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THE OUTRUN

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Saskia Reeves, Stephen Dillane, and Paapa Essiedu
Director: Nora Fingscheidt

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PAIGE

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Saoirse Ronan's vulnerable and nuanced performance carries The Outrun throughout its entire runtime, yet it's not enough to hold one’s attention as this is a cold story that lacks intrigue. Though the film does feature some stunning shots and moments, its storytelling structure ultimately detracts from the overall impact of the movie. It’s told in a disorienting, non-linear way that ends up hurting the rhythm of the film. I respect its honorable intentions, but it doesn’t have the finesse needed to be a meaningful movie about the difficulties associated with addiction.

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ADRIANO

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It is crazy how a single performance can elevate a movie. In The Outrun, Saoirse Ronan's erratic outbursts are wonderful, but it's her nuance when she's away from the alcohol that brings loads to the film's themes. That said, while I can see how this movie could be effective for some, it was a chore to get through. The non-linear structure is more confusing than effective, and the meandering tone continuously took me out of it. Had it not been for Ronan's performance, I wouldn't have felt anything for The Outrun.

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AMARÚ

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I decided to watch The Outrun because of Saoirse Ronan’s name alone, and while Nora Fingscheidt’s direction is strikingly beautiful, its commanding visual focus reminded me why I don’t really watch Saoirse Ronan movies. Most of them are deeply dramatic and meticulously paced, but this one’s sluggish plot is as boring as her character Rona’s life in Scotland’s rural Orkney Islands. Seriously, you can’t sound more remote than an island off an island. Add in inserts of dissertation-like monologues over alternating aspect ratio shots, and it feels more like a biographical documentary of a recovering alcoholic than a compelling narrative you’d wanna follow.

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