Oh yes, the song goes, “life goes on, long after the thrill of living is
gone.”

That’s the sentiment at the heart of “A Long Way Down,” a suicide dramedy based on that pop music-loving British novelist Nick Hornby’s book.
That isn’t one of the tunes quoted or sung in this well-cast, mildly charming
novelty. A bit too “on the nose,” one supposes, though the author of “About a
Boy” and “High Fidelity” has a character sing a bit of the Bee Gees’ “Tragedy.”
So, maybe not, or maybe the screenwriter or producer in charge of spending money
on music rights nixed it.
Here’s the set-up. A disgraced British talk show host (Pierce Brosnan),
a fellow who lost his wife, kids, job and reputation after an indiscretion with
an underage girl, makes his way to the roof of a tall London building on New
Year’s Eve. Martin brought a ladder to use as a diving board. “Humiliated,” he’s
taking the plunge. But as he’s sucking down one last cigar, he’s
interrupted.
“Are you going to be long?”
Maureen (Toni Collette) wants to be next in line. And she and Martin are just
getting their minds around the embarrassment of that when a wild-eyed young club
hopper (Imogen Poots) lunges past them
and makes a break for the ladder.
And they’ve barely tamed her hysteria when they spy the pizza delivery guy
(Aaron Paul) calmly considering another portion of the ledge of this London hot
spot for “suicidalists.”
Jess (Poots) is an unfiltered
insult machine.
“Very exciting to have a celebrity in our suicidal midsts,”she cracks, recognizing Martin.
Sheepishly, they abandon their plans. All “Good luck with your next attempt,
see you in the after-life.” But when one of them doesn’t quite give up reaching
that evening’s terminal destination, they pull together and show compassion.
That leads to “the pact.”
What’s the second biggest night for suicides, the world over? Valentine’s
Day. They promise not to off themselves before then. And since they’re already
sort of getting into each other’s business, the “Topper House Four” become
friends.
Get past the cute set-up and the whole sex-with-a-fifteen-year-old business
(the story’s “edge”), and French director Pascal Chaumeil(“Heartbreaker”) and screenwriter Jack Thorne get a perfectly serviceable sentimental comedy out of Hornby’s
book.
Each character has a secret or not-so-secret reason for wanting to end it
all, each takes turns narrating the story as we grasp that secret.
But you don’t enjoy Hornby adaptations for their story structure. It’s the lovely dialogue that sticks with you.
“I don’t mind the pain,” J.J., the pizza guy, says, quoting his own
failed-band’s song lyrics. “It’s the hope that gets to me.”
Shallow TV vet Martin tries to get them “ownership” of their own story when
the averted mass suicide becomes public knowledge and the piranhas of the
British press attack. Martin’s former co-host (Rosamund Pike) leads the
crucifixion. But that treatment is just another reminder that he’s not “famous”
any more.
“You’re nothing if you’re not noticed.”
Collette generates the most empathy, Poots (“Fright Night,” “That Awkward Moment”)
has the most to play and most to say. But Hornby gave the very best lines to J.J.,
whose motives for desiring an early death are the most mysterious in this story
of “a bunch of desperate people being desperate together as a way of feeling
less desperate.”
You don’t really get that from “A Long Way Down” — that desperation. With
the media circus stuff and the group vacation to The Canary Islands (a perk to
attract this fine cast?), “Way Down” veers towards cute and settles on “twee”
far more often than it should.
But there’s value in a story that finds heart and humor from the grimmest
human state of mind by describing, but not dwelling, on the wide range of
reasons people plan, or impulsively attempt to take their own lives.

MPAA Rating: R for language
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette,
Aaron Paul, Sam Neill, Rosamund Pike
Credits: Directed by Pascal Chaumeil, scripted by Jack Thorne, based on the Nick Hornby novel. A Magnolia release.
Running time: 1:36