Watch Coming Down the Mountain

Coming Down the Mountain is a heartwarming and poignant movie that tells the story of two brothers - one with Down Syndrome - who share a deep bond and journey together to find their place in the world. The film paints a touching and nuanced portrait of disability, brotherhood, and the transformative power of love and acceptance. The story takes place in a small English town nestled among rolling hills and quaint cottages. David (played by Nicholas Hoult) is a troubled teenager plagued by a sense of aimlessness and frustration with his circumstances. His younger brother, Ben (played by Tommy Jessop), has Down Syndrome and is deeply affectionate, imaginative, and often childlike in his behavior. Although David loves Ben deeply, he struggles with feelings of resentment and embarrassment about his brother's disability, which often causes social awkwardness and disapproval for David among his peers.

As the film begins, David is withdrawn and isolated, intensely focused on the rise and fall of local rockstar Tommy Saxondale (played by Neil Dudgeon). Meanwhile, Ben spends his days playing with his beloved toy model train and dreaming of adventures beyond his small town. However, their static routines are soon upturned when the boys' mother passes away suddenly, leaving them to fend for themselves with only their well-meaning but often absent father (played by James Fox) for support.

As David struggles to cope with his mother's death and his mounting responsibilities as Ben's caretaker, he begins to see his little brother in a new light. Through a chance encounter with local shopkeeper Mary (played by Julia Ford), David and Ben embark on a life-changing journey to a remote Scottish island, where they discover unexpected truths about themselves, each other, and the world they inhabit.

The movie features stellar performances from a talented cast, particularly Nicholas Hoult and Tommy Jessop. Hoult imbues his character David with a raw emotional intensity that makes his journey from anger and resentment to acceptance and love deeply affecting. Jessop, meanwhile, brings an irresistible charm and innocence to Ben, capturing the joy and wonder of a young man with an often-misunderstood condition. Together, they create a bond that feels authentic and heartwarming from the first frame to the last.

Director Julie Anne Robinson, working from a script by Mark Haddon (author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), does an admirable job of balancing the film's emotional beats with moments of humor and levity. The Scottish island setting provides a lush and evocative backdrop for the story, and the film's score - featuring original songs by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy - adds to the film's dreamy and uplifting tone.

Overall, Coming Down the Mountain is a touching and thought-provoking movie that tackles themes of disability, family, and personal growth with sensitivity and grace. Equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching, it is a film that will leave audiences with a renewed sense of love, courage, and hope in the face of life's many challenges. It is a must-watch for any cinephile seeking a powerful cinematic experience that will resonate long after the credits roll.