In the not-too-distant future, in an alternate universe, two worlds powered by inverted gravity hang literally within metres of each other. "Up above" is thriving with wealth; "down below" rife with poverty. That's the wound, and here's the salt: citizens of each world are forbidden from interacting - even though they can see each other.
Adam Kirk (Jim Sturgess) lives modestly down below as a potter in a textile mill, but his romantic spirit clings desperately to the memory of a gorgeous girl named Eden (Kirsten Dunst) from up above whom he met as a child, before they were forcibly separated. And when he sees grown-up Eden unexpectedly on television, Adam now goes on a quest to reconnect with her.
Romances are very hit-and-miss for me, partly because I'm a hard-hearted arsehole so often and partly because too many of them follow the same predictable, cliched formula. But then along comes one like Upside Down that can restore your faith in the genre: a sci-fi romance bursting at the seams with imagination and fresh insight, along with plenty of emotional meat. Argentine writer-director Juan Solanas has hit on a thoroughly original, plausible and rich scenario for a love story and revels in elaborating it.
He's obviously a dedicated perfectionist, for there is no scene that isn't packed with lucid plotting and mesmerising visuals. His guides through these two worlds are also relatable and keenly observed, and their dialogue always sounds consistent with their personalities and backstories. Dunst is sweetly affecting even when Eden fails to recognise Adam (and she has less screen time), and Sturgess, with his down-and-out but hopeful and stoic manner, unshaven appearance and solid American accent (he's really English), fits Adam like a glove. Being Upside Down has never felt so wonderful.
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