'Up Against It' Review: A Family Drama That Stumbles in Its Own Complexity

When Family Drama Meets Modern Ethics

As I sat through Trudie Styler's Up Against It, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching a fascinating but ultimately unfinished symphony. The film attempts to thread together themes of family, medical ethics, and the messy complexities of modern relationships — all while maintaining a light-hearted comedic tone that often escapes its grasp.

"A crisscrossing family dramedy... features wonderful performances and intriguingly modern ideas, but it seldom coheres as comedy or drama."

— Variety Review

The setup is familiar: divorced parents, their respective partners, and a precocious teen caught in the middle. But what sets this story apart is its exploration of modern family dynamics — especially around issues like medical ethics, identity, and parenthood. The film's central dilemma revolves around Rose (Eden Hamilton), a 14-year-old with a terminal illness, who needs a sibling to be a stem cell donor. Enter the moral minefield of creating a savior child.

Antonio Banderas: A Star in Search of a Story

Antonio Banderas brings his usual charm and depth to Alvaro, the father who is both vulnerable and emotionally scarred. His scenes with Eva Birthistle's Saffron are nuanced and compelling, capturing the weight of past decisions and present regrets. Yet despite the brilliance of these performances, the film fails to give these characters room to breathe. They are too often reduced to plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.

The movie's most interesting moments come not from the big emotional beats but from subtle exchanges between characters. There's a poignant scene where Rose argues with her mother on the tube, and we see the tension that exists in their relationship — it's raw, real, and utterly captivating. But these scenes are quickly overshadowed by more melodramatic subplots that don't always land.

A Tangled Web of Themes

What I found most frustrating was how the film handles its central themes — particularly those around medical ethics and family responsibility. The idea of using modern medicine to create a savior child is compelling, but the script only scratches the surface. It's left as a concept rather than being explored with the depth it deserves.

The film also makes several missteps in how it frames its female characters. Rose, despite being the protagonist, is often sidelined when her story could be driving the narrative forward. Instead, we get more of her parents' stories, which feel incomplete and underdeveloped. This is especially unfortunate given how much potential there is for a young character to illuminate deeper truths about family, love, and loss.

The inclusion of Dr. Abara (Forest Whitaker) adds gravitas to the medical aspects of the plot, but again, he's relegated to background character rather than being part of the central emotional arc. It's clear that Styler was trying to tackle complex issues like the ethics of creating a child for medical purposes, but she never lets the audience fully engage with these concepts.

The Comedy That Wasn't

Styler's approach to comedy is perhaps where the film stumbles most. The script tries to balance lighthearted moments with serious subject matter, but it fails to find a consistent rhythm. There are several jokes that feel forced or over-rehearsed, especially when they're delivered in what seems like an effort to keep the tone light. It's clear the intention was good, but execution fell short.

The film also suffers from pacing issues. Scenes shift abruptly without enough time for the audience to process the emotional implications. When Rose's storyline is introduced early on, it feels like a promising thread — one that could have woven beautifully through the rest of the narrative. Instead, we're left with a story that lacks cohesion.

Performances: A Bright Spot in an Uncertain Landscape

Despite the film's shortcomings, there are moments where the performances shine. Eden Hamilton's portrayal of Rose is particularly strong — she captures both the defiance and vulnerability of a teenager caught between worlds. Her chemistry with Arinzé Kene's Kingsley is believable, even if their storyline isn't fully developed.

Eva Birthistle brings a layered intensity to Saffron, and her character's journey feels authentic. However, the emotional payoff never quite lands because the film doesn't allow enough time for this development. Similarly, Banderas delivers a nuanced performance as Alvaro, but his scenes are often overshadowed by other storylines.

Úrsula Corberó's Lara adds warmth and humor to the film, yet she too finds herself lost in a sea of unresolved narrative threads. The supporting cast — including Forest Whitaker and Jordan Nash — brings life to their roles, but they're ultimately constrained by the film's limited scope.

Final Thoughts: A Story That Was Meant to Be Great

Up Against It has all the ingredients for a compelling drama — strong performances, interesting themes, and an emotionally resonant story. But it's also a film that doesn't quite know how to tie its own loose ends. The result is something that feels both promising and frustratingly incomplete.

If Styler had taken more time to explore the ethical implications of her central premise — especially the idea of creating a child for medical reasons — the film might have been something truly special. Instead, it ends up feeling like a draft that never quite found its voice. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most ambitious stories need the patience and precision to be fully realized.

Verdict

• Strengths: Excellent performances, thoughtful themes, beautiful cinematography
• Weaknesses: Poor pacing, underdeveloped characters, lack of emotional payoff
• Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars