The Salt Path: Film Review
There’s nothing like going on a big challenging walk to rediscover who you are. I’m a fan of this type of movie so The Salt Path was very much my cup of tea.
The film stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs as Raynor and Moth Winn, who lose their farm due to a dodgy investment. If that wasn’t bad enough, Moth is diagnosed with a rare degenerative neurological condition that affects his movement, speech and ability to swallow. With no home and only his weekly disability payments to live on, the couple embark on a 600-mile trip along the South West Coast Path from Somerset to Dorset.
Based on Raynor’s travel journal, the story begins in the middle of their trek at a particularly low point when their tent becomes flooded with seawater during a storm. The film then takes us back to the start of their walk and reveals their background through flashbacks. The amount of information we’re given about the investment and subsequent court case is minimal but it’s enough for us to get a sense of what happened. I personally would have liked a bit more but this is focused on their present rather than their past.
The film is meandering and slightly repetitive but that’s to be expected when you’re following people on a long walk. It’s compelling though – there are plenty of adventures, trials and tribulations and interactions with strangers on the way. It’s possibly a bit too long and it doesn’t end on the most memorable note. However, cinematographer Hélène Louvart makes the British coastal landscapes look absolutely stunning. A few times I went to myself: “Oh, I’d like to go there.”
Powered by two solid performances from Anderson and Isaacs, The Salt Path is a beautiful, life-affirming film that may hit you in the feels.
In cinemas from Friday 30th May