Review of A Long Way Down (2014) by Panta O — 02 Aug 2014

I love British dark comedies, and I decided to watch this one directed by Pascal Chaumeil, loosely based on author Nick Hornby's 2005 novel, A Long Way Down. Well, when you have stars like Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, Pierce Brosnan, and Aaron Paul as four strangers who happen to meet on the roof of a London building on New Year's Eve, each with the intent of committing suicide, sounds like a good idea to see it ASAP.

The story starts with Martin Sharp and him contemplating suicide on New Year's Eve on the roof of the Toppers Building, high above London's streets. While he is getting ready to jump, he is interrupted by a woman, Maureen, who has the same fate in mind. She shyly offers to wait her turn, until two other strangers, a young woman named Jess and a pizza deliverer called J.J., also turn up. Only Martin is recognized by the others, having been a popular television personality before going to prison for a relationship with a girl who turned out to be 15... While chatting they have a slight accident which postponed the mission and after talking things over, the four strangers form a pact, vowing to wait at least until Valentine's Day before taking their lives...

The film premiered at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival few months ago, and I'll have to say that thanks to the actors and the sharp dialogue, regardless all the faults, this is still an enjoyable movie to watch with occasional laughs. French director Pascal Chaumeil managed to deliver a lightweight farce which is very close to Hornby's distinctively bittersweet tone. For my taste there was too much wasted time on explanations which were done to have a neat ending... but if you like light dark comedies (words match well... hahahaha) try this one.