In the new romantic comedy “Upgraded”, yet another unexpected meet-cute leads to a silly and sappy romance. But as always there’s that one hurdle that threatens to keep our love-struck couple apart. Will it? Well what do you think? Does it ever? Such is the case in this by-the-book yet mildly entertaining romcom that gets by on the pure energy of its cast. Just don’t expect much beyond that.

What really stands out is that the romance is (by far) the least interesting thing about “Upgraded”. You can actually see the blueprint for a good art-world comedy and the movie certainly has the cast for it. But the wedged-in romance drags the movie down mainly because there’s nothing remotely fresh or original about it. It’s riddled with clichés and conveniences that takes away from the much more entertaining workplace stuff.

Camila Mendes plays Ana Santos, a down-on-her-luck New Yorker with high hopes of working in the art world. Despite having a Masters Degree in Art History, Ana hasn’t been able to get her foot in the door. She’s knee-deep in debt and has been living with her sister Vivian (Aimee Carrero) and brother-in-law Ronnie (Andrew Schulz). She’s interning at a high-end art gallery ran by the highly revered Claire DuPont (a scene-stealing Marisa Tomei), an art broker described by one character as a “psychopathic perfectionist”. The label fits.

A recommendation from Claire would go a long way in helping Ana realize her dream and she gets her chance to impress when she’s invited to accompany Claire and her entourage to London for an auction. But Claire’s two insufferably snobbish assistants, Suzette (Rachel Matthews) and Renee (Fola Evans-Akingbola) begin sabotaging Ana’s opportunity starting with booking her on a delayed economy flight. Suzette and Renee have some funny moments and are something akin to Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters.

But wouldn’t you know it, a little sympathy (and some narrative convenience) sees Ana upgraded to first class where she is seated next to a hunky and rich British advertising executive named William (Archie Renaux). Of course the two hit it off and sparks soon fly. A few little white lies later and Ana has William thinking she is her gallery’s art director. As you can probably guess her fibs get her in deeper, especially after William introduces her to his highfalutin mother Catherine (a spot-on Lena Olin).

Written by the trio of Christine Lenig, Justin Matthews, and Luke Spencer Roberts, the story splits into two parts that inevitably collide. One part is quite good and follows an ambitious Ana comically working through an array of obstacles thrown her way by her threatened co-workers. But again, its the other part that’s unimaginative and tiresome. The romantic angle is patently conventional leading to an ending so glaringly and shamelessly predictable that you can’t help but roll your eyes.

Carlson Young directs and shows herself to be more than capable behind the camera. She makes a number of good choices when it comes to pacing and knowing when to rely on her actors. But she’s handcuffed to a script that is constantly pulling her away from the better material. It’s a shame because there are things to like about “Upgraded”. Unfortunately it’s too devoted to an overused formula to really stand out on its own. “Upgraded” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

VERDICT – 2.5 STARS