The iconic country song that Alison Oliver played on repeat
Alison Oliver’ has been a somewhat overlooked talent in Hollywood cinema until her recent appearance alongside Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan in Emerald Fennell’s acclaimed dark comedy Saltburn. Hailing from Cork, Oliver gained her first taste of prominence after playing Frances Flynn in Conversations with Friends, an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name.
In Saltburn, Oliver plays the dark yet endearing Venetia Catton, Felix Catton’s sister and someone who immediately captures the attention of Koeghan’s Oliver Quick. Although much of the hype focuses on Koeghan and Elordi, Oliver’s delivery in the film is nothing short of enchanting, especially considering this is her first official film debut.
Discussing what initially drew her to the film, Oliver praises Fennell’s script, stating that she was excited to play Venetia because she was so different to who she is in real life. “The script in itself was just astonishing to read,” she told Collider. “I was just gasping and had such a visceral reaction to the script that I was so excited to audition.”
Continuing, she added: “It’s always really exciting getting to play a character that really makes you step out of your comfort zone where you don’t feel like yourself, or you get to kind of explore lots of different things, and this was definitely one of them.”
Beyond acting, Oliver is also a music fan, with tastes spanning various genres. In a feature with Vogue, she shared some of her favourite things, which included the song she can’t stop playing on repeat. “If I need cheering up, I listen to an album on my record player,” the actor explains. “Someone recently gave me Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ on vinyl, and I’ve had it on repeat.”
When it comes to comfort flicks, Oliver mentions Only You, Harry Wootliff’s heartwarming romance. In Oliver’s eyes, the movie’s most endearing aspect is the talent of the two lead actors. She explains: “It’s so hard to choose the film I love the most, but Only You, with Laia Costa and Josh O’Connor, is definitely up there. Their chemistry is just incredible.”
Oliver’s portrayal in Saltburn, alongside the rest of the ensemble, stands out for its brilliance, enriching the film’s exploration of the depths of human psychology. As Venetia, Oliver embodies the movie’s inherent gothic essence, becoming