Why Saoirse Ronan’s moment is right now
1
In contemplating the extraordinary journey of Saoirse Ronan, I find myself awestruck by her remarkable transformation and resilience. Her life, much like the characters she portrays, is a captivating tapestry woven with highs, lows, and a myriad of emotions in between.
A nugget of wisdom from Saoirse Ronan’s career has consistently resonated with her. This pearl of advice came at a time when she was 12 years old and landed the role in “Death Defying Acts” alongside Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Despite receiving an Academy Award nomination (one of four she’s had so far) for “Atonement,” Ronan still felt apprehensive because her character didn’t speak much.
Ronan expressed his concern by asking, ‘Mom, how can I work if there are no lines for me to say?’ To this, his mom replied, ‘Remember, my dear, actions speak louder than words. You can convey a story just as effectively through your expressions and eyes.’
In the novel “The Outrun,” a poetic reinterpretation of Amy Liptrot’s raw 2016 memoir about addiction, Saoirse Ronan fully immerses herself in the advice given within. Her portrayal of Rona, a fictionalized character based on Liptrot, showcases the pinnacle of storytelling using every acting skill at her disposal. As an alcoholic who journeys to the secluded Scottish islands of Orkney during her recovery, Ronan expresses a wide range of emotions — sorrow, anger, shame, happiness, amazement — frequently appearing solo in scenes and weaving the narrative through her facial expressions and eye contact as much as with voiceover narration. This captivating, emotionally charged performance could potentially earn Ronan an invitation to the Oscars podium.
Currently, Ronan finds herself comfortably seated at the dining table of her London residence, a shared space with her husband, Jack Lowden, famously known for his role in “Slow Horses.” They exchanged vows earlier this year, and their home is also occupied by Stella, their charmingly shaggy-haired canine companion. The house is brimming with books of all kinds, while maps of Scotland adorn numerous walls due to Lowden’s ancestry. Interviewing Ronan, aged 30, who relaxes in a “Friends” T-shirt and jeans while sipping tea, feels like chatting with an old friend. It comes as no surprise that directors often describe her as both proficient and unflappable, traits she’s honed throughout her years working on film sets since her childhood.
In my own words as a movie reviewer: “For me, acting is more of an art than a way of life. I’m not a Method actor; instead, I find joy in the technical aspects of transforming myself into a character. It’s like stepping into work in the morning and powering up the computer, or picking up an instrument and playing a melody. I believe it’s time to debunk that common misconception about always being ‘in character.’ I’m not.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share my thoughts on “The Outrun,” hitting theaters on Oct 4th. This film holds a unique significance as it marks Saoirse Ronan’s debut as a producer, a role she’s been pondering for some time now and has even dabbled in writing and directing.
She read it just as quickly, discovering a personal tether to the story. Ronan says she has watched people close to her struggle with alcoholism. She describes it as “something that has played a huge part in my life, battling for the love and the attention of someone and them not being able to choose me over this substance.” But it’s never been a subject she’s felt ready to explore onscreen until now.
Ronan finds Liptrot’s book profoundly moving and intense without crossing the line into excessive sentimentality,” he says. “Moreover, he notes that it’s captivating to see a young woman portrayed on screen battling alcohol addiction, as it offers a unique perspective.
During the pandemic, Ronan and Lowden collaborated with producers Dominic Norris and Sarah Brocklehurst, who had already secured the rights to the memoir. For approximately two years, they endeavored to persuade various studios to invest in it, as many felt it wasn’t commercially viable according to Ronan. After a while, they brought on German screenwriter and director Nora Fingscheidt, who initially thought the book was unsuitable for adaptation but later proved to be a crucial creative ally in the project.
Speaking over Zoom, Fingscheidt expressed uncertainty about structuring the movie. With half of it featuring a woman alone on a small, isolated island, there was a risk of it becoming dull. However, with Saoirse’s exceptional talent to captivate the screen, he gained confidence that indeed, this unconventional approach could succeed.
Fingscheidt structured the storyline in three interconnected segments: Rona’s life on Orkney, her lively days in London, and a section referred to as the “nerd layer,” where Rona shares facts about Orkney, science, and Scottish folklore. Since English is not Fingscheidt’s native language, she wrote the script with flexibility, allowing the actors to determine their dialogue.
Ronan expressed that it was somewhat unconventional for her to work in that manner, having written several lines for Rona herself. However, she felt more assured because this experience allowed her to create her own content when the time came for film development. This gave her the opportunity to express herself through dialogue using her unique voice.
“The Outrun” was filmed in 2022, primarily in London and the Orkney Islands, including the secluded town of Papay, where the protagonist, Rona, retreats to a cottage amidst the harsh winter. To get ready for her role, Rona collaborated with choreographer Wayne McGregor and immersed herself in various podcasts focusing on addiction, such as “Hooked” by Melissa Rice. She even accompanied a friend to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, admitting that she was apprehensive about participating.
Ronan remembers feeling uncomfortable about being present, as he could understand their perspective since he had experienced the opposite before. Despite the lingering bitterness, rage, bewilderment, and sorrow, he’s content that he went through with it.
In the movie, Rona frequently gets drunk and seems oblivious to how her persistent drinking affects those close to her. This group includes her boyfriend, Daynin (played by Paapa Essiedu), and her mother (Saskia Reeves), who also struggles with managing her husband’s mental illness (portrayed by Stephen Dillane). To portray a drunk character, Ronan utilized advice she had received from Greta Gerwig during the making of “Lady Bird.
