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Poster for A Long Way Down

A Long Way Down

Life is looking up.

2014 · 1h 36m · R Comedy, Drama
Directed by Pascal Chaumeil

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Overview

Four lost souls—a disgraced TV presenter, a foul-mouthed teen, an isolated single mother, and a solipsistic muso—decide to end their lives on the same night, New Year's Eve. When this disillusioned quartet of strangers meet unintentionally at the same suicide hotspot, a London high-rise with the well-earned nickname Topper's Tower, they mutually agree to call off their plans for six weeks, forming an unconventional, dysfunctional family. They become media sensations as the Topper House Four and search together for the reasons to keep on living.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
Rotten

The movie criminally wastes Sam Neill and Rosamund Pike in barely there supporting roles, and the picture has exactly two tones: grim and gooey. They do not coexist harmoniously.

Jason Clark, Entertainment Weekly
Rotten

Whatever the intent of the filmmakers, a story that hinges on existential despair requires at least a modicum of emotional credulity.

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Fresh

As British comedy sometimes will, "A Long Way Down" has an occasional attack of the cutes, but the actors' commitment keeps the movie on the plus side.

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Rotten

Tackles the topic of life-ending despair with all the delicacy and grace of a Hallmark greeting card.

Barbara VanDenburgh, Arizona Republic
Fresh

Author Nick Hornby establishes a tone of sentimental black humor, and director Pascal Chaumeil orchestrates the encounter as the formation of rag-tag band where each player gets a stirring solo number.

Serena Donadoni, Village Voice

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