A Long Way Down (2014)

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Nowhere but down from here

Four people meet on New Year's Eve and form a surrogate family to help one another weather the difficulties of their lives.
A comedy about suicide may sound like a recipe for disaster, but the 1971 classic Harold and Maude managed to succeed with the same basic plot. Sadly, that's where the comparisons end between the two films.

The best thing this adaptation of a Nick Hornby novel has going for it is the wonderful and talented cast, from Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul to the wonderful Sam Neill. It's just a shame they're all wasted on characters who could have done with a bit more work. They're each given a reason as to why they wish to jump, but they feel like the most basic of explanations, which could have been explored more than what we got.


Toni Collette gives the best performance, with the scenes of her backstory equating to the films best scenes. Imogen Poots' spirited performance doesn't help her character much, who comes off as annoying and lacking likeability, and only fares a bit better once her backstory is revealed.

Jack Thorne's script could've used more work, as the dialogue rings out as awful and things fly by at a rushed pace, as before you know it, the characters are budding pals, selling their story and jetting off to a sunny holiday. These light scenes of alleged comedy and moments sweet enough to give you cavities give a jarring juxtaposition with the darker scenes that deal with the theme of suicide, making for an uneven experience.

A Long Way Down fails to utilize the talented cast to the best of their abilities, and ultimately, we're left with an syrupy 96 minutes which equate to being nothing more than merely forgettable.

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