Downtime (1997)

Indian-born Bharat Nalluri directed this British thriller, set in a rundown Newcastle housing project in northeast England. Suicidal Irishwoman Chrissy (Susan Lynch) is on the brink of jumping from a 21st-story balcony with her four-year-old son Jake (Adam Johnston). Former police psychologist Rob (Paul McGann) tries to talk her inside. After she survives, Rob realizes he's attracted to her. Teen arsonists threaten the apartment of Chrissy's neighbor Jan (Denise Bryson) and her husband Jimmy (Tom Georgeson). Their own son Kevin (David Horsefield) is in cahoots with the gang. When Chrissy and Rob leave to go on a date, they are trapped in an elevator along with Jake and Jimmy's elderly father (Birdy Sweeney) after gang members tamper with the elevator's engine room. Filmed in Liverpool and shown at the 1997 London Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi