It's all based, partly, on the true story quadriplegic millionaire Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his former aid, Abdel Sellou. Ahead of the movie's release on Blu-ray, here's how the film stacks up against the original in terms of factual accuracy.
Bryan Cranston starred alongside Kevin Hart in the 2017 dramedy “The Upside,” based on the true story of a paralyzed billionaire who befriends a recently paroled convict and hires him as a caretaker.
It is a remake of the French 2011 film The Intouchables, which was itself inspired by the lives of Abdel Sallou and Philippe Pozzo di Borgo. The film follows a paralyzed billionaire (Bryan Cranston) who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a recently paroled convict (Kevin Hart) whom he hires to take care of him.
But given the typical feel-good nature, it may be surprising to learn with some final text stating Dell and Phillip remain friends to this day that The Upside is based on a true story. Technically, The Upside is a remake of French film The Intouchables, with the action moved from Paris to New York.
Kevin Hart's character, Dell, shares many similarities with his real-life counterpart, Abdel. Both were petty thieves who were incarcerated and became caregivers through a government-sanctioned rehabilitation program. The differences, however, begin with their respective origins.
Unlike Cranston, Hart did not fly in any of the scenes. As a result, filming Hart “paragliding” required some creativity, including a flying rig that hung from a crane, a shade structure simulating the glider's canopy, and a large fan for wind.
The staff clamor around Philip to help him as he insists he can't feel a thing. Dell goes to pick Philip up and return him home, but Philip chews Dell out for arranging the whole thing with Lily since he now feels like a fool. Philip then fires Dell.
Abdel Sellou now lives in Algeria with his wife and three children, where he runs a chicken farm. He remains close to Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, who lives in Morocco with his second wife and two children.
From the set of The Upside, this is Dell (Kevin Hart) screen used, hero, Dell's first paycheck for five thousand three hundred and eighty two dollars, check from Lacasse Entrepreneurial Inc, check # 2389. Paycheck is unsigned given to dell from Yvonne.
Alongside today's round, the company said it's rebranding the name of its app from GetUpside to Upside, to reflect its belief that it offers “upside” for customers and businesses alike.
This is a remake of the French film The Intouchables (2011). In Germany and The Netherlands, it was the most successful French film in history. The same story has also been filmed as the Argentinian film Inseparables (2016).
In walks scruffy Dell Scott (Kevin Hart). He has 24 hours to collect three signatures from potential employers to show his parole officer he is actively seeking work.
Philippe di Borgo became a quadriplegic in 1993 following a paragliding accident. Because of his disability, he attempted to commit suicide by wrapping an oxygen tube around his neck. In July 2012, he was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Pozzo di Borgo died on 1 June 2023, at the age of 72.
As the descendant of two prominent French families and director of a legendary vineyard, Philippe Pozzo di Borgo was not in the habit of asking for help. Then, in 1993, right on the heels of his beloved wife's diagnosis of a terminal illness, a paragliding accident left him a quadriplegic.
This leads Driss to explain to Philippe the whole truth about his past, which leads Philippe to let Driss go. He says that Driss' family needs him and Driss needs to be there for his family rather than spending his whole life taking care of Philippe. Driss returns to the suburbs and Philippe hires a new caregiver.
Philippe Pozzo di Borgo was born on 14 February 1951 in Paris, France. He was a writer, known for The Intouchables (2011), Menschen (1982) and La vie comme un roman (1999). He was married to Khadija NAJIMI and Béatrice Henriette Lucie ROCHE. He died on 2 June 2022 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Though he is unqualified for the job, Phillip hires Dell because he believes that Dell will not treat him with pity, nor resuscitate him should he stop breathing.
Founded by Australian fashion icon Jodhi Meares, THE UPSIDE's early ethos laid in establishing a bold brand that catered to sartorially sophisticated and time savvy individuals who led demanding lives but cherished their training.
But after caring for Phillip, Dell realizes that there are much more important things in life. He starts caring for his ex-girlfriend and becomes more present in his son's life. By the end of the film, Dell is a genuine, caring person and Phillip is a man happy to be alive.
The Upside Is Getting a Sequel; Bryan Cranston to Reprise Role Despite Backlash from Disability Community. "I was pretty surprised that I got some blowback to it, and I thought, 'There's a good point, that disabled actors are not given an opportunity. '"
Most of the scenes in "The Upside" were filmed January 30-April 4, 2017, on Philadelphia streets and in Philadelphia locations. These included Gilham Street, The Kimmel Center, XIX Restaurant in the Bellevue Hotel, Kensington Avenue, 1900 JFK Boulevard, East Allegheny Avenue, and the Center for Architecture and Design.
The Intouchables is clearly the more well-respected film (74% on Rotten Tomatoes versus an undeserved 39%), but The Upside is actually quite a successful remake. Some may bristle at recreating a film just so we English-speakers don't have to read subtitles, but the filmmakers did a good job with it.
