Review of A Long Way Down (2014) by Flora G — 01 Jun 2016

Nick Hornby has written some thoroughly enjoyable books, some of which have been made into equally entertaining films; High Fidelity and About A Boy are two prime examples. With a screenplay by Jack Thorne and direction from Pascal Chaumeil, the film adaptation of Hornby's novel, A Long Way Down is a far cry from those cinematic successes.

The story revolves around four very different yet equally messed up individuals who serendipitously meet on a rooftop on New Year's Eve with the shared intention of jumping to their deaths. Somewhat predictably, none of them do end up killing themselves. Instead, the unlikely group form a bond which sees them on a journey of self-discovery which conjures in them the will to live.

The somewhat outlandish premise and convenient plot events which were skilfully incorporated into Hornby's novel are clumsily handled in this adaptation. The tone of the film oscillates between banal slapstick and sickening sentimentality, completely squandering the opportunities for subtle humour and genuine emotion that the book provides.

With a cast as motley as the characters themselves, the film is an unfortunate waste of some strong acting talents who seem to have been forced into playing one-dimensional stereotypes. Pierce Brosnan is cold and unlikeable as Martin, the disgraced television host. Imogen Poots portrays the infuriatingly brash teenager, Jess, in a performance totally devoid of any nuance that could render her endearing. Aaron Paul is similarly stunted as the wayward and depressed JJ, whose brooding attitude clashes with the sometimes frivolous tone of the film. Perhaps the most disappointing performance is Toni Collette's portrayal of Maureen, which sees Collette playing almost exactly the same damaged, put-upon single-mother that she played in About A Boy in her role as Fiona. Despite the uncanny similarity of the characters, her performance as Maureen lacks the warmth and depth that Collette brought to the role of Fiona and leaves the book's most agreeable character looking like a hapless, shell of woman. Unlike the book, the film does not provide occasion to warm to the characters and as a result, they remain unrelatable and off-putting to the film's conclusion.

It is a shame that Hornby's heart-warming and witty novel has been mishandled and misshaped into a film which is lacklustre at best, and at worst, downright cringe-worthy.