The Depiction of Alcoholism in The Outrun

Abstract

The thesis looks at how different filmic devices are used to achieve defamiliarization in the portrayal of alcoholism in The Outrun (2024), which is an adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir by the same name. This is done through analysing the different filmic devices, starting with an analysis of the use of colour for conveying the non-linear narrative of the film, examining how this cues the viewer to comprehend the narrative. This is followed by an analysis of shots of nature that are prevalent in the film in relation to the main characters’ alcoholism. Here, the literary genre of nature writing, that is used in the memoir that the film is based on, is used as a framework to examine how the film has translated this literary device to the big screen in order to help convey embedded meanings about the main characters’ inner feelings and her alcoholism. Finally, the devices of camera movement and framing in the film are analysed through a framework of embodiment theory, to examine how these are employed to convey the main characters’ emotions in relation to her alcoholism, focusing on the juxtaposition of stillness and movement. Through analysing how these different devices are used, I argue that the film defamiliarizes the viewer during their viewing, which enabled the viewer to have a deeper understanding of alcoholism and the journey toward sobriety depicted in the film.