As a movie enthusiast, I recall Greta pointing out an interesting observation: when individuals are intoxicated, their utmost desire is to conceal their state, so they strive extra hard to appear sober by over-articulating. This insight resonated with me significantly during the filming of ‘The Outrun.’ My initial thought was, I must capture the essence of drunkenness accurately. I need to inject variation into it, and above all, portray its heaviness authentically.
Additionally, she considered Stephen Graham’s acting in the 2019 British miniseries “The Virtues,” which Ronan described as “the most authentic depiction of an alcoholic I have witnessed, capturing the spiraling descent accurately.
Ronan’s portrayal received approval from Liptrot, a crucial figure. The author expressed, over Zoom, “When I watch Saoirse, it feels like she embodies a lot of me.” During the initial reading, it was clear that she grasped the nuances in the lines and their multiple meanings. Her ability to express so much with her facial expressions was truly remarkable. Time and again, she returned to intense emotional scenes, showcasing an astounding level of endurance and dedication.
Many individuals who have collaborated with Ronan express similar dedication, which has been instrumental in her progressing beyond a child actor. She’s demonstrated this versatility, starting with roles in movies like “Atonement” and “The Lovely Bones,” and expanding into a distinguished career spanning projects such as Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women,” Francis Lee’s “Ammonite,” and Steve McQueen’s upcoming World War II drama, “Blitz.
Ronan pinpoints her career turning point to the 2015 movie “Brooklyn,” an emotional immigration story where she worked with director John Crowley, just following her move from Ireland to London at the age of 19.
Ronan recalls struggling to leave home because he missed it so much, but he didn’t want to return – it felt like leaving ‘Brooklyn.’ No one had ever challenged him like [John] did before. He handled him as an adult actor, and that took Ronan by surprise, leaving a small mark.
The outcome led to another Oscar nomination for Ronan, which Crowley attributes to the “emotional exposure Saoirse could express on set every day.
The director reminisced, “It seemed akin to observing someone walking on a highwire,” he said. “Yet, she managed to make it appear effortless. Granted, it wasn’t easy; it took its toll on her. However, I believe she found the role authentic and true to herself, which is why she handled it so gracefully.
Similar to Liptrot, Crowley points out Ronan’s talent for conveying a scene without dialogue. “She could have thrived in silent films,” Crowley remarks. “Her capacity to depict emotion, even with the sound off, continues to astonish me.
In “Blitz,” directed by McQueen (releasing in theaters November 1 and Apple TV+ November 22), we see Saoirse Ronan’s remarkable talent unfold as she portrays Rita, a resilient single mother trying to shield her multiracial son from the devastating German air raids over war-torn London. She had long desired to collaborate with McQueen, and the chance presented itself just as Ronan was set for a break after filming “The Outrun.” At first, Ronan doubted that another World War II production would be engaging, but…
She expresses her satisfaction but has no desire for further personal insights, she shares. It was a huge relief when Steve informed her that the story would center around a mother-son bond, delving into the lives of people back home who had been underrepresented in history books and often overlooked. What an intriguing point of view, she adds.
Rita’s emotional journey may not be as expansive as Rona’s, but it carries the same intensity of emotion. In “Blitz,” Ronan uses her singing voice for the first time and delves deeper into maturity by playing a mother character. She found it intriguing to depict the less-explored aspects of wartime experiences, specifically focusing on mixed-race couples, children, and women. (Later, she will take a comedic turn in “Bad Apples,” a story about a teacher who unintentionally kidnaps one of her students.)
Ronan expresses her ambition for something grand and spectacular when looking ahead. Her aspiration is to take on the role of a Bond villain, stating it sincerely with no trace of exaggeration or humor.
She shares that she’s worked on numerous indie films and cherishes the vibe during the production of independent movies.
In ‘The Outrun,’ there’s a climactic moment that encapsulates the essence of her running journey, much like a movie providing a deeply personal release, especially resonating with people who have struggled with addiction. Although it tackles challenging themes, it transforms into a story that embodies optimism.
Lipton often notes that the typical narrative among addicts isn’t one of recovery. It’s more usual to struggle with sobriety, yet achieving and maintaining it is not impossible. In fact, it can be a truly enchanting experience.
Still, sobriety is a day-by-day proposition, as Ronan now understands more completely.
She remarks that life is a mix of ups and downs, interspersed with periods of steady progress. If one can persevere through the tough times and find moments of happiness, those fleeting instances of joy make it all worthwhile and keep us going. Rona seems to live through every aspect of it, which gives the impression of a celebration of life in its entirety, flaws and all.
On that journey, where is Ronan herself now?
She confidently declares that she’s thriving overall, a sentiment that resonates with various aspects of her life, such as her recent marriage to Lowden and the possibility of a double Oscar win. Our conversation ends warmly, with a genuine gesture of affection, as she expresses her contentment with what she possesses, who she is with, and what she gets to experience.
Read More
- TOMI PREDICTION. TOMI cryptocurrency
- EUR TRY PREDICTION
- BLXM PREDICTION. BLXM cryptocurrency
- JK Rowling is among those named in Olympic gold medalist’s cyberbullying lawsuit
- XNA PREDICTION. XNA cryptocurrency
- Introducing the Paris 2024 Paralympic team for Great Britain
- EUR HUF PREDICTION
- GNO PREDICTION. GNO cryptocurrency
- OGN PREDICTION. OGN cryptocurrency
- HoK X EWC 2024: KPL Dream Team won without dropping a single game
2024-09-25 13:32