A LONG WAY DOWN

Basically…
When ex-TV presenter and convicted sex offender, Martin Sharp (Pierce Brosnan), goes to Toppers House, the most renowned spot for people jumping to their death, he meets three like-minded lost souls. In doing so he forms an alliance with Maureen, (Toni Collette), Jess (Imogen Poots) and JJ (Aaron Paul) as the four learn to ease the pain of each other’s problems.

In other words…
“A bunch of desperate people doing desperate things to try and look less desperate” – JJ. 

The main men and leading ladies…
Pierce Brosnan plays the disgraced celebrity, who is yearning for another chance at fame, convincingly but his character is the least developed of the four. 
Reserved and lonely Maureen is portrayed well by Toni Collette and she does well to show how isolated her life is because it's devoted to caring for her disabled son.
The movie may not go into detail about JJ’s heartache as he suffers the break up of both his relationship and his band, but Aaron Paul still captures how lost and painful his life has become.
But saving the best to last, there aren't many actresses who could play big-mouthed Jess - and not be irritating - as well as Imogen Poots. Silently suffering the disappearance of her older sister, she compensates her pain by being shamelessly outspoken and despicably endearing...making this film the gem that it is. 

In the chair…
French director Pascal Chaumeil takes on the challenge of not only making a film in English but adapting Hornby’s novel as well. And he successfully moves the book to the big screen while ensuring the vital character depth isn't lost in the transition. 

So…?
It’s a story that shouldn't work, but unapologetically does. You have to admire Hornby for his original approach to a typically taboo subject. As much as it’s in bad taste, this black comedy has as many funny lines as it does touching moments. There was still room for more dark humour though, and if it had been utilised, it could have had an even longer lasting impact. Never the less, it’s an inspiring and heartwarming story of unlikely friendships and in a twisted way, it’s also a poignant coming of age movie. The casting is done to perfection and the added chemistry between Jess and JJ, which isn't in the novel, is welcomed on the big screen because of the believable underlying sexual tension between the actors.

Worth the money? 
Yes, even if it’s just for more of the Paul ‘n’ Poots collaboration.