The Outrun review: Saoirse Ronan is a force of nature in poetic addiction drama

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for poignant and powerful performances, I must say that Saoirse Ronan absolutely shines in “The Outrun”. This movie is a testament to her versatility as an actress, breathing life into a complex character grappling with addiction in the most authentic and gripping way.


In my gaming world, I’d say: “Once more, Saoirse Ronan showcases her remarkable acting chops in the unconventional yet enchanting and poetic film, ‘The Outrun.’ This movie delves into the complexities of addiction, a challenge that I, as a gamer, can only imagine.

This narrative comes alive through the performances of an Irish actor, mirroring the autobiographical book by Amy Liptrot that shares the same title.

Ronan’s character goes from wild nights roaming London streets, to assisting with lamb birth on a Scottish farm, to investigating corncrake populations in secluded islands – an unpredictable and remarkable journey. Despite this, it’s Ronan’s strong performance that leaves a lasting impression even after the movie ends.

In this film, a wealth of vivid imagery and intriguing concepts hold the audience’s attention. However, due to the rapid transitions between past and present, it is primarily the performance of the actor – along with her distinctive hair color – that anchors viewers and ensures the plot remains coherent.

The Outrun review: Saoirse Ronan is a force of nature in poetic addiction drama

“Outrunning the Past

Her addiction not only negatively impacts her but also affects her friends, especially her partner Daynin, portrayed by Paapa Essiedu. He’s seen her experience both her peak moments and her valley lows throughout the years, feeling powerless to assist her during each relapse and struggling to trust her after every broken promise.

Leaving behind her life in London and returning to her childhood roots, Rona battles to maintain sobriety and self-understanding as she seeks a path towards healing.

On the page, the narrative appears much like other addiction tales, boasting uplifting themes. Yet, Director Nora Fingscheidt skillfully weaves elements from Liptrot’s creative writing into a vibrant, engaging, and energetic retelling of the story.

The Outrun review: Saoirse Ronan is a force of nature in poetic addiction drama

In the film, there’s a rich blend of symbolism that links together elements of nature, mankind, science, and folklore, all serving to illustrate the mental condition of the character named Rona.

The story draws upon Celtic mythology and Orcadian folklore for its narrative structure, subtly suggesting that Rona is similar to a selkie at the film’s outset – mystical sea creatures who, when forced into human existence, are doomed to be “perpetually unsatisfied” because they truly belong in the ocean. This symbolic representation cleverly expresses the feeling of being unfulfilled or lost within one’s own life, without fully understanding why.

In “The Outrun,” Rona’s character as a possible selkie ties into the symbolic meaning behind her constantly changing hair color, which has its own narrative.

As she descends further into her addiction, her blue hair gradually fades away, replaced by an orange hue. This transformation signifies her severing ties with her past self, represented perhaps by the sea, as she becomes consumed by her struggle. The changing hair colors serve as a visual guide for the audience, helping them navigate the story’s non-linear progression in time.

The Outrun review: Saoirse Ronan is a force of nature in poetic addiction drama

One captivating feature of “The Outrun” lies in its faithful portrayal of the world from Rona’s unique and whimsical viewpoint.

She frequently paints her everyday life with grand narratives to help make sense of her surroundings, sometimes turning to science for logical solutions, such as explaining the scientific reason behind alcohol addiction. At times, the complexities of our issues can be overwhelming, and our minds seek alternative perspectives for comprehension.

Reorganizing these thoughts for clarity: The blend of various aspects on-screen creates striking instances, yet it sometimes feels excessive in its symbolic representation and meandering in its plot development. Frequently, the narrative becomes stagnant as it delves deeply into the character’s mind, often losing direction.

Although the tale may lose its freshness occasionally, nevertheless, the visual storytelling consistently maintains an exhilarating quality due to its skillful fusion of concepts, textures, and mediums, ranging from vintage photographs to animated sequences.

Alongside Saoirse Ronan’s remarkable acting, this film stands out as a significant accomplishment, much like Rona herself, it interprets and expresses the world in a distinctive, poetic manner.

The Outrun review: Saoirse Ronan is a force of nature in poetic addiction drama

The Outrun is arriving in UK cinemas on September 27.

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2024-09-24 14:49

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