Commentary: ‘The Upside’ Reveals Why A Story About Life Is Hard To End

One of the foundational rules of dramatic storytelling: characters need an obstacle to overcome. There needs to be some sort of challenge for them, otherwise, a story could become boring or mundane. Stories typically end once that obstacle has been resolved. But some tales can also depict life and relationships that don’t necessarily have any problems. This is just people trying to better themselves in a way that’s reflective of the real world. Since life never ends, it’s hard for these stories to find a natural conclusion. Even given this difficulty, The Upside does its best to wrap things up.

Inspired by true events, the film is about a super wealthy paraplegic named Phillip (Bryan Cranston), who is in search of a life auxiliary — someone who will take care of them and cater to their every need on a daily basis. Through a chance circumstance, an ex-con named Dell (Kevin Hart) walks into an interview and leaves an impression on Phillip. He hires Dell for the job even though he is woefully unqualified. The two form an unlikely friendship and better their lives through their unique circumstances.

Despite the obstacles the two characters face because of Phillip’s condition, there is never a strict challenge for them to overcome. There’s no curing his paralysis, so that resolution is not an option. Instead, the story is just about life and the two characters moving through it. After a rift is formed between the two characters, they are brought together through the act of hang gliding, the very activity that caused Phillip paralysis after an accident. It is on this note that the film ends. Although there is never a true obstacle for either of them to overcome, they both find their own way through life and reunite their friendship. For a movie about life, that’s about as close to a conclusion as story can get.

The Upside is now streaming on Netflix.