‘Upgraded’ now streaming on Prime Video
Category: Television and Streaming
Camila Mendes stars as Ana in the Prime Video film Upgraded. Let’s face it, we all want to be upgraded when we travel. Sitting in the economy seats leaves a lot to be desired. But that is where Ana was supposed to sit on her flight to London from New York. Never mind that her boss and two underlings are in first class and on an earlier flight, leaving Ana several hours to fiddle her thumbs at the airport. But things are about to change.
Ana’s boss Claire (Marisa Tomei) and her two smug underlings, aka assistants, are akin to those in The Devil Wears Prada. Or maybe they’re worse. But Ana desperately needs to keep her internship with this art agency because so she can fulfill her dream of opening her own art gallery. She is proficient in art of all ages.
When a kind ticket agent sees the torment Claire’s assistants pile on Ana, she takes pity on her and upgrades her to first class. This includes the first class lounge which also includes, besides the champagne and food, a spa. A spa?! Well, Ana takes advantage of this wonderful surprise and in the lounge meets Well (Archie Renaux) on whom she accidentally spills her Bloody Mary.
On the flight it turns out Will is sitting next to her, and to keep up her first-class image, she divulges she is the head of a prestigious art agency. Her lies begin to pile up when Will is met at the airport by his famous mother Catherine (Lena Olin) who takes an immediate liking to Ana.
As Ana’s time in London goes on and she happily undertakes the tedious tasks she is given, her spare time is spent with Catherine, Will, and their VIP friends. What could be the problem with living it up – albeit under a lie – for a few days? No one will know and she will have the time of her life. But once again, things change. Oh what a tangles web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
And yes, romance blossoms between Will and Ana. But will it survive the truth?
Writer Christine Lenig said, “”I wrote Upgraded because I like stories that explore how life can turn on a dime. We all want to believe we are just one random event away from upgrading our otherwise dull lives. Like winning the lottery, meeting our soul mate, or, in Ana’s case, getting upgraded to first class. For Ana’s character, it’s not just a better seat; it’s a chance at a better life.”
About Renaux, director Carlson Young stated, “Archie to me felt like the nod that we wanted to the classic heroes from 90s and 2000s rom coms. I love him as a human being so much and in this character he’s fantastic. He brings this airy lightness to the world that’s really needed in our story. Will may come from privilege and a U.K. famous mother, but he’s grounded and I think Archie grounds our story in a really lovely way.”
According to Young, ”The relationship between Ana and Will is a sort of meet-cute that we’ve seen before, but I think our writers did an incredible job of infusing a lot of contemporary elements to their banter and their chemistry,” she says. “I think it really comes across as something fun and playful, it was lovely to find that relationship between them.”
Upgraded is a bit of The Devil Wears Prada combined with Maid to Order. It’s a cute rom-com for today’s viewers.
Upgraded is rated R for language and some nude art images.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.