The Upside(2019)
STX Entertainment Jan 11, 2019
A comedic look at the relationship between a wealthy man with quadriplegia and an unemployed man with a criminal record who's hired to help him.
Release Details
Original Release | Jan 11, 2019 | Wide
Box Office Results
2025-01-31T11:52:37.632Z
Results
$20,355,000
$108,252,517
$17,603,663
$125,856,180
Current Showtimes
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Technical Specifications
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Other Details
Country of Origin: United States
Language: English,German,Italian
Summaries
Plot Summary
- Speeding through New York City in a Ferrari, Dell Scott (Kevin Hart) and Philip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston) are pulled over by the police for driving out of lane and breaking several traffic lights. Dell says that Philip is a Quadriplegic and hence cannot get out of the car. Dell convinces the officers that he is rushing Philip to the emergency room as he is having a seizure. Philip grudgingly plays along, and the two are escorted to the hospital.Six months earlier, the recently paroled Dell is ordered to obtain signatures to prove he is seeking a job. Unless he can get the signatures, he goes back to prison. Dell needs 3 signatures in less than a day, else he will face court again.Dell visits various workplaces, including the penthouse home of Philip, a wealthy quadriplegic. Philip, with his assistant Yvonne Pendleton (Nicole Kidman), is interviewing candidates for the position of his "life auxiliary" caregiver. Yvonne is an experience and efficient assistant but finds herself overwhelmed in emergencies. Philip has repeatedly told Yvonne that no extraordinary measures be taken in case of situations that are life threatening to him. Yvonne takes Philip around in a large van that is custom built for his needs. Philip was a successful author back in the day.Several candidates have arrived at the penthouse for the position. While waiting for his turn, Dell starts to explore the penthouse and steals a book from Philip's personal library. Tired of waiting for his turn, Dell barges in and demands a signature for his parole officer. Dell says that his Parole Officer needs the signature to be convinced that he is looking for a job. Dell is very blunt, does not treat Philip with any kind of pity of deference and even jokes with him about his condition.Intrigued, Philip offers him the job, but Dell declines. Dell doesn't even know what the job is about. Dell says that he does not want to be anybody's servant. Philip asks him to think over the offer overnight and respond the following morning. Philip says that if Dell still refuses, then he will sign the papers.Dell visits his ex-wife Latrice (Aja Naomi King) and son Anthony (Jahi Di'Allo Winston) at their dilapidated apartment, but neither is interested in Dell rejoining their lives. Anthony is disappointed with Dell as he never keeps his promises. Dell gives Anthony a book stolen from Philip's library as his Birthday gift.Desperate to turn his life around, Dell accepts the well-paying position of Philip's live-in caregiver, for which Yvonne establishes a "three strikes" rule. Yvonne hints that the reason Philip picked Dell was because he was the worst candidate and that Philip (who had lost the will to live), thought he would die sooner from a medical complication if Dell was around not knowing what to do in an emergency.Dell is daunted by his new responsibilities, despite guidance from Philip's physical therapist Maggie (Golshifteh Farahani), and balks at changing Philip's catheter, earning "strike one" from Yvonne. Dell learns the book he stole was a gift to Philip from his late wife. Dell informs Latrice of his new job and gives her his first paycheck; he asks for the book, but she tells him to do his own dirty work. Yvonne summons Dell back to Philip's home and declares his absence "strike three," but Philip covers for Dell.Dell refuses to take Philip around town in his drab van and uses his plethora of super cars to bring some zest back into his life. Philip tells Dell that he collects first edition author signed books as they were a gift from his dead wife. Dell realizes that the book he gave Anthony was one of those gifts.Philip's strict Do Not Resuscitate order is put to the test when Dell finds him suffocating and helps him breathe. Dell takes Philip out into the city, where they share a joint to ease Philip's Neurogenic pain. Philip reveals that his wife Jenny (Genevieve Angelson) was killed by Cancer & he had an paragliding accident that left him immobile. The pair begin to bond and discuss Dell's business ideas. Dell adjusts to caring for Philip, even modifying his wheelchair, and is introduced to opera and modern art; he creates his own painting, which Philip displays in the penthouse.Dell suspects that Yvonne has feelings for Philip, but she assures him that Philip is in an epistolary relationship with a woman named Lily Foley (Julianna Margulies). They have never met or even spoken, corresponding only through letters. With Dell's encouragement, Philip leaves Lily a voicemail.Philip joins Dell as he takes Anthony out for the day. Everything goes well until Dell asks Anthony for the book back. Disappointed in his father, Anthony returns the book and leaves. Dell and Philip return home to a surprise birthday party Yvonne has organized for Philip against his wishes. He and Dell argue, leading to Dell smashing things for Philip's catharsis. Philip socializes at the party, and Dell even gets Yvonne to dance. Carter (Tate Donovan), a neighbor Philip hates, approaches him about Dell's criminal record, but Philip ignores him. Lily calls Philip, and they agree to have dinner.At the restaurant, Philip gives Dell $50,000 for his painting and to start his own business. Lily arrives, and Dell leaves Philip to his date. Lily is quietly overwhelmed and admits that the situation is not quite what she was expecting. Hurt, Philip returns home, where he lashes out and fires Dell.Time passes. Dell buys Latrice and Anthony a new home and starts a business building motorized wheelchairs. Maggie asks Dell to help Philip, who has gone through several caregivers and refuses to communicate, leading Yvonne to leave. Dell visits the depressed Philip and takes him for a drive, leading to the encounter with police. They flee the hospital and repair their friendship. Dell, having arranged for Philip to go paragliding again, is forced to join. Dell then brings Philip to meet Yvonne, leaving the two of them to reunite as he returns home to Latrice and Anthony.
Storyline
- Philip is a disabled billionaire, who feels that life is not worth living. To help him in his day-to-day routine, he hires Del, a parolee who is trying to reconnect with his estranged wife. What begins as a professional relationship develops into a friendship as Del shows his grouchy charge that life is worth living. — Tom Daly
