I’ve been under the weather and watching a lot of TV in bed, so it seemed like the perfect time to check out a new rom com I’ve been hearing about – Upgraded. It’s got classic rom com movie vibes, which I loved. We even get an airplane meet cute and a charming British boy who comes from a wealthy family yet chooses to coach a kids soccer team and doesn’t try to hide his interest in our workaholic heroine. He loves that she’s a competent badass, even if he doesn’t have the full story. Camila Mendes does a phenomenal job of navigating the murky waters she finds herself in, stealing the show with a very strong performance. I watched the first few seasons of Riverdale, so I already knew she’d be great in a role like this, and she really was. I’m not familiar with the male lead, but apparently he was one of the stars of the Shadow and Bone show, so romance reader might already be familiar with him. He was nice, if a little forgettable. That’s not a bad way to describe the movie as a whole either – definitely one of the better rom com movies I’ve seen in the last several years, but nowhere near as good as some of my favorites from the before times. Certainly not a bad way to spend a sick day though!
The story follows Ana, a woman who hopes to run her own fine art gallery one day. In the meantime, she’s broke, sleeping on her sister’s futon, and struggling to make it through a training program with a meticulous and demanding art dealer. While leaving for a last minute work trip to London, an airline employee takes pity on Ana and upgrades her ticket to first class. It’s there that Ana meets William, and the two spend the whole flight talking. Unfortunately, Ana doesn’t correct Will when he assumes she has a more prestigious job at the company, and it’s not long before her lie is spiraling out of control. As the two grow closer, Ana reaps the benefits of her lie while keeping secrets from the man she’s quickly falling for.
If this was in book form, I’d probably have more issues with the plot, but it works in this fast-paced format. Ana thought she was just talking to a cute guy on a plane, so allowing him to believe she has a high-paying job didn’t feel like a big deal at the time. I wouldn’t say that she’s particularly good to Will, but the romance moves quickly and that’s easy to ignore overall. I wouldn’t have minded a stronger romantic connection, but there’s a lot going on with Ana’s job as well. It’s definitely her story and I was entertained the whole time. Solid acting from everyone involved. It’s essentially a fling to more/hidden identity/workplace romance, and a fun time. Not a new favorite, but I enjoyed it.
Blurb:
Ana (Camila Mendes) is an ambitious intern dreaming of a career in the art world while trying to impress her demanding boss Claire (Marisa Tomei). When she’s upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will (Archie Renaux), who mistakes Ana for her boss– a white lie that sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface.
Where to Watch:
It’s an Amazon Original, so you can stream for free with Amazon Prime at: https://amzn.to/443Iv7z
Want more movie reviews?
I’ve reviewed a few other solid movies this year.
Rye Lane
Two youngsters reeling from bad breakups who connect over an eventful day in South-London.
Read the movie review here
Streaming on Hulu!
Red, White & Royal Blue
Based on the New York Times bestseller, Red, White & Royal Blue centers around Alex, the president’s son, and Britain’s Prince Henry whose long-running feud threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations. When the rivals are forced into a staged truce, their icy relationship begins to thaw and the friction between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected.
Read the movie review here
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video: https://amzn.to/45ohL14
Past Lives
Two childhood sweethearts, after decades apart, are reunited for one fateful week in New York as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life in this heartrending modern romance.
Read the movie review here
It’s available on Bluray/DVD or you can rent/buy from Amazon Prime Video at: https://amzn.to/3RHx67C
Puppy Love
After a disastrous first date, wild-child Nicole and socially-anxious Max vow to lose each other’s numbers until they learn that their dogs found a love match, and now puppies are on the way! The hilariously mismatched Nicole and Max are forced to become responsible co-parents, but may end up finding love themselves. Starring Lucy Hale and Grant Gustin.
Read the movie review here
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video/Freevee: https://amzn.to/3tzE0DG
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