A Long Way Down

The 2014 British-German black comedy film directed by Pascal Chaumeil, with a screenplay by Jack Thorne based on Nick Hornby's 2005 novel of the same name, follows four strangers who meet on the rooftop of a London building on New Year's Eve, each intending to end their lives. Martin Sharp (Pierce Brosnan), a disgraced former TV presenter who lost his career and family due to a scandal involving a minor, is the first to arrive. He is interrupted by Maureen Thompson (Toni Collette), a lonely mother caring for her disabled son. They are soon joined by Jess Crichton (Imogen Poots), an impulsive politician's daughter struggling with her sister's disappearance, and J.J. Maguire (Aaron Paul), a former musician claiming to have cancer. Instead of going through with their plans, they form a pact to postpone any suicide attempts until Valentine's Day. Over the following weeks, they become media sensations, especially after Jess shares their story with the press. The group decides to capitalize on the attention by fabricating a tale about a "vision of an angel" that changed their minds. However, the truth unravels when J.J. admits he isn't ill, and journalist Kathy Miller (Tuppence Middleton), whom he had grown close to, is revealed to be a reporter. The group falls apart after this revelation. Later, when Maureen's son Matty (Josef Altin) suffers a heart attack, the others come to support her. On Valentine's Day, they find J.J. back on the rooftop, ready to jump, but manage to dissuade him. A year later, they remain connected: Martin is caring for his daughter, Maureen is enjoying life, and Jess and J.J. are in a relationship. The film also features Rosamund Pike as Penny, Sam Neill as Chris Crichton, and Joe Cole as Chas Johnson.