Coming Down the Mountain (2007) (TV)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Julie Anne Robinson

Writer:

Mark Haddon (written by)

Release Date:

2 September 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An original drama by novelist Mark Haddon about two teenage brothers: angst-ridden David and Ben, who has Downs Syndrome. |

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Nicholas Hoult	...	David Philips
Tommy Jessop	...	Ben Philips
Julia Ford	...	Sheila Philips
Neil Dudgeon	...	John Philips
Emer Kenny	...	Gail
Katie Griffiths	...	Alice
Karen Bryson	...	London Teacher
Brendan Heaney	...	Gary Jeavons
Josh Cohen	...	Rob
Omar Brown	...	Small Kid
Charlotte Grant	...	Abby
Emon Hussain	...	Sunil
Christopher Hanvey	...	Tattoo Man
Ian Gain	...	DJ
Rajvinder Lali	...	Yasmin

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Tiger Aspect Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: David is seen self-harming by cutting himself on his arms. When he writes a postcard to Alice, he says (in voiceover) "Mum has seen the scars on my arms". However the writing on the card says "Mum has seen the scars on my chest".

Excellent Drama

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I was intrigued by this drama from the start and was rewarded for watching it. Great performances from Nicholas Hoult and Tommy Jessop and excellent writing from Mark Haddon following on from his brilliant novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. I empathised so much with Ben and how he was treated by his horrible parents and yet the film portrays so much about human relationships particularly relationships with children/adults with special needs. I know from working with adults with special needs how much that interaction has added to the richness of my life experience. I highly recommend this drama to anyone bored with the some of the dross churned out by Hollywood.

Go for it!!