'The Upside' director Neil Burger on how comedian Kevin Hart shattered stereotypes and everyone's expectations with the dramatic role
Kevin Hart and Brian Cranston’s newest film ‘The Upside’ is an equally heartwarming and funny story that gracefully walks the line of comedy and drama. ‘The Upside’ is the American remake of the French film ‘The Intouchables’ which was based on the real life memoirs of paraplegic aristocrat Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his life auxiliary Abdel Sellou.
Interestingly enough, ‘The Upside’ was one of the films affected by the downfall of Harvey Weinstein, who had originally financed the film through The Weinstein Company. MEAWW spoke to director Neil Burger who expanded on the positive experience he had shooting the film, but also the frustrating circumstances that led to the film’s release being delayed.
“The movie was actually very quick in the making, it was really one of the more wonderful filmmaking experiences. But what happened was, after we had the premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, all of the Harvey Weinstein things came out. The film was originally financed by the Weinstein Company, so that completely derailed us for a year until Lantern Entertainment came in and bought the movie from the Weinstein Company and partnered with STX to release the movie.”