Do fantasies ever take flight in the real world? Imagine yourself whisked away first class to the cobblestoned streets of London, bumping into a stunning, affluent, child-loving philanthropist who could change your fortunes overnight. Would you dabble in harmless fabrications to weave your way into an idealized romance? “Upgraded,” a newly released romantic comedy by Amazon Studios, serves up the quintessential “fake it till you make it” mantra on a silver cinematic platter.
The story follows Ana, portrayed by Camila Mendes of “Riverdale” fame, a doubly degreed art history aficionado who trades the sun-soaked coastlines of Florida and her job selling nautical art to affluent seniors for the grey, pulsating metropolis of New York City. Ana takes refuge on her sister’s futon—in a rent-controlled sanctuary—while badgering her bemused brother-in-law with impromptu art appreciation lessons when he’d rather be playing fetch with a canine companion.
Aspiration drives Ana to snag an internship at an upscale auction house, pinning her hopes on gaining enough clout to fulfill her dream of opening her own gallery someday. However, her boss, played by the perpetually compelling Marisa Tomei, exudes an icy demeanor reminiscent of the legendary Miranda Priestly, commanding the screen and the lower-rung workers with equal alacrity.
Mendes, in a screen capture from ‘Upgraded’ | Photo Credit: Paul Stephenson/Prime Video
After correcting a blunder in the auction house catalog, Ana earns herself a slot as the third assistant on a business escapade to London, giving the Miranda Priestly protégé, Claire, an excuse to bring her along. Alongside first and second assistants, Suzette and Renee, embodying hostility and contempt, Ana is the underdog you can’t help but root for. Melting the heart of a sympathetic ticket agent, she’s lavished with an unlikely upgrade to first-class—every weary traveler’s dream—on what promises to be the most serendipitous cross-Atlantic flight of her life.
Prompting the inevitable “meet-cute,” Ana literally spills into the life of her seatmate, William (played by Archie Renaux), with a Bloody Mary mishap. With charming ease and a dash of deception, she allows him to believe she’s the auction house director instead of a mere intern.
From that point, Ana is catapulted into the whirlwind that is London’s elite circles, thanks to William’s mother, Catherine—an actress of regal presence portrayed by Lena Olin. What ensues is a heady mix of high-stakes auctions, Shakespearean plays (might Catherine garner tickets from Ken Branagh himself?), posh luncheons, and scenes showcasing William’s tender side as he coaches children deemed at-risk.
Like the cogs of a well-oiled machine, the narrative propels towards the big reveal, deftly unraveled without the tiresome cliché of a race against a boarding call at the airport. Fast forward six months, and the world rights itself—the characters’ dreams magically realized, with Ana’s brother-in-law joyously embracing a new Great Dane.
Mendes delivers a vivacious performance that builds on her Veronica Lodge persona, and Tomei arrests attention with every frame she graces. Anthony Head, as the absinthe-imbibing deceased artist Julian Marx, flashes through the film in moments of sporadic amusement.
“Upgraded” encompasses the essence of cinematic escapism, flawlessly executing a safe, wish-fulfillment fantasy. Each moment is carefully choreographed to guide you through a realm where all the pieces fall neatly into place, traveling their predestined route. If superficial charm and uncomplex narratives spell out the perfect film experience for you, “Upgraded” is primed to fulfill that hankering with absolute precision.
Now streaming on Prime Video, “Upgraded” is for those seeking comfort in the familiar embrace of a world where everything eventually clicks together as if by magic. Tune in for a light-hearted journey that’s sure to satisfy the rom-com aficionados craving their next heartwarming fix.
