‘Upgraded’ Review: Camila Mendes Breaks Teen Mould in New Rom-Com
My initial reaction to ‘Upgraded,’ the latest rom-com on Amazon Prime, was one of anticipation – finally, a leading role for Camila Mendes that isn’t set in high school. At 29, the ‘Riverdale’ alum has shown her versatility in navigating the teenage landscape, but it’s refreshing to see her tackle a more mature character.
From her captivating performance in Netflix’s ‘Do Revenge’ to her readiness for any unexpected twist, Mendes has proven her ability to command the screen as a complex character.
Also Read: ‘Ordinary Angels’ Review: A Very Average But Enjoyable Watch
Directed by Carlson Young, ‘Upgraded’ presents Mendes with the opportunity to portray a character closer to her age – a resourceful third-tier assistant with a master’s degree in art history. She finds herself in over her head but manages to charm everyone around her. Like many teen-to-adult transitions in film, Upgraded transitions from a mid-budget studio bet to a straight-to-streaming feature, reminiscent of ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’
In the movie, Mendes plays Ana, an ambitious twentysomething in New York navigating limited funds and lofty aspirations. Her expertise in fine art lands her in a training program at an upscale auction house. Struggling to break through, Ana faces the prospect of returning to Tampa to sell paintings of boats to retirees. She crashes on a futon in her sister Vivian (Aimee Carrero) and her fiance Ronnie’s (Andrew Schulz) apartment, feeling out of place due to their working-class lifestyle.
‘Upgraded”s tonal shifts range from campy to naturalistic romance, often swinging between clunky and captivating. Written by Christine Lenig, Justin Matthews, and Luke Spencer Robert, the film initially appears to parody the art world, especially through Ana’s boss, Claire (Marisa Tomei), a Miranda Priestley knockoff with a peculiar accent.
As the story unfolds, Ana finds herself embroiled in a London work trip, assisting the formidable Claire’s Barbie-like subordinates, Suzette (Rachel Matthews) and Renee (Fola Evans-Akingbola). A chance encounter places Ana next to Will Delaroche (Archie Renaux), the charming son of socialite Catherine (Lena Olin), whose art collection Ana is eyeing for auction.
At 104 minutes, Upgraded strikes a balance between escapism and unwieldiness. Mendes shines in her role, effortlessly portraying the perennially underestimated third assistant. Her chemistry with Renaux’s Will adds depth to the narrative, offsetting some of the film’s shortcomings, like logistical inconsistencies and occasional choppiness.
While ‘Upgraded’ doesn’t shy away from glorifying toxic work environments, it navigates this territory with more levity than films like Burnt or Emily in Paris. Mendes’s performance elevates the movie, hinting at the potential for her to take on more mature roles in the future.
