The Outrun

Ten miles from the northernmost tip of the Scottish Highlands, separated only by the formidable North Sea, lie the Orkney Islands. Wind-battered and barren, they are scarcely inhabited, and almost too harsh even for the dwindling corncrake population. Yet, for Saoirse Ronan’s Rona, their wild, isolated beauty is the perfect place to find solace as she embarks on her long journey of recovery

Based on Amy Liptrot's memoir, co-adapted by Liptrot and director Nora Fingscheidt, the film chronicles Rona's journey through alcoholism. It spans from the hedonistic, booze-filled nights in London, where she was pursuing her PhD, to her time in rehab, and the traumatic incident that brought her back to Scotland, where she now leads a sober life. The narrative shifts back and forth, with the color of her dyed hair marking the different phases of her story.

The portrayal of alcoholism is raw and unflinching. We witness how it devastates every aspect of Rona's life: vicious words strain her relationships, depressive episodes derail her career, and reckless decisions take a toll on her body. Unlike the almost glamorous depictions of lovable rogues in films like A Star is Born and Flight, this portrayal is marked by blood, shame, and vomit. Saoirse Ronan delivers a career-defining performance, bringing the character to life. As Amy Liptrot noted in The Guardian, Ronan recreated her essence 'authentically enough to fool my child and to confuse and thrill me.'

Rona’s support network of friends and families are almost equally complex, with further impeccable performances from Papa Essidu, who plays her partner through the depths of her illness, and parents Andrew and Annie- Stephan Dillane and Saskia Reeves. We see how Rona’s disposition is echoed in that of her parents, who have separated due to Andrew’s ongoing battle with bipolar. She continues to relentlessly support her father, even in the midst of her own crisis, perhaps because she understands him more than anyone else.

Ultimately though, hope shines through despair. Juxtaposed between the most challenging scenes, are moments of pure joy found in the Island. The unrelenting gales and waves crashing on the shore sound like an orchestra and are as cathartic to Rona as the driving techno she blasts through her headphones. Comfort is also found in quieter moments, such as her volunteer work with the RSPB, where she is forced to find peace amid the monotony. It is a deeply nuanced film that reflects the subject at its core with grace and compassion.