Three and Out?

The longer in the tooth you get you learn there are two things you should never be judgemental about, relationships and suicides.

A film has been criticised by train driver's union ASLEF for its portrayal of deaths on the London Underground. "Three and Out" features a driver who witnesses two accidents and is told if a third person dies he will lose his job but will get a "huge payoff".

Writing on the union's website general secretary Keith Norman said the plot was "insulting and foolish". The distribution company said the light-hearted film took "great care" to handle "heartfelt issues" sensitively.

The driver, played by actor McKenzie Crook, witnesses two accidental deaths while at work and is traumatised by it, the film company said. But he sets out to seek the third person to give up their life under his train after colleagues explain that he will receive "enough cash to pay off his debts and retire to a Scottish idyll".

Now some things need to be said:

Firstly, the entire premise of the movie is false (there are no "pay offs") and I agree with ASLEF as suicide or attempted suicide is a serious matter and it causes great trauma to drivers and those involved in the unedifying aftermath.

Secondly, the Underground is not a good place to pursue this thought as most attempts actually end in hideous injuries, not to mention the distress to staff, police and para-medics who are just going about their job and passengers (including children) who are just trying to get from A to B. Selfish and distressing behaviour indeed.

Thirdly, potential suicides are not in control, are suffering from severe depression for which they need help and assistance and are highly suggestible so publicity about suicides will actually result in more attempts and unwarranted deaths or in most cases, grotesque injuries. People who survive generally move on and can't believe they made such an irrational judgement at a point in their lives when they were uniquely vulnerable.

Here is the Movie trailer to make up your own mind but do we really need to make movies like this to make money? Suspect this is another British World Beater which won't beat anything.

http://threeandoutmovie.com/