The Outrun is a beautifully tender, heartfelt and realistic portrayal of healing. Saoirse Ronan is enigmatic in all roles she plays, the talent she has is remarkable. Ronan made this one feel fun, scary, funny, exciting and terrifying all at once.
However, this was no easy watch, there were graphics scenes actualising the reality of alcoholism, how easily it can take hold of anyone. The juxtaposition between Rona’s busy London life partying and drinking compared to the still, quiet life of the Orkney Islands, really put into perspective the brutality of this illness.
Below I have attached some of my favourite stills from the film. The use of colour in this film aids the storytelling, not just the use of Rona’s coloured hair, pinpointing where we are in time but throughout the scenes on the Orkney Islands, the tones of blues and greens shone through. The use of this blue toned light added to that feeling of cold loneliness which is so often present in times of healing. I think if you’ve ever had to remove yourself and put yourself first to heal, you will know what this feels like.
However, the scenes where Rona was in active addiction, in London, we were brought more mellow and blurred tones of yellows, emulating the warm buzz you get from alcohol induced partying. It felt sticky and strong.
My Rating:
Overall I would rate The Outrun a 4/5. It was beautifully shot, beautifully acted, the soundtrack was PERFECT. I found that towards the end I was ready for it to end, not because I wasn’t enjoying it but more that I was tired. It was tiring watching someone navigate something so difficult, I felt I was constantly hoping she wouldn’t mess up, to just make it one more day.