Jamie has moved over to London from Ireland, igniting an obsession with seeing as much cinema as he can. He's a fan of animation and will most likely cry if there is a dog on screen. You can find more of his writing on Instagram.
Jamie says...
I found this film pretty tough to watch. Based on Amy Liptrot's impactful memoir, The Outrun is an unblinking look at alcoholism, family trauma, and taking care of yourself. Saoirse Ronan plays Rona, who we see now living in Orkney to rehabilitate after suffering from addiction while studying in London. The honesty in The Outrun is striking, as from present day to flashbacks, we get more and more of Rona's character, building her brick by brick.
Addiction isn't a new topic in film, but The Outrun portrays it with such genuine care and understanding it feels like seeing a brand new perspective on it. Liptrot's writing allows director Nora Fingscheidt to dramatically explore this topic without trivialising what Rona is going through. I will forever be in awe of Saoirse Ronan, but even without my bias, she is delivering a breathtaking performance, along with an incredible supporting cast of characters that round out the film.
Technically, the film brings a lot too, with stunning camera work, particularly in the flashbacks. We don't get a lot of music in the film, only what is playing from Rona's headphones, but we do get an immersive soundscape – an ambient island chorus. Films that premiere long before a general release can sometimes be hurt by the slow build of anticipation, but for me, The Outrun certainly deserves the praise. I will be adding to that hype anytime there is a gap in any conversation.
Lucy, 17
Lucy is a 17-year-old film fan who loves cinematography and visual storytelling. She loves a compelling, often flawed, character, and an excellent script.
Lucy says…
"The urge to drink can come out of nowhere." Nora Fingsheidt's The Outrun is an absorbing piece of cinema that translates Amy Liptrot's memoir of the same name into a gorgeous visual story, with the stark landscapes and powerful tides of the Orkney Islands taking centre stage alongside Saoirse Ronan, who delivers a compelling performance as Rona, an alcoholic battling with her addiction.
Ronan's performance creates an intimate portrait of the struggles of alcoholism, and it is her portrayal of Rona that anchors the film, which can be difficult to follow at times due to the non-linear structure. The film flits between Rona's past and present, the chaos of her life in London harshly contrasted with the total solitude of the sparsely inhabited Orkney islands, where she returns home after getting sober.
The soundscape is integral to the film, from the techno beats that underscore Rona's life in London to the haunting stillness of life on Orkney, punctuated by the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks below, helicopters flitting between islands, and the distinctive calls of the many native birds, which provide Rona with a purpose as she works to protect the Corncrakes from extinction.
Ronan's stellar performance, alongside the enchanting backdrop of the Orkney Islands, makes this film soar. However, it leaves something to be desired as the disorienting camera movements and chaotic structure take you out of what is otherwise a stunning piece of independent filmmaking.
Millie, 22
Millie is a Film Studies and English Literature graduate, passionate about writing and deep-diving into the subtext of a film. Millie is a sucker for arthouse films, classic book-to-film adaptations and When Harry Met Sally. Find more of her writing at @millieberrywrites.
Millie says…
The blistering, unforgiving gales and roaring waves crashing against the isolated Orkney islands of Scotland run parallel to the constant storm raging within protagonist Rona's mind. At first, she attempts to silence both – drowning the internal and external noise out with the music in her headphones – before realising that she connects deeply with nature and it awakens her senses. The island feels planets apart from the built-up, urban jungle of London. The natural open landscape juxtaposes the rammed clubs drowning in pink strobe lighting.
Saoirse Ronan lays all bare in this raw adaptation of Amy Liptrot's memoir of the same name. Rona is a deeply complex character, whose story of recovery isn't linear, and Ronan transforms into this role spectacularly.
The film details the reality of addiction and the never-ending road to recovery in a raw manner. The cinematography greatly aids this, providing the audience with an intensely intimate, almost invasive look at Rona's struggle with addiction. The movement of the camera mimics Rona's intoxication, shakily moving around the streets of London. This crafts a feeling of confusion on the screen, and we are situated in Rona's mind. The close-ups are just as breathtakingly beautiful as the wide shots of the Orkney Islands, the camera tenderly capturing the flecks surrounding Rona's irises and her lightly chipped fingernails.
The audience is tightly strapped to Rona for the duration of The Outrun – we hold our breath, rooting deeply for her, as she walks the rocky path to sobriety.
Zara, 24
Zara is a Film Studies and Philosophy graduate who loves the cinematic sensory experience. Currently working at a literary agency, she is always chasing after the next best film adaptation of her favourite books.
Zara says…
Refreshing, honest, and sometimes brutal, Nora Fingscheidt's The Outrun is the hard-hitting story of Rona, who returns home to her parents in Orkney, following a battle with alcohol addiction in London.
A standout performance (unsurprisingly) is delivered by Saoirse Ronan, who also takes the co-producing reins for the first time on this adaptation of Amy Liptrot's memoir. Rona is a complex and difficult character, and Ronan quite possibly goes through every conceivable emotion in the 118-minute runtime. Some excellent camera work, putting us in Rona's headspace as she goes on drunken rampages, only elevates her performance. Rounded out with a select few additional characters, including some local Orcadians, the remaining cast provides an authentic backdrop for Ronan's character to play off of.
It would be impossible to talk about this film without mentioning the spectacular sound design. All-encompassing crashing waves, bird screeches, insect chirping and howling wind accentuate the spectacular visuals, placing us right in the thick of the Orkney Islands alongside Rona. Her connection to nature and the elements is beautifully portrayed, aided by well-timed thunderclaps and waves breaking on rocks. A particular highlight is a sequence when Rona conducts an orchestra of natural elements, creating a symphony of sounds from the island's coast.
The stunning backdrop of the Orkney Islands, intense soundscape, and superb performance from Saoirse Ronan, makes this a must-see on the big screen.
