In "Elevator", one character stats that real life is not merely a series of ups and downs much like being inside an elevator; it is inherently more nuanced. Ironically, the film itself is confined to a narrative that operates between predictable highs and lows, never venturing beyond the confines of its conventional romance premise. Despite its potential to explore deeper themes on aspiration and the worker's plight, "Elevator" ultimately lacks the courage to transcend its formulaic structure, resulting in a disappointingly superficial experience.
Jared (Paulo Avelino), an elevator operator in Singapore who, along with his co-workers, dreams of making it big with their app, Global Gigs, designed to assist migrant workers. Jared leverages his position to pitch this ambitious project to affluent elevator passengers. When a tycoon, Byron (Adrian Pang), shows interest, he introduces Jared to his executive assistant, Bettina (Kylie Verzosa), to refine the app. The narrative takes a turn as Jared and Bettina develop a romantic relationship, complicating both their personal and professional lives.
"Elevator" heavily benefits from the palpable chemistry between Paulo Avelino and Kylie Verzosa and their performances are one of the film’s few redeeming qualities. Their engaging portrayal of a budding romance provides a rare glimpse of authenticity in an otherwise formulaic story. Unfortunately, this emphasis on the romantic subplot exposes the film’s broader narrative deficiencies. The film introduces intriguing concepts about the lives of migrant workers (and workers in general) and the challenges they face but fails to fully engage with these themes. Instead, the narrative devolves into a predictable love story, undermining its initial promise. The film’s first half exhibits an effort to introduce and explore its central themes, but it ultimately falters as it progresses. The latter part of "Elevator" succumbs to a conventional happy ending that feels both forced and unsatisfying, detracting from the film’s potential to offer a more profound and resonant commentary. Some may find this a non-issue especially those wanting a straight-forward romance-comedy experience. But while "Elevator" features strong performances and a compelling setup, it ultimately falls short of delivering a meaningful and innovative experience. Its adherence to genre clichés and predictable plot developments regrettably diminishes its overall impact.
Elevator Movie Review: Up then Down
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