The 2014 British Film Festival will soon begin its run at Palace Electric Cinemas and the offerings from the Motherland are tantalisingly tempting this year. A solid range of comedies, dramas, war epics and classics are on offer as the festival hits Canberra for the second year running from Thursday 6 November until Sunday 23 November.

As a teaser for the upcoming showcase, I was given the opportunity to preview A Long Way Down. The first noticeable trait of this film was that it’s directed by Pascal Chaumell, from France. It stars four leading characters: one played by a Brit, one from America, the other from Australia; and if I’m to be picky the protagonist, played by Pierce Brosnan – was born in Ireland. Nonetheless as a whole this film was a fine example of what to expect from the British Film Festival: a heartwarming and offbeat story about four suicidal people who come together and form a friendship after they all attempt their lives on the same night on the roof of the same building.

For such a wry topic to use as a tool for comedy, A Long Way Down executes the story with charm and wit. The undertones not withstanding, the message is clear for the audience from the start that life is meant to be lived and as the movie goes on we start to see these characters truly experience life; stepping out of their comfort zones and realising that fate stepped in that night and brought them all together for a reason.

The story breaks apart and focuses on each of the four main characters, Martin (Brosnan), Maureen (Toni Collette), Jess (Imogen Poots) and JJ (Aaron Paul) as we get into their lives and their minds following the almost tragic New Year’s Day mass suicide. By far the most interesting part of this film is how each character, or actor, steals the show in each of their personal stories. I was constantly switching between who I felt was the best character. Martin is a shell of a man, portrayed with disdain and a lackadaisical approach to the world, Maureen is so timid and fragile I wanted to hug the screen to tell her its alright, Jess was as crazy and maniacal as she was funny and loveable. JJ was brilliant, torn and mysterious, and it gave Aaron Paul a chance to remind people why he’s an Emmy winner from Breaking Bad days.

Overall its a solid film, based on the novel of the same name by by Nick Hornby (About a Boy) it is an intelligent comedy that explores some very dark themes and tones, yet leaves you with a sense of warmth and zest for life after viewing. The only real problem now looking at the program for the British Film Festival is what to see next. British cinema has its own unique scene (think Love Actually) and is a fresh break from the explosions and glam of Hollywood to sit back, relax and watch a good story being told.

Check it out. There’s plenty of time to see them all! Click here to buy your tickets.

OutInCanberra has 10 Double passes to the 2014 Emirates British Film Festival to give away. To be in the running, use the entry form on this page to tell us the name of Aaron Paul’s character in Breaking Bad. Entries close 12.00pm Friday 7 November.