UPDATED FILM REVIEW: Camila Mendes leads this peppy romantic comedy | Hollywood

Bollywood February 9, 2024

Updated Film Review: A rags-to-riches story where the central relationship is based on a white lie? We all know where this is headed. There’s no denying that romantic comedies in this day and age can be a difficult thing to do. However, Prime Video’s latest offering, Upgraded, overcomes the straightforward, romantic narrative tropes and leaps forward with confidence and charm. It’s one of those rare films that gets the context of its protagonist without losing touch with its priorities. Perhaps an updated The Devil Wears Prada, where friend is not the greatest enemy. A winning promotion for sure. (Also Read: Bhakshak movie review: Bhumi Pednekar plays a fearless journalist in a thrilling crime drama with powerful storytelling)

Hypothesis

Updated Movie Review: The romantic comedy is streaming on Prime Video

Riverdale alum Camila Mendes delivers a confident performance as Ana Santos, a struggling art curator working at the New York branch of a prestigious auction house. She’s penniless and on the brink, living with her sister Vivian (Aimee Carrero) and brother-in-law Ronnie (Andrew Schulz). At work, there’s Claire DuPont (an enjoyable performance from Marisa Tomei), who checks everyone from head to toe in order to discover a piece of dirt on her assistants. She’s not here to be nice, nor does she want to be.

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When Anna discovers a last-minute error in the auction catalog, Claire promotes her to third assistant. This means she has to follow her to London on an emergency business trip. First assistants Suzette (Rachel Matthews) and Rene (Fola Evans Akingbola) are there to make her suffer even more. However, luck is on Anna’s side as she obtains an “updated” ticket from a respected agent and gets handsome William (Archie Reno) as her seatmate. They click instantly, while Anna makes a white lie that she’s in Claire’s position, as director of Irwin’s New York office. In London, she meets William’s mother Catherine (Lena Olin), who is herself connected to the art world. From now on, it is Anna’s choice and balance between maintaining her double life that continues the journey.

Final thoughts

Cinderella’s journey, set in motion by Upgraded, works thanks to a smart, confident screenplay by Kristin Lehnig, Justin Matthews, and Luke Spencer Roberts. The writing is sharp and precise, sharply balancing the many loose threads in the second half. Although the predictable jump towards the end seems pretty safe by comparison, Upgraded never loses momentum up until that point.

However, Upgraded’s biggest draw is how cleverly it prioritizes Anna’s professional space over her romantic relationship. Although Mendes and Renaux have instantly likable chemistry in a film billed as a rom-com, Upgraded is more about Anna’s dynamic with Claire, or even with William’s mother to some extent. Ana’s agency is the core of the story, and Mendes builds it step by step, with enough charm and spirit.

Upgraded is sharp, highly entertaining, and most importantly, it knows what it wants to say. Anna makes mistakes, but director Carlson Young makes sure not to judge her too harshly or punish her for her choices. She can use the same strategies to regain her land. True advancement is realizing one’s self-worth, more than anything else.