stern Sterzynski, the cinematographer, captures the best of both worlds – UK and the US – although one feels he’s slightly partial to London. The narrative is largely coherent, plays safe without subverting conventions.
Highlights?
Breezy storytelling
Emphasis on female camaraderie
Performances of Camila Mendes, Archie Renaux and others
Drawbacks?
Does little to flip stereotypes
The ‘mechanically’ structured emotional beats
Absence of a strong conflict and the overly convenient resolution
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, but with reservations
Will You Recommend It?
Only, if you keep your expectations at check and don’t seek anything beyond the obvious.
Upgraded Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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