The Upside

Dell (Kevin Hart) has little confidence that life holds many promises for a man with a criminal record, no formal education, and no financial safety net. He shows up as a candidate for the position of caregiver to millionaire author Phil (Bryan Cranston) wanting only a signature to show his parole officer. Yet Phil, despite strenuous protests from his assistant Yvonne (Nicole Kidman), insists on hiring the wholly unqualified Dell on the spot. Phil is quadriplegic, a grief-stricken widower, and, like Dell, running short on hope. Divided by race, class, and ability, these men could not be farther apart. Yet if they can bridge their differences, they may just discover a rare breed of friendship and teach each other to live again. (Toronto International Film Festival)