A Long Way Down

You might want to skip right through to the bottom.

I have started on A Long Way Down, this novel by Nick Hornby. Admittedly, it's a raucous read. I meant it in a good way. Like how Pulp Fiction might have been a little troublesome to watch for some who think and process linearly.

Pessimists, and for that matter, optimists, are great searchers. Because they are able to find sadness in the the tightest of crannies and the tiniest of nooks. Correspondingly, optimists are able to find happiness and hope at the very same spots. I shan't label them delusionists or anything negative at all. Because optimism is seldom frowned upon and so I suppose is more socially accepted. Like, nobody seeks help in being too joyful right? But people seek psychiatric help when they feel depressed by all the pessimism around. But that would be associating pessimism with sadness. I am sure there are happy pessimists around. Or would that be an oxymoron?

I fancy myself abit like a closet pessimist. Waiting to come out. There's social stigma and the embarrassment associated with the inability to grab life by the horns when you're a pessimist.

I'll just lift something from the novel and describe it a little.

This is how Jess, one of the novel's 4 main character, interpretes JJ's reason for committing suicide and shares it with Maureen and Martin. JJ used to be in a rock band but due to circumstances was disbanded and how he can never live the life he enjoys and finds meaning in.

"You thought you were going to be someone, but now it's obvious you're nobody. You haven't got as much talent as you thought you had, and there was no plan B, and you got no skills and no education, and now you're looking at forty or fifty years of nothing. Less than nothing probably. That's pretty heavy. That's worse than having the brain thing, because what you got now will take a lot longer to kill you. You've got the choice of a slow painful death, or a quick merciful one."

You see, that's where alot of people are at. Not that everyone wants to be in a rock band. But to do something that gives you tremendous joy and satisfaction. But the rules of life are not decided by you. So you're dealt with shitty cards. Maybe you're dealt with great cards, for a game of Bridge but everyone else wants to play 大弟 ("die-dee" some card game).

This is where Maureen has what JJ defines as "music rage" - the rage one gets when people don't get the music, and talks about Nick Drake's music after listening to Five Leaves Left:

"This is how I feel, every day, and people don't want to know that. They want to know that I'm feeling what Tom Jones makes you feel. Or that Australian girl who used to be in Neighbours. But I feel like this, and they won't play what I feel on the radio, because people that are sad don't fit in."

I have not finished the book but Johnny Depp, who has bought the movie rights for the book before the initial release, reckons that the book has got some of the most outstanding characters. I'll get down to the quick and dirty, why I'm writing such a boring long post. I'm dreaming up my dream cast (like what else is there?). This will probably be relevant to those who've read the book.

JJ - Johnny Depp: American character, rock "star" in semi-retirement mode, sensitive, willy to participate but not share himself. I'm almost quite sure of this. Well, let's say if Mr Depp did not purchase the movie rights, this role could have gone to Joaquin Phoenix? That'll be right after playing Johnny Cash. I don't know. Think Johnny Depp fits this role.




Martin - Alan Rickman: Failed morning show presenter. Celebrity who was jailed for sleeping with a minor unwittingly (unwillingly too perhaps). Sharp, sarcastic with a more sophisticated taste in most things than the others. Now a presenter on a crappy unknown cable channel.

Maureen - Fiona Shaw: Most probably recognisable as Aunt Petunia in Harry Potter series. But she'd be brilliant as Maureen, the 50something single mom with a mentally challenged son. Catholic and questioning, stereotypical sad British housewife, self-effacing, polite to a fault and closed.




Jess - Emma Watson: Another Harry Potter alumni. This goes to show I have limited knowledge of British actors/actresses. Young, rude (or blatantly honest), intense, slightly mental. This could be a good vehicle for her to break from her Hermione role. No, Kiera Knightley is not suitable.


The soundtrack should feature Nick Drake of course. And hopefully the best of British music these days. NO ARTIC MONKEYS. Craig Armstrong hopefully. Together with Nelle Hooper!