Saoirse Ronan reveals how Jack Lowden persuaded her to star in The Outrun

As a cinephile with years of movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Saoirse Ronan‘s performance in The Outrun is nothing short of extraordinary. Her ability to breathe life into complex characters and convey raw emotions on screen is truly remarkable.

Since garnering attention for her Academy Award-nominated performance in Atonement at thirteen years old, Saoirse Ronan has solidified herself as a top-tier global actor.

After receiving several Academy Award nominations in the past, she has garnered three more – for Brooklyn, Lady Bird, and Little Women – and is currently predicted to receive another one for her outstanding performance in the upcoming drama, The Outrun, which will be screening in UK cinemas this weekend.

Based on Amy Liptrot’s celebrated autobiography with the same title, the movie portrays Saoirse Ronan as Rona, a woman overcoming alcohol addiction who seeks solace and redemption by going back to her childhood home on the Orkney Islands following a challenging period in her life spent residing in London.

She stated that the book was originally given to her by Jack Lowden, who had owned it for a long time. During the lockdown period, he eventually got around to reading it.

It seemed like a perfect moment for the initial encounter. Right then, he passed it to me and remarked, “I believe this is your next character to portray.

In my eagerness as an actor, I exclaimed, ‘Please, can I have it? I simply have to read it.’ And I found myself utterly captivated by it.

She shared that what particularly drew her to the concept was the narrative of a young woman overcoming alcohol addiction, a theme not commonly portrayed in either literature or film, and notably scarce in movies.

Saoirse Ronan reveals how Jack Lowden persuaded her to star in The Outrun

She commented, ‘I realized it would offer a fresh perspective on a story shared by all.’ This subject holds personal significance for her, much like it does for others. It’s been a long-standing desire of hers to explore it.

As a movie critic immersed in the captivating narrative of this remarkable book, I found myself particularly struck by the unique approach author Liptrot took in crafting her tale. Instead of merely delving into a straightforward account of addiction, she wove intricate threads of memory, history, and Orcadian folklore that transformed this story into something far richer and more complex. Furthermore, the non-linear structure of the narrative added depth and unpredictability, making each page a tantalizing journey through time.

She commented, “That was truly captivating,” and suggested, “If we could somehow adapt such poetic essence into a visual medium, it could result in something extraordinarily unique and exceptional.

While my portrayal of Rona shares similarities with Liptrot’s personal experiences, I want to clarify that my acting isn’t meant to mimic an impression. Instead, it aims to bring her story to life in a unique and authentic way.

Ronan mentioned that it was crucial for her during the production of the film depicting a deeply troubling period in her life, that there were instances where we deviated from the truth to add creativity.

Additionally, we further evolved the character, causing it to move past the boundaries of Amy and the novel. This character then transformed into Rona, a unique blend of three women combining their strengths to birth something fresh and original.

Liptrot also mentioned that they had a handful of virtual gatherings with Ronan via Zoom. However, she concurred that these interactions did not leave a strong impact on her.

She expressed that my style of writing and the way I express myself through prose seems to resonate more with her, which can be described as a heightened, hyperreal representation of myself. To find her relating to my writing is an incredibly rewarding experience for me.

The Outrun is showing in cinemas from Friday 27th September 2024.

2024-09-26 22:33

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