“The Upside,” the remake of the French film “The Intouchables,” has a lot going against it.

It’s a formulaic film that really doesn’t take many chances. Sometimes the pacing feels off and the story never really has any surprises.

Even with all of that “The Upside” manages to work thanks to an ace, make that two aces, up its sleeve – Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart.

They do what they can to make this sometimes flimsy material stand tall. “The Upside” may not be a film I remember at the end of the year, but it’s one that I at least enjoyed in the moment – a credit to Cranston and Hart.

Based on a true story, “The Upside” sees Cranston as Phillip – a wealthy quadriplegic who decides to hire an ex-con named Dell (Hart) to be his care giver.

The unlikely employment turns into an even more unlikely friendship – with the friendship leading to value life lessons for both.

Yes, it all sounds a bit hokey and Neil Burger’s direction tends to be as cliched as Jon Hartmere’s screenplay. The two leads go a long way towards overcoming all the film’s flaws however – with solid chemistry that really sells this friendship. 

If “Upside” could have had a little better pacing it could have worked more. Some early moments get so much time that the final act feels a little rushed. 

It’s a good thing Cranston and Hart are pretty much asked to be on screen together the entire 120 minute run time, because they both have to do a lot of heavy lifting. 

Cranston is just the kind of actor needed to pull off Phillip, someone who can do more with eye movement and voice than a lot of actors can do with every extremity they have.

Hart is asked to go a little out of his comfort zone here, but manages to do a solid job. Sure he gets to throw some wisecracks in, but it’s a toned down version of the comedian that we don’t get to see often. I hope we get to see it more though, because “The Upside” shows Hart can be serious when he needs to be.

While the two leads dominate the film, you also get Nicole Kidman as Phillip’s long time assistant in a role that winds up having a little more to it than you would expect from the early moments.

It’s one of a few surprises in a film that is kind of devoid of many surprises. It’s a good thing “The Upside” got the casting right, because without Cranston and Hart this could have been a complete disaster.

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart

Directed by: Neil Burger

Rating: PG-13 for suggestive content and drug use

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: B-