Downhill

What a treat to watch a movie set in England and talking to the real concerns of 50 somethings.

Having done many walks in groups, this film captures well the roles that people tend to play along the way. I saw myself in each of the four roles depicted. The unfolding story also showed a real understanding of how the dynamics change when you are doing a long distance walk.

As an added bonus, anyone who has walked in the Lakes, Dales etc will have fun spotting the places they have been to.

A really powerful part of the film for me was the relationship between Gordon and his son (the cameraman). The camera was the unseen centrepiece of the film and the audience were skilfully reminded every now and then that it was there; looking. The highlight of the film is when the Dad (who's financial affairs are falling apart) is challenged by the heavy drinking, loads o' money, 'free spirit' and the son intervenes on Dad's behalf.

Interesting that the poor reviews given by some of the newspapers are from those of an age (30's) who it probably wouldn't speak to.

A must see film for those over 45 or with parents of that age.

Stumbled upon this almost accidentally. Any film about a walk across the top of England has to be worth investigating. Turned out to be a good move. Four old school friends re-unite for a trek to remember. Thebooze intake at the Pubs along the way might just render the recall less than total. Shot in a kind of 'fly on the wall' style and interspersed with novel little captions which signpost the trip. Great characterisations that I warmed to along the way. Initial reservations were cast aside...these are genuinely likable blokes. Add a little gender chemistry in the form of a couple of lady hikers and the end result was a thoroughly enjoyable ninety minutes. A first for England (north OR south) in this miserable World Cup summer! Cheer yourself up and catch this highly unusual and entertaining film. Congratulations to all involved.

Mid-life crises can always be the source of much hilarity (see American Beauty), and this Mock-umentary set in the glorious British countryside puts the fun in fundamental breakdown.

Four friends decide to embark on a coast-to-coast walk across Britain, hiking for hundreds of miles and stopping at some historic sites (mostly pubs where they get wankered most nights!). As the foursome get into mischief, squabbles, and some deep emotional revelations, the trip becomes far less about proving a point about middle-age, and more about discovering where they got lost and which path to take - metaphorically speaking.

Director James Rouse blends a quirky British comedy story with modern documentary style, and some classic sitcom-style lines to make a painfully funny and charming movie. Scenes of intimate, philosophical debate are juxtaposed with lads banter and childish pranks. The group themselves make for some varied viewing.

Gordon (Richard Lumsden), is the leader - a sanctimonious time-keeper, endeavouring to tackle this challenge with integrity, only to be brought down by his clownish pals.

Keith (Karl Theobald), a quieter type with a huge revelation in store which alters the mood of the journey dramatically.

Steve (Jeremy Swift), a teacher whose propensity for mood swings when he is hungry makes for some of the funniest moments. He is reminiscent of a Nick Frost character.

And Julian (Ned Dennehy), a well-spoken trickster and devourer of the finer things (in particular the works of Shakespeare), whose laid-back disregard for rules, political correctness, and life make him the most volatile British rambler since Sightseers.

Downhill is let down slightly by the documentary style, filmed by Gordon's son Luke (Ruper Simonian) who is barely allowed to talk in case he ruins the atmosphere of the documentary. The camera work starts off haphazard but does improve during the movie.

That being said, Rouse utilises a wonderful acoustic soundtrack, with music from Ben and Brodie Park, that compliments the breathtaking scenery, and adds pathos to the bittersweet story. Furthermore, his use of flashback imagery in the footage is a lovely touch, and even the charming little animations by Jake Lunt that separate the chapters are delightful.

Beautifully shot and wonderfully scripted, Downhill is one of the funniest films released this year.

Watched this having just completed the Coast to Coast. Entertaining in middle aged bloody sort of way. But anyone who has walked it would not believe that you could do it whilst very unfit, permanently drunk ( I used another word that was banned) and carrying no or very little pack. There is a fair but of artistic licence. Places turn up in the wrong order. The best bits of the walk are not there. Neither are the worst. Interaction with people who live en route is completely missing. Not enough pain to be realistic. But if you forget the reality of the walk and just look at the stupid nonsense that 50 year old blokes get into, it's close enough to reality to be amusing.

This is in the road movie genre about a group of 4 middle aged men tackling a long distance walk in the North of England.

It is set against the backdrop of the lovely scenery of the Coast to Coast walk. This is standard film fare - so far so good. I quite liked the sound of a fly on the wall documentary although I naturally incline towards the traditional.

Unfortunately, the execution is very poor. It just seems like a badly made amateur video, containing characters who are not particularly well drawn and who are generally unlikeable.

Like an amateurish version of "The Trip" with Coogan and Brydon, minus the jokes, and the charm that many find there.

I wouldn't normally give a score as low as 2, and usually resent the sort of reviewer who would happily give such a score, but it really is that bad