The Outrun

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⭐10/10

This is a movie that totally slipped under my radar and didn't seem to get a whole lot of traction in general. It seems like not a ton of people saw it and it never really garnered a ton of praise, having some positive but mostly middling reviews. 

Well you know me! I won't be deterred by the throngs, but will call this movie what it is: an absolute masterpiece! And because this movie was written, directed, and led by women, you can call me an ally while you're at it. 

Anyways, this movie is about Saoirse hitting rock bottom with addiction after moving to the big city, and so she moves back home to Orkney to try and heal and get away from temptation. I totally admit that this movie was made specifically for me. It is all sweeping shots of the most beautiful country in the world, moody close-ups as the waves crash over the shore, and a wonderful actress at the peak of her powers portraying a complex, often tortured person in recovery. It would be impossible for me not to like it, but it still hit me way harder than I expected. It is told in a non-linear and sometimes confusing format, and while I will say I didn't love that choice, it obviously wasn't a deal breaker for me. 

This whole movie hinges on Saoirse's performance as it is essentially a one-woman show, and she is incredible here, doing tons of non-verbal acting and showing incredible range. This movie is proof enough that the Oscars are silly because even if one didn't think this movie was a masterpiece, it is undeniable that she gives a phenomenal performance that is worth a nomination at the very least. There are also some great behind-the-scenes stories here about her commitment to this role, and it shows in terms of how natural she fits this character. People have been sleeping on Saoirse but she is very much still here. 

Addiction and mental illness can often be tough to potray in movies as it can come off as insincere, uninformed or even corny. I thought this potrayal was great. It can be torture, non-linear, hopeless, and sometimes doesn't improve despite your best efforts, and I thought that was all captured here. This movie makes some comments on the nature of generational trauma and I thought it was handled expertly with some complimentary work by Stephan Dillane, who I knew as Stannis, the true king of Westeros. 

Last, I'll just repeat that this movie is absolutely gorgeous. It is perhaps a bit indulgent with its rolling waves and harrowing gales, but I will never say no to this photography. Orkney is key to this movie's identity and I quickly fell in love, and it shot all over the islands and features a lot of people who are presumably not actors. It highlights a unique place with a unique history and felt like a mini documentary or travel advertisement in a lot of ways. 

Awesome movie. Reminded me of recent favorites like Nomadland,  Days of Heaven or Straight Story. Highly recommend. 

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