Upright (2019– ) User Reviews

Tim minchin is a genius

[aidenjones-83687 · 9/10 · 30 November 2019]

This show is nothing new in terms of format. Your typical getting from a to b with some hyjinx along the way. However the onscreen chemistry between lucky and Meg are what elevates this show to deeply funny and emotional ride across the breathtaking aus outback.

I didn't do any research before watching and went in blind but I was not disappointed. Equal parts hilarity and pure emotion and the season finale had me in bits.

Highly recommend and the soundtrack is suitably stunning.

Almost perfect

[timoverend83 · 9/10 · 16 January 2020]

This is an incredibly well written, beautifully directed series. One which I cannot recommend highly enough. With the exception of one very minor side story that I'm not sure really added anything this show is an amazing example of what makes great TV.

The script is incredible. There are very few words that are wasted, and the way the story develops is a thing of beauty.

I can only imagine how proud Tim and the team behind this must be with the masterpiece.

It was an emotional rollercoaster, but an absolute joy to watch. I wish I could delete my memory of it to fully enjoy it again.

Superb. Compelling. Just got better and better.

[carolinewardappleshaw · 9/10 · 18 January 2020]

Superb. Compelling. Funny. Emotional. Just got better and better with every episode. The best of Oz filming. Tim Minchin and Milly were absolutely absolutely absolutely superb.

This show gripped my soul.

[doohickeydongle · 10/10 · 8 December 2019]

I have never taken the time to write a review for a show. But this one truly touched me. I'm in the U.S. and was able to see it and its sad to think that I could have missed it. Milly blew my mind with her performance, for someone her age to project such a range of emotions it was just incredible, She has such a bright future. And Tim, I expected good, but damn. Excellent job sir, an amazingly complex character that you couldn't help but love. The two of you are an excellent duo. Thank you.

Audience and directors; fear not, this is the answer.

[dan_fitzsimmons · 10/10 · 2 December 2019]

This is how you make a tv show. Equally meaningful seriousness, yet potentially Minimal budget.

I've known of Tim Minchin for a long time, about half my life. I've understood his comedy, his music, and his teachings / very educated opinions and observations, and this show is the epitome, the peak of all things perfect about him.

The comedy is his hard hitting dark humour, with gritty realism of a struggling man at his lowest point of his life.

All I can say is this is going to be by far one of the most underrated shows. I can only hope this show blows up to unfathomable levels. I want everyone talking about it.

Completely envelopes your heart & soul

[brashbuzz · 10/10 · 19 December 2019]

This series is simply sublime. Not only does it have a unique ability to keep the audience enthralled whilst only revealing small snippets of information of the characters lives like peeling back layers from an onion, it manages to do it in such a uniquely, stunningly, at times comedic and at other times devastating way. This series will leave an indelible mark on anyone who watches it. It is raw, clever, artistic, intelligent, funny, pure, beautiful, imaginative and real. I have to say it is one of my favourite Television series of all time. I can't even see an Ad for it it without smiling and becoming moved by it. Let's hope that Tim Minchin and everyone involved continue to act in Australia and make more wonderful series like this in Australia. Well done to Foxtel for funding this! This is something to be proud of! Thank you so much for giving us all this series to enjoy!

Beautiful Story with 2 Amazing Leads

[jamesdaish · 10/10 · 1 December 2019]

Absolutely love Tim's previous work but this is gold. And couldn't recommend it more, Laughed and Cried what more do you want.

Surprisingly brilliant and consistently engaging top drawer comedy drama.

[markgorman · 9/10 · 8 January 2020]

I'll start by confessing that Tim Minchin has done nothing. NOTHING for me in his fairly long and, largely, highly succesful career, so when it was suggested I watch this I doubted I'd get past episode one.

How wrong could I have been?

By the end of episode eight, binged in two days, the tears rolled down my cheeks.

It's bawdy, ballsy, rude, ridiculous, hilarious, breathtaking, touching, sincere and is based on a largely unpredictable storyline that twists and turns like a Tasmanian Devil.

It also features a stand out, frankly equal footing, performance by 19 year old Australian actress, Milly Alcock, remember that name, she's the next Margot Robbie.

A truly excellent TV series, right up there with Succession, Fleabag and Chernobyl as my favourites of 2019.

