The Salt Path (2024) Film Review: Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson shine in poignant docudrama

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Based on the 2018 memoir of the same name by Raynor Winn, this biographical film charts the true story of a married couple who embark on a year-long coastal trek after they are left homeless following legal trouble. Whilst committing to a challenging hike in all manner of weather conditions, they must also grapple with the husband living with a terminal illness, which drastically affects his physicality and memory.

This incredible, inspiring story of resilience, strength, and love is beautifully translated to the big screen, with tender direction from Marianne Elliott and outstanding, understated performances from its two leads.

The narrative is presented in a non-linear fashion, depicting the current events of the couple as they traverse the picturesque longest uninterrupted path in England, beginning in Minehead and ending in Dorset, while jumping back to fill in the gaps of their history and how they became homeless.

Come rain or shine, this remarkable couple finds the strength to prevail against all odds

The gorgeous southern England coastline is certainly the third star of the show, with its awe-inspiring landscape captured through sweeping aerial shots, and the timeless, raw appeal of nature in all its forms becomes a central vocal point of the story. There is a lovely, therapeutic, tranquil quality to the film despite the hardships the couple experiences, because of the celebration of nature and how it can transform any situation into a sense of optimism and hope.

In an industry saturated by large, epic narratives of superheroes, magical creatures, and so on, it is always a refreshing change of pace to indulge in a low-key, simple, yet effective story of real people just living their lives and tackling each day as it comes. There is an undeniable British charm to the movie, with the couple attempting to make light of their desperate situation by making the best of what they have.

Although the movie is generally solid in its execution, there are some problematic pacing issues regarding the disjointed structure of the plot, with the runtime feeling a tad overlong as it becomes quite repetitive in parts and sometimes treads the fine line of sentimentality to encourage an emotional rise from the audience. The sound design and mixing are also noticeably poor in areas, making it difficult to hear quieter dialogue between the leads, which is distracting but not enough to spoil the overall viewing experience.

Isaacs and Anderson are the beating heart of the film, sharing authentic onscreen chemistry

However, the natural chemistry between Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson is what carries the movie and elevates it beyond its shortcomings. Their connection feels genuine, with many profound and heartfelt moments shared between them, especially regarding Raynor's unwavering support for her husband despite his difficult diagnosis. Anderson has always demonstrated her natural ability to communicate many emotions without the need for words, leading to many bittersweet, often heartbreaking moments in the film, and Isaacs fully commits to the challenging physical qualities of his character like a champ. They both make for a strong, compelling onscreen partnership.

Both the screenplay and performances do a splendid job at orchestrating an implied history for the couple, with plenty of shared knowing looks incorporated into the script and certain nuances which make them feel like real people. The story champions unconditional love and romance, and will definitely make you want to hug and kiss your partner after watching. It also balances the darkness with natural moments of humour, which never feel forced and come about as a result of the distinct personalities of the diverse cast and interactions between them.

Overall, despite some issues with choppy pacing and noticeable sound problems, The Salt Path presents a liberating account of the raw power of humanity and nature, showcasing moving performances by its leads and captivating, beautiful cinematography and direction.

Check out the trailer for The Salt Path (2024) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!