When thinking about what to write about for our Valentine’s Day issue, I obviously knew that I had to write about a rom-com, it was only right.
However, when I initially started searching for new titles, I have to admit that I was kind of stumped. I know, it seems out of character for me if you are familiar with the plethora of romantic comedy related content that I have delivered in this here publication, but I was left feeling unsure and uninspired.
That was until I was on Twitter — I cannot bring myself to call it X — and stumbled upon a hit tweet of gifs featuring Darcy level hand holding on a street corner from this new movie called “Upgraded,” and was immediately convinced by those pixelated frames alone. I had to know more.
“When Ana is upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will, who mistakes Ana for her boss, Claire. A white lie then sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface,” read IMDb.
“Upgraded” instantly seemed right up my alley because I would love to live this life — an important tenet of my rom-com checklist.
The film also starred Camila Mendes of “Riverdale” fame, which was so exciting to see — especially after how impressed I was by her in 2022’s “Do Revenge.” I think she’s a star and a comedic legend in the making, with such a good understanding of comedic timing and delivery, and “Do Revenge” only proved that.
I also randomly recognized the guy from the TV series “Shadow and Bone,” Archie Renaux, as the lead, but I have to admit that he is not my ship in the show, so he had to gain me as a fan.
In another casting twist, Rachel Matthews from “Do Revenge” appears opposite Mendes within the first six minutes as a mean art auction house assistant, and instantly made me question whether a casual watcher would even notice that.
Back to the plot, “Upgraded” gives “The Devil Wears Prada” like no other, with Marisa Tomei playing the most cutthroat art director boss with an ambiguous accent.
The more I watched, however, the more I realized that this was more of a workplace comedy with a romantic subplot than a full-blown romantic comedy, but maybe that’s what was needed on this Valentine’s Day so focused on romantic love.
I cared more about Ana keeping her job than this romance continuing, and that’s growth. I was also more riveted by Ana’s relationship with Will’s rich model mother Catherine, who took her under her wing.
Watching Ana use her British hottie’s nepo connections to excel at her job and one-up the other horrid assistants was kind of like watching the goal come to life if we’re being honest.
Soon enough, the genuinely satisfying twist comes where Ana fesses up to Catherine — thinking that she will be banished from her life or something — but is shocked to learn that Catherine is impressed by her acting job and was actually strategically using Ana all along to get a better offer on the art collection she was auctioning off — all in the name of “wanting a beach house.”
The power shift commences when Ana is now in charge of managing Catherine’s auction, becomes besties with Marisa Tomei and eventually opens her own gallery in just six months.
The film does end with Will coming back to Ana after her “betrayal” by flying to New York and leaving a pair of stolen salt and pepper shakers on a table as she’s locking up, which was apparently an important callback even though I had completely forgotten that was a part of their plane lore.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rating: 4/5 stars