In a word 'Delightful'

[diedaily77 · 10/10 · 17 December 2019]

I can't imagine what is going on in the minds of the few low rating reviews. This is top-notch TV. It is, as intended, frequently comedic and in places hilarious, but the unfolding of the three main characters (including the piano) and their secrets and histories is delightful, done via odd but believable encounters with various groups of quirky incidental characters which occur in mostly remote, often amusing and sometimes quite stunning locations. The direction and camera work is great too, infusing the austerity of Australian outback with colour and life.

You'll love it or hate it.

[gdempsey-63032 · 7/10 · 18 January 2021]

I think this show self selects more than most due to casting Tim Mitchen in it. He attracts and repels so those that love him will rate it highly and those that don't like him probably wont even watch it so won't rate it low hence, it has a higher rating than I believe it deserves. As an Aussie I wanted to really like Upright however it kicks off with some under acting by Mitchen that yields a quiet snivelling pathetic character. Combine this with a young co-star who overacts her sass and loud attitude and you have two annoying, unlikeable characters who provide an aggressive and boring first episode. It is not until right at the end there is some relief that they soften and there is some sort of collegiality. If you enjoy the first 15 minutes then it is worth persisting, if not, it doesn't change much so you might as well bail then. Definitely a love/hate one this one.

Piano is the star

[rhyoung-75109 · 9/10 · 8 January 2020]

The road movie is a rich and often mined creative seam. Think Easyrider, Thelma and Louise and even Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in African Queen. In Upright we have the classic formula of two misfits with different and sometimes competing agendas thrown together. While this could easily have descended into cliché, this is far from the case here. Tim MInchin, is brilliant and moving in portraying a character falling apart psychologically as he endeavours to face his demons. Milly Alcock is a mini powerhouse of kickass attitude whose drive and stickability as she warms to the task of ensuring the piano reaches its goal is both endearing and poignant. The final episode is moving but not in a maudlin way as it draws together the points that have been alluded to by means of flashbacks throughout the earlier scenes. The metaphor occupied by the piano as the central point of the series is a brilliant piece of writing. Some of the scenes, without giving too much away, for example the horse being replaced by the piano in the horse box, is priceless. R H Young (Dhanmondi Road 2019)

I Like It

[Tweetienator · 7/10 · 25 March 2023]

Upright found its way per lucky (pun intended) chance on my screen - and how pleasantly I was suprised: Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock (now well known for her role as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon) are charming and entertaining, and last but not least have a great chemistry together. The story, somewhat a coming of age and road story, gives us a lot of funny but also some emotional moments. The production is pro, the settings in the outback of Australia fine ones. Upright: not a masterpiece but a very entertaining one - if you are in the mood for some wild mix of comedy, drama, and well, life itself. Good.

Starts out great, slowly becomes completely cheesy

[geeboy37 · 5/10 · 3 June 2021]

I sincerely dont get shows like this. It starts out hilarious with a tinge of heart and drama but then all of a sudden all the comedy goes away and you're just left with over dramatic cheesiness. I've seen this same thing happen in other shows so it really comes down to balancing out the writing. When you have a really good comedy it makes it easy to get drawn into small elements of humanity but then when you over do it you're left wondering what was even the intention of the show. Quite disappointing.

Sublime

[warren-182 · 10/10 · 3 December 2019]

Other than seeing the odd plug from Tim I had no idea what this show was going to be about. Turns out it was about having my heart and emotions willingly mauled for 4 hours straight. It's subtly funny at times and despairingly dark in others as the increasingly uneasy finale is unravelled episode by episode.

Watch it before there are too many spoilers out there.

Stunning, entertaining, intelligent

[deckard-69468 · 10/10 · 20 December 2019]

So... Good show these days is hard to come by. There's so much rubbish out there... This one though is brilliant, intelligent, funny and real... It touches subtly on important things in life without intrusion of lecturing... Enjoying every episode wanted me to experience it more and more... The final one made me cry as it all came beautifully together. I suppose the success of this show is the fact that you don't wait for what comes next... You are just then and there, in a particular moment, experiencing it with Meg and Lucky. Fantastic, stand alone piece of great television. Hope we will get more of it sometime...

Love a good road trip, but S2 offers more

[rich-mac · 9/10 · 25 November 2022]

I've always been a sucker for a road trip, so season one of Upright and its 'hijinks,' as another reviewer put it, didn't disappoint - but season 2 offered more - even though it took a while to get there.

Season two offers life and loss - you'd need to be pretty impenetrable for its finale not to make an impression.

