The Outrun Shows Us Saoirse Ronan at Her Most Transcendent

As a connoisseur of poignant cinema with a penchant for stories that delve deep into the human spirit, I must say that The Outrun left me utterly spellbound. Saoirse Ronan‘s performance is nothing short of breathtaking, her portrayal of Rona resonating deeply with my own experiences and struggles.


Back in January at the Sundance Film Festival, I had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts on “The Outrun.” Now, with this captivating film gracing our local theaters, I’m thrilled to bring that review back to your attention. Enjoy the cinematic journey!

In the moving drama “The Outrun” directed by Nora Fingscheidt, Saoirse Ronan delivers an exceptional, transformative portrayal. She plays a woman striving to restart her life in her childhood home on the Orkney Islands following her return from London. The movie, adapted from Amy Liptrot’s 2016 memoir about addiction and recovery, frequently shifts between the protagonist’s current situation and her turbulent past as a London-based alcoholic. It also skips through various stages of her recovery, not adhering strictly to a straightforward narrative. This leaves much of the storytelling to Ronan’s powerful performance, as we witness her character’s journey primarily through her expressions and movements.

In the region of Orkney, it’s believed that individuals who have drowned transform into seals, which we call selkies. Rona shares this lore at the film’s onset, narrating in voice-over. “At the peak tides, they shed their seal skins in the night and appear on land as beautiful beings,” she explains. “And they dance together, bare, under the moonlight.” The movie then transitions from graceful underwater scenes to Rona, seemingly submerged in a club illuminated by blue light waves. She goes on to explain that if selkies are spotted by others, they’ll be trapped on land, always yearning for the sea. This is followed by a scene of Rona entering an empty bar near closing time, trying to finish off glasses and bottles left behind. Her cheerful, tipsy demeanor quickly turns aggressive when a bouncer attempts to evict her. Before long, she’s lying face down in the street.

The movie could initially seem like it’s all about the grim reality of reckless indulgence, but the director invites us to appreciate the seductive charm of Rona’s wild, drunken lifestyle without shying away from its devastating aftermath. The film frequently transitions into captivating sequences that depict Rona’s descent into the city, a journey marked by the destruction of her friendships, job, and relationship due to her addiction. These sequences are contrasted with glimpses of life in the Orkneys, offering a stark comparison between the thrill of the nightlife and the serene beauty of the islands. The film’s allure lies in its visual and auditory appeal, inviting us to immerse ourselves in its enchanting portrayal of hedonism and self-discovery, where the pulsating rhythm of techno beats, the chaos of wild nights, and the soothing sounds of waves crashing against desolate shores all blend together. I believe the movie intends for us to get lost within it.

Despite Rona’s return to her family, there’s still an undercurrent of strife in her life. Her father (Stephen Dillane) suffers from bipolar disorder, and her mother (Saskia Reeves) is deeply immersed in religion, possibly as a means to heal her own emotional scars. The interactions among them reveal a profound sense of loneliness. Rona engages with AA groups, spends time with her mom and friends, assists her dad with his sheep and fields, yet each family member appears to grapple with their personal struggles independently. A haunting look in Saoirse Ronan’s eyes suggests that she finds the world a frightening place. Though Rona manages to stay almost a year sober, it’s evident that she seldom experiences true tranquility.

In simpler terms, the movie “The Outrun” portrays Rona’s experiences living in a remote region, filled with vivid descriptions of its local customs, wildlife, and landscapes. The film uses narration, old footage, photos, and animations to convey these elements. Rona, who holds a degree in biology, has worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and studied seaweed, believing it could save our planet. She also shares tales of the Mester Stoor Worm, a legendary sea monster said to have a tail encircling the world and causing natural disasters with its foul breath and fiery liver. These stories symbolize our insignificance amid nature yet hint at a desire for power over it. This theme of struggle, hope, and frustration drives the entire film, particularly Rona’s performance. Ultimately, “The Outrun” explores how our quest for control and certainty often leads to losing what little we already possess.

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2024-10-05 01:53