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Perfect cast and a good story

A Masterpiece!

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Four strangers who meet while trying to jump off the same tall building on New Year's Eve make a pact to postpone their deaths until Valentine's Day in this often quirky and highly unusual comedy based on a Nick Hornby novel. As per Hornby norm, the dialogue and narration often sparkles with wit and the characters are nicely human and down-to-earth. The bond that develops between them is endlessly fascinating too as they become a bit of a family unit, drawn to one another based on their shared experience. Things only get more interesting as their pact is leaked to the public, causing a media frenzy, and unwarranted hype when (as a practical joke) they decide to claim that an angel in the form of Matt Damon ('Dogma', anyone?) prevented them jumping. The idea of the pact spiraling out of control is, however, never properly developed with the characters subsequently hiding from the press and further things going on. It is also debatable whether the film truly explores the depression and suicidal inclinations felt by its characters who never seemed tempted to end it all ever again merely as a result of their pact. This remains, however, an entertaining film through and through, if a little sappy towards the end and never quite the black comedy that it could have been (think the 1978 Burt Reynolds film 'The End'). The initial scenes of the characters meeting and trying to talk one another out of it are certainly highly memorable and there is an equally unforgettable scene in which they convince a waiter that they are lovers when mistaken for a family!

Based on popular author Nick Hornby's novel of the same name, Pascal Chaumeil's adaptation of A Long Way Down is a tonally awkward film that you can't help but feel had more to give had it been more efficiently made, but thanks to a talented acting ensemble, the film overcomes many of its narrative troubles to be an enjoyable and even sometimes touching tale of life and friendship.Setting a film around botched suicide attempts seems like a sure-fire trip into Depressionville but this is absolutely a comedic look at a subject that arguably needed a little more realism attached to it. We have a disgraced TV personality Martin (Brosnan), hardworking mother Maureen (Collette), loud and obnoxious young lady Jess (Poots) and forlorn pizza delivery guy J.J (Paul) who create a rag-tag bunch of people that in real life would not put up with each other for more than a few minutes but here take holidays together and it sets up many awkward moments and musings on life and all its troubles. It's often a very strange scenario and one about as far away from realism as your likely to get but the actors here do some fine work despite Imogen Poot's grating performance and Dario Marianelli's overbearing score.It's always nice to see Pierce Brosnan given something to do and he aces his role as Martin. Martin is a believable character and along with Toni Collette's Maureen he makes for the film's most relatable figures. This is what A Long Way Down needed a little more of to really make it fly, some relatability and persons that feel cut from the real world. Aaron Paul does some nice work also as J.J, a man who's not quite sure why he feels the way he does and that too is something I'm sure people can associate with. It's nice to see Paul succeed here as he has an undeniable presence on screen when given the right material. The films largest annoyance (other than the wasting of Sam Neill and Rosamund Pike in short support turns) is by far Imogen Poots. Her Jess is a tacky and insipid creation that will bring the films mood down consistently in an overplayed and over extenuated role, all loud noises and arrogant remarks, it truly is an annoying thing to witness.A Long Way Down has some nice things to say about life, love and friendship and while it's all told in a very Hollywood light way, the message is still an important one. While not everything here rings true and some situations would've been better suited on the cutting room floor, there is enough here to suggest many will find enjoyment and maybe even some life affirming notions amongst all the goings on.3 step ladders out of 5 For more movie reviews and opinions check into - www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com

It's New Year's Eve in London. Martin Sharp (Pierce Brosnan) was a successful TV morning host until an affair with an underage girl and prison time. He goes up to the roof of the Toppers Building to kill himself. He is interrupted by Maureen Thompson (Toni Collette) who waits for her turn. She has the sole caregiver of a disabled son. They are struggling and unstable heart-broken Jess Crichton (Imogen Poots) comes running to jump. Then pizza delivery boy J.J. Maguire (Aaron Paul) appear claiming to be dying from brain cancer. It starts raining and Martin drives the quartet home. Jess comes up with the idea not to kill themselves before the coming Valentine's Day.The opening is so manufactured that it takes awhile to work it off. The audience has to surrender to its premise. It needs to be more of a truly dark comedy. Imogen Poots takes full advantage with her performance. She really gets to stretch out. Brosnan is fine. Collette is reserved. Aaron Paul needs to be weirder. In a group of dysfunction, he functions too well. It's not until the end that he lets go. Then there is the jarring tone changes. Just as it gets comfortable with a direction, it takes a sharp turn. I don't know much about the Nick Hornby novel but maybe it works better on the page.

A Long Way Down is a black comedy drama about suicide. It is an adaptation of a novel by Nick Hornby. Pierce Brosnan plays a disgraced television personality who plans to end it all from a popular London suicide spot on New Year's Eve only to find out there are others planning the same thing.Imogen Poots is a young lady who feels ignored by her politician father (Sam Neill). Toni Collette is a mother with her hands full with a severe disabled adult son. Aaron Paul is an American musician with a terminal disease.The four decide to make a pact that they would not do anything drastic until Valentine's day and in that time bond, be there for each other, become notorious celebrities in the media and decide to get away from it all on holiday abroad where certain truths emerge which causes disruption.A film about suicide has to be sensitive and the characters are certainly warm led by Brosnan who puts in along with Collette a strong performance. Paul and Poots who also appeared in Need for Speed provide able support and there is a nice turn from Sam Neill who at one time was touted for the role of James Bond along with Brosnan.However its not the strongest of story, not actually that black or humorous but its the performances of the leads that carry the film and makes it enjoyable.