Minchin's brilliance really shines through as the series draws to a close, he's got good acting chops for sure, but he clearly dug deep to write this new series and the result is well worth the effort and the depths he plumbed to get to the end point. So what starts out as a somewhat whimsical road trip ends as a well realised drama.

Shout out too to Milly Alcock who delivers again, and clearly has real chemistry with Minchin. The two of them make quite a pair, even though the energy is at times fractious, they draw you into the story like a couple of seasoned pros, but never cynically. I'm sure Minchin put some of his heart into this one, and for that we can only be grateful - so thanks!

..you will remember this series..

[bjarias · 10/10 · 11 December 2019]

..if you've not yet watched this series.. you are in for a real-treat.. . ..when I think I was about-ready to give up on it sooo easily.. . ..now knowing what I'd have missed.. I feel...'Lucky' . ..ps.. Milly Alcock is blinding... stars are born.. not made..

I want to stop strangers in the street and tell them to watch Upright

[soo-89320 · 10/10 · 7 December 2019]

I hope with all my heart this show gets the exposure it deserves. Clearly, those who have watched it are raving about it - and rightly so. I binged all eight episodes in one sitting, wiped away my tears, rang my mother, put the kettle on while she came over to my house, then watched the whole thing again. I'm about to sit down with my daughter and watch it for the third time in a week. The acting, writing, directing, soundtrack and everything else are superb. Tim and Milly deliver stunning performances and their chemistry is utterly joyful. The pairing of grown (ish!) man and young girl could easily have veered into 'creepy guy' territory, which would have made many scenes unwatchable, but something about the writing and delivery assures you from the beginning that you are watching a blossoming friendship and nothing more. It's a finely balanced, nuanced performance that also leads us seamlessly from laugh-out-loud silliness to gut-wrenching sadness and back again, all in the space of a few minutes. Only Breaking Bad and Fleabag have ever made me want to yell 'Please watch this show!' from the rooftops... until Upright. I only set up an IMDB account to leave this review. If you haven't watched it yet, clear the decks, open a bottle of wine and settle in for a four-hour rollercoaster. If you have already watched it, spread the joy. Everyone involved in this project deserves an enormous pat on the back and some lovely shiny awards.

Beautiful new Aussie classic

[lars_ · 10/10 · 13 December 2019]

I've been a fan of Tim Minchin for years but this is on a new level. After watching the whole series I'm blown away by Upright. Incredible acting, great plot, beautiful music, stunning cinematography. Funny and touching - this is the kind of content Australia should be producing. I hope this show starts a new era in Aussie television. Well done Tim and the rest of the team.

Thelma and Louise driving off a cliff

[jchifi7 · 6/10 · 8 January 2021]

Episodes 1-4 were great. Funny & heartwarmimg. Episodes 5-8 were average and unrealistic.

So proud of the talent of Tim

[dianneking-90494 · 10/10 · 3 December 2019]

This should have been a movie release , showcased to the world as it is the best Australian production I have seen in years . Absolute screen chemistry between Tim and Milly , drop dead Australian cinematography , humour , fantastic music and beautiful life experience . Tim , you are a legend and I hope the world beyond Foxtel watchers appreciate this and get the chance to see it .

Tim Meh

[thejeta1 · 1/10 · 28 January 2021]

Respectfully I just can't understand why this fella gets so much oxygen. I'm undecided as to whether his acting is just atrocious or pure narcissism, or both. Meanwhile the script and dialogue is forced, at best. Stick to your piano man...pun.

Good show and good acting kept my attention

[Wolfgang8285 · 9/10 · 13 January 2020]

This series captures a similar character partnership and their misfortunes as does Wayne (2019) that was streamed on YouTube Premium, especially the screw-you-I-can-do demeanor and foul-mouthed verbal heckling of the female lead.

It's shadow funny yet darn serious; it shows two people dealing with their own personal problems that keep percolating. Interesting storyline (even with a lot of holes that are unanswered).

Nonetheless, Upright tackles a different setting - and concludes with a sad but happy ending, whereas Wayne did not really end and nor was it sad or happy. As an American, overall I enjoyed (and preferred) Mr Michin's and Ms Alcock's acting as well as their chemistry in Upright. I also liked the Australian outback setting.

Wow, amazing must see TV

[cherylgraham-1 · 10/10 · 3 December 2019]

I felt compelled to write a review as I was not expecting to love this so much. It has equal measures of Comedy - Light, Dark and all colours in between, I was captivated from the moment it started. Do yourself a favour and binge watch in one go, my only criticism is the length of the episodes.