A Long Way Down

Four total strangers meet atop a building on New Year’s Eve, each with the intent of jumping to their death.

What possessed the very talented Toni Collette, Sam Neill and Pierce Brosnan to be involved in this film? That the audience can feel anything for Collette’s character speaks volumes about her acting ability but says nothing for the role she’s been given; ditto to the rest of the cast – whose motivations are unconvincing.

Anyone whose family has been touched by suicide knows it to be a tragic and highly sensitive topic, but this film’s treatment of suicide seems fatuous and superficial. So, not only is this an ordinary film, it could even be described as an irresponsible one.

Taking a semi-comic approach to a serious subject is a dangerous path and it hasn’t worked here. Perhaps the original book tells the story more appropriately. No doubt there are better films to see at the British Film Festival. (MMu)

½ /5

BY MICHAEL MUIR

Limited release as part of the British Film Festival