Upgraded – Film Review

Upgraded, directed by the talented Carlson Young, is a conventional romantic comedy film with a fresh, relatable concept of the main character striving to achieve professional dreams while tackling an enthralling romantic life.

The protagonist, Ana, is portrayed brilliantly by the charismatic Camila Mendes, known for her performance in the popular television series Riverdale. Mendes manages to capture Ana’s ambitious nature perfectly. Archie Renaux, the male lead playing Will, delivers a satisfactory performance with his heart-melting charisma and elegance. The chemistry between Ana and Will, however, is somewhat flat and often feels forced. There is a certain lack of deep, meaningful exchanges between them, which fails to forge a heartfelt connection with the audience.

The ever-gorgeous Marisa Tomei, starring as Ana’s strict and demanding boss Claire, showcases her character brilliantly. The execution of Claire’s tough exterior is fantastic, yet we lack a thorough exploration of her inner depths. Meanwhile, Lena Olin does justice to the character Catherine, and Anthony Head appears effective as Julian Marx.

Young showcases his promising potential with his unique way of storytelling, transforming a somewhat predictable script into a fairly engaging watch. Some of the situations feel forced to push the story forward rather than flowing organically. However, his style of merging drama with humor offers delightful comic relief, despite being hit-and-miss at times.

There are notable instances of great cinematic photography throughout the film. There is good use of vibrant and warm tones that build the right ambiance. But there are times when the pacing seems off and certain scenes felt dragged out or, conversely, too hastily resolved.

The plot offers interesting insights into the art world, intertwining this backdrop well with Ana’s romantic journey. The struggle between pursuing dreams and seeking love serves as a fundamental theme of the movie, adding to its appeal. Despite the conventional pretend to be someone you’re not narrative, it doesn’t leave viewers with a memorable plot twist or thought-provoking storyline.

Although Upgraded does delve into a socio-economic class conflict by situating Ana, an ambitious intern, among high-class society, it merely scrapes the surface. There are several moments where the plot could be deeper, where the layers of these characters could be further unfolded, which might have provided a profound societal commentary. This was a missed opportunity.

Despite its promising potential, the dialogue in Upgraded sometimes fails to spark interest and fails to further any character development. Often times, they feel stilted and prevent the storyline from flourishing to its full capacity.

Nonetheless, the film serves as an easy-going, feel-good experience. A sprinkle of laughs here and there coupled with aesthetically pleasing art scenes, this is the perfect watch if you are not looking for anything too intense or heavy.

Upgraded succeeds in setting up a relatable and modern rom-com but leaves the audience desiring more depth. Although it brings laughs and maintains an enjoyable atmosphere throughout, the story progression could be sharper and more seamless.

While the film might not have quite ‘upgraded’ the romantic comedy genre, it certainly serves as an enjoyable weekend watch and a significant step in Carlson Young’s budding directorial career.

Upgraded falls just short of its potential with its script, and despite some standout performances, its predictable story arc and forced romantic subplot makes for a comfortable yet forgettable viewing experience.