Out Standing (2025) - Film Review

      Out Standing, 2025.

      Directed by Mélanie Charbonneau.

      Featuring Nina Kiri, Vincent Leclerc, Enrico Colantoni, Adrian Walters, Antoine Pilon, Stephen Thomas Kalyn, and Conrad Pla.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Officer Sandra Perron resigns from the Canadian military following the emergence of a controversial photograph. As she adjusts to life as a civilian amid an investigation, she refutes abuse claims, despite evidence pointing to mistreatment in her unit.

      Nina Kiri, known for her role in The Handmaid’s Tale, shines in Mélanie Charbonneau’s Out Standing, which chronicles the life of Sandra Perron, the first Canadian woman to serve in the infantry of the Canadian Armed Forces and lead a squad as captain. Driven by Kiri’s powerful performance and Charbonneau’s direction, Out Standing is an impressive Canadian film that explores Perron’s early military experiences and the challenges she faced against pervasive sexism and misogyny.

      Perron’s story starts in the early 1990s when she enlists in the military, becoming one of the few women in her regiment as the CAF opens its doors to female recruits. While other women exit due to the discrimination they encounter, Perron perseveres. Fast forward a few years, and Perron faces an internal military investigation concerning allegations of abuse and misconduct during her training, even as she is hesitant to engage with the investigation or the media spotlight.

      Charbonneau adeptly tells this non-linear narrative, alternating between Perron’s past and present to effectively unveil the complex layers of her character and her experiences during training and afterward. The film offers insightful commentary on her personal journey without passing overall judgment on the military as an institution, while also not shying away from the outdated mindsets of some of her fellow soldiers and superiors. This delicate balancing act is executed skillfully by Charbonneau.

      Kiri delivers a remarkable performance as Perron, successfully portraying her character's strength and physical prowess. She anchors the film with her emotional and resolute depiction, showcasing excellent chemistry with the cast, particularly Enrico Colantoni, Adrian Walters, and Conrad Pla. The subtlety she brings to her role, as Perron navigates the complexities of her treatment while rationalizing some aspects as routine training, is another balancing challenge that she navigates with finesse. Kiri maintains her focus, dedicating her energy to Perron’s character development, rendering her both sympathetic and relatable, while evoking outrage at the misogyny she encountered both within and outside the military.

      The cinematography offers compelling visuals, especially in the nighttime scenes, where careful lighting ensures clarity and avoids confusion regarding character identities. These scenes are effectively lit, edited, and shot, building tension as viewers are placed in Perron’s perspective during some of her more challenging training moments, evoking a sense of discomfort and apprehension. This approach is particularly effective in a film that leans more towards character drama than a typical military action thriller.

      Charbonneau and Kiri successfully narrate Sandra Perron’s story in Out Standing, addressing serious subject matter that remains sadly relevant three decades later and is not solely a Canadian tale. Kiri’s performance powerfully honors Perron’s experiences, highlighting her emotional and physical depth. Charbonneau, Kiri, and the entire cast and crew deliver an outstanding film with Out Standing.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

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