Customer Reviews

A Long Way Down [DVD] [2014]

This film is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend people to see it! It's a shame how there is a lack of British films that come out which have pure substance.

The story here, I'm sure you know it. Four people go to a roof, not together by themselves, to end their lives. After all bumping into each other their one thing leads to another, which then leads to a pact, to not kill themselves until Valentines Day.
It's funny, there are some touching moments and it never dragged. There are four sections to the film, with each character being focused on, something I liked. Imogen Poots was fantastic and really should be getting more praise. Pierce Brosnan is great as always, as is Aaron Paul (Jesse, Yo!) and Toni Collette.

If you want to watch a fun, touching and uplifting British film, see this film.

*Rated 15 for strong language, suicide theme and mild sensuality and violence**

Watched this in the Cinemas in the UK and very much enjoyed it. The storyline was strong and the cast were surprisingly good especially Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots (who I've never heard of before this film). Obviously I wouldn't know what every single person's taste in films but I normally like indie films, thrillers and an occasional chick flick but I very much enjoyed the film. I walked out the cinema feeling good about myself and happy about the final outcome of the film therefore I recommend this despite some critics' views.

I have no idea why critics dismissed "A Long Way Down", I thought it was a well-made, well-acted and generally good film, a kind-hearted comedy. I am sure you all know what this film is about: on New Year's Eve, four [very different] people decide to kill themselves. And then they decide not to. An unlikely friendship buds and then blossoms.

If you are in the right type of mood, don't expect a lot of laughs and are looking for a thoughtful gentle comedy drama - perhaps give it a chance. Three and a half stars.

On New Years Eve, four people bump into each on top of a popular suicide building with the intent of jumping.

Martin Sharp (Pierce Brosnan) was a popular morning show host with a family. He fell from grace because "she looked like she was 25."

Maureen (Toni Collette) is a rather mousey person who has never lived life. She cares for an invalid son who she deeply loves.

Jess (Imogen Poots) is the daughter of a rich politician. Her sister Jennifer, who read on a book on invisibility, ironically went missing two years ago. She is currently mad at her boyfriend who dumped her.

JJ (Aaron Paul) Is an American who was part of an amateur band. He claims he has CCR brain cancer.

The press has found out about the suicide attempts as they gain their 15 minutes of fame. They in turn form a bond and become their own support group.

This is another Magnolia "feel good" about yourself film. If you have seen one before, you know the feeling. Typically, the film has light quirky comedy, a few messages about life you can take with you, and decent acting and directing. Rosamund Pike has a role smaller than her billing.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex. Brief rear nudity (Poots)

Enjoyable enough if slightly loopy comedy directed by Pascal Chaumeil, who was 1st AD on Leon and 2nd Unit on The Fifth Element, A Long Way Down is his third big screen directorial outing. The promise of another adaptation of a Nick Hornby novel is to be welcomed, however this is no High Fidelity. The cast is highly watchable and there are nice dynamics between Brosnan, Collette, Poots and Paul - but somehow the script never ignites and the laughs often feel forced. It's not entirely obvious where to point the finger. There are effective dramatic moments, but the lows don't seem quite low enough, whereas the highs feel a bit too easy to come by. In the end the film is perhaps not sure which tone to take, rendering certain character motivations unconvincing. This said, there are still many moments to enjoy, including good turns in support from Rosamund Pike and Sam Neil, but there's a good chance you would be just as happy watching High Fidelity again, seeking out Fever Pitch (not the US version) or, better yet, An Education.

I saw this film in London on the day of it's release. After 20 minutes I turned to my wife and said " I don't think this is going to get any better", it didn't. The storyline lacked credibility and just didn't flow. The subject matter was depressing and we both came out of that cinema feeling suicidal. Give it a miss!