The Upside (2019) * *

Directed by:  Neil Burger

Starring:  Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman, Aja Naomi King, Julianna Margulies

It is interesting to see Kevin Hart play a comic role with an edge.   He isn't playing the affable screw-up he usually plays.   No, he is playing a hardened screw-up who stumbles into a job as a caretaker for a quadriplegic billionaire.    The Upside contains strong work from the cast, and it is all in the service of a movie which doesn't go anywhere and isn't in too big of a hurry to go someplace even if it wanted to.  

We first meet Dell Scott (Hart) as a paroled ex-con desperate for work, or at least the appearance of looking for work.   He applies for the caretaking job, for which he is completely unqualified, but Phillip (Cranston), hires him anyway, against the objections of his uptight, stuffy assistant Yvonne (Kidman), for reasons hinted at but not made clear.    Dell screws up on the job at first, and even steals a book from Phillip's library to give to his estranged son as a gift.   But, of course, Dell grows into the role and is even able to change Phillip's catheter in a pinch in an elongated scene which is mostly buildup and little payoff. 

Dell is fighting to get back with his wife and son, who have had it up to here with him, but soon they warm up to him as he pays back the child support he owes and moves them from a crappy projects apartment to a nicer neighborhood.    Yvonne, who may or may not be secretly in love with Phillip, also warms up to Dell and learns to loosen up, or at least not look so uncomfortable in the stylish business attire she wears.    It is always good to see Nicole Kidman, a naturally beautiful and charismatic star, but what about this role intrigued her?    It is mostly one-note, with occasional peeks into her soul courtesy of that amazing smile she has, but the most fascinating thing about her performance is the fact that she is even in the movie.

Cranston is his usual dependable self as a man haunted by the death of his wife coinciding with his paralysis caused by a paragliding accident.    He has frequent nightmares, and is naturally unhappy with his fate.   He has money, possessions, and a posh Manhattan penthouse, but he needs to be assisted 24/7 and can't enter into any meaningful relationships with women because of his condition.    Of what good is having all the money in the world if you can't walk or feel anything below the neck? 

The Upside is supposed to be a tale about accepting the joys of life, yet it never soars.    It has a pall hanging over it which never allows us to embrace it.    We know the story (based on a true story for what it's worth) will predictably check all the boxes we expect as far as plot points and character development are concerned, but it runs over two hours and feels muted and deflated.   Is this the case of a comedian taking on a dramatic role in an attempt to gain awards season recognition, or will Kevin Hart expand his repertoire?    I guess we will see.   As far as the awards season stuff, Hart and company can stay in bed or go out jogging when any award nominations are announced.