Written by: Nora Fingscheidt & Amy Liptrot
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Nabil Elouahabi, Izuka Hoyle, Lauren Lyle
Rating: [2.5/5]
The work of a lead actor, when on a certain level, can carry the worst films, but how far they can carry them varies. At times they can only carry them so far, as we see in The Outrun with its well-meaning story and incredible lead performance. However, its narrative just does not muster much momentum and ultimately because of its deficiencies squanders away the work of an acting great in the process.
Dealing with the ramifications of her alcoholism, Rona (Saoirse Ronan) returns to live with her father in the Orkney Islands of Scotland after some time in London. As she attempts to get her life in order, she flashed back to her darkest moments, where her abuse of alcohol led to the damaging of her relationships, leaving her in a place where she needed to seek a change if she wanted to survive.
Stories centered on addiction tap into a struggle that from the outside appears easy to overcome, but anyone who has experienced it can share the isolation and helplessness that emanates from it. This feeling makes individuals have to make drastic decisions if they want to end this cycle for themselves. Many films have tackled this subject to varying degrees of success, but unfortunately, The Outrun falls into the pile of those that do not succeed, mostly because its meandering pacing makes it a bit of a chore to watch.
The consistent proliferation of films reckoning with individual journeys battling addiction certainly does not help given every new release needs to bring at least something new to really stand out. The Outrun perhaps seeks to provide something new by way of setting the majority of this story in an isolated location within Scotland. We certainly get the beautiful countryside to take in as it serves as an ideal place for someone to settle in and self-reflect as a form of rehabilitation. However, utilizing a location such as this one thus requires plenty of patience, as no hustle and bustle exists here. The pacing in this instance matters heavily, and with a runtime of nearly two hours, this film continued to limp along while not maintaining a fully engaging story all the way through.
On paper, this film should work given Rona’s story and the way she not only finds community among the people of the Orkney Islands but also how living in the same area as her father given the ailments he contends with himself. Many of these elements come together fairly well in the grand scheme of the story but the issue, once again, falls on the execution of it all and how it fails to come together. An unfortunate reality given that the lead at the center of it all, Soirse Ronan, did everything she could to elevate it.
Very much a vehicle in need for someone like Ronan, this film puts plenty on her shoulder to deliver something moving. A role such as this one required vulnerability, heart, and internal power as this complicated character goes through a grueling gauntlet and must come out sane on the other side. Unsurprisingly, Ronan does an incredible job in channeling everything this story required of her and then some. Portraying Rona shows Ronan wants to continue to push herself as an actor, as it stands out within her filmography. Playing a deeply flawed character like this strays away from what she typically gravitates towards thus far in her career. As she spreads her wings, we enjoy the fruit of her performance, given she needs to carry this film on her shoulders. While she thrives, she unfortunately stars in a role where the overall production fails her.
Stories about addiction are not far and few between, and rightfully so, given how so many individuals face this particular issue at some point in their lives. The Outrun aims to shed light on yet another story of someone overcoming what sits at the root of her issues and how finding purpose and community helps her overcome this obstacle in life. However, the manner in which it gets presented more than leaves plenty to be desired as the film inches along and jumps around through a nonlinear timeline, making it all feel quite underwhelming even if Saoirse Ronan drops another stellar performance.
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