The Outrun

Few movies about getting sober are as brilliant at conveying the allure of drowning, wallowing in alcohol, the emotional and physical liberation it seems to offer, as The Outrun. And rare is the story told within this most personal of experiences that exults in its trials, the gut check of “one day at a time” and the exultant release from the trap of addiction.

If you’ve ever had a friend or family struggle with an addiction, you know that nothing you say or do will change their ways. It seems to always happen at their rock bottom. Nora Fingscheidt’s feature, The Outrun, starts at the bottom.

You couldn’t sincerely argue that The Outrun brims over with plot, but its rough, maritime texture is never less than diverting. It needles. It provokes.

The Outrun is a recovery drama lifted above the genre’s necessary clichés by the star’s prickly, incandescent presence. It’s also boosted by the film’s setting in the stark Orkney Isles in the north of Scotland and by Fingscheidt’s poetic approach to time, place and chronology.

While still a fascinating filmmaking exercise, this is, unfortunately, one of those movies you can recommend to everyone. Still, The Outrun is a vehicle for Ronan’s talent, with her driving fast towards awards season.

Although sometimes baggy and uncontrolled, The Outrun is a sensitive, non-judgemental portrayal of addiction and mental illness, anchored by a typically transcendent performance from Saoirse Ronan.

On its own unvarnished, metaphoric, diary-of-destruction-and-renewal terms, The Outrun is competent and even stylishly made, yet I have to confess: I found the movie overwhelmingly drab.

What an achievement of filmmaking. An indie that doesn't scare of the dark, the water and the animals. Brave story telling narrative with a mix of different medium. Sublime sight & sound and of course a force of nature performance by Saoirse Ronan that completely swept me over.

'The Outrun' showcases a remarkable performance from Saoirse Ronan, who certainly delves into one of the most visceral roles of her career. Unfortunately, the fragmented narrative presenting the life experience of a young alcoholic doesn't do well for the character or the story, which is sabotaged by confusing editing that prevents the drama from growing organically. While the philosophical aspect and the way it explores folklore and everyday life in the Orkney Islands are interesting, the film ultimately ends up being like any other addiction story we've seen before.

The Outrun is a bold film that showcases Saoirse Ronan’s acting prowess. It also features powerful scenes depicting alcohol addiction. However, overall, it was a difficult film for me to get through.

The Outrun is a raw, intimate window into the life of an addict - both in the addiction and the recovery from it. Ronan's performance and the non-linear editing bring this to life. The editing here is the secret sauce. CONTINUE READING ON LETTERBOXD: ****/8A8gip

Já não acho a Saoirse Ronan tudo isso, e fazendo um personagem mala então, é uma tortura. Alcóolatra e com zero grau de empatia para lidar com seu relacionamento, lá pelas tantas a personagem se permite viver num retiro para "se econtrar", e tudo que há de melhor aqui se refere à natureza, porque em termos de conflitos socias o filme realmente deixa a desejar, com uma edição no mínimo duvidosa. Talvez a geração Z se importe, tendo em vista essa falta de perspectiva latente misturada com drogas lícitas ( e ilícitas), dificuldade de se relacionar e de respeitar hierarquias, e uma grande pitada de desespero em relação à saúde mental. Filme que tenta ser grande a todo custo, com a câmera e com os cortes, mas acaba sendo só mais um filme chato mesmo.