Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that A Long Way Down is a dark comedy about four strangers who postpone their suicide attempts after meeting on the night they originally wanted to end their lives. Based on English author Nick Hornby's (About a Boy, High Fidelity) 2005 book, the movie deals with heavy themes (depression, loneliness, isolation) that are sometimes portrayed as humorous and other times as heartbreaking. One of the characters swears like a sailor ("f--king"), and there's a one-night stand, a naked behind (glimpsed when a character is in a hospital gown), a non-fatal drug overdose, and some serious drinking. But the message, of course, is that life, no matter how painful it might temporarily be, is still worth living.
Sexual
Content
Partial nudity in a clinical way: A young woman shows her behind in a hospital gown. J.J. sleeps with a woman the same night he meets her while on vacation. Martin admits he had an affair with a 15-year-old he thought was 25, and he's referred to as a "perv," "pervert," and "pedo" (short for "pedophile"). Jess tells someone she had hoped to shag him.
Violence
The movie's plot revolves around four strangers who all meet as they attempt (but fail) to commit suicide. Later a young woman is rushed to the hospital because of an overdose.
Language
Frequent use of strong language (particularly by Jess), including "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," some British slang, and other expletives.
Social
Behavior
The obvious message is that life is definitely worth living, no matter how difficult, dire, or desperate your circumstances might seem. The movie explores how depression and personal tragedy are temporary and that, with encouragement and support, life can and will get better and more satisfying.
Consumerism
Almost everyone has an iPhone and a Macbook.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
The "Topper's House Four" all drink quite a bit -- to the point of getting drunk -- while on holiday together in Spain. The next day, the foursome discusses having a hangover. They also drink more casually while out together on other occasions. Martin smokes cigars, and one character accidentally overdoses but survives, while her ex is clearly on party drugs.
