Amy Liptrot’s memoir gets a stunning adaptation with The Outrun, another showcase for the astonishing acting talents of Saoirse Ronan.
Ronan plays Rona, a 29-year-old who recently returned to her home in Orkney, Scotland, after a tough time in London—where she became an alcoholic and tore her life apart. Director Nora Fingscheidt tells the story in non-linear fashion, as the film time-jumps to show different stages of Rona’s downfall and sobriety attempts. Pay attention to Rona’s hair colors; it’s often the best way to keep track of where you are in the story.
The non-linear choice is good in that it shows the haggard, fuzzy state of Rona’s brain and outlook as she tries to overcome her addiction while dealing with a deeply depressed father (Stephen Dillane), a mother who’s religiously obsessed but trying to care (Saskia Reeves) and an increasingly disenchanted boyfriend (Paapa Essiedu). Everybody in the cast delivers.
The film does not fall victim to the usual tropes of addiction movies. Rona has moments of triumph, including some sobriety-day benchmarks, but all of those triumphs are tempered by the realization that the damage she has done to herself will never really go away. Sobriety will go from a second-to-second struggle to more of a daily struggle, but it will always be a struggle—something she must learn to tame.
The film does a very good job of showing that struggle and gives Ronan the opportunity for a performance that should have her in the running for an Oscar. Her portrayal of true addiction, an affliction that is permanent, is beyond memorable. It’s a true depiction of somebody who insists upon moving forward, no matter how dire the circumstances get.
The Outrun is an exhausting—and sometimes confusing—watch, as it should be. There are times when the movie can make you feel like you’ve had a few drinks yourself.
It’s a well-rounded, immersive experience that successfully relays the true horrors and sometimes helplessness of alcoholism. It’s also a realistic depiction of hope.
The Outrun is now available via various streaming services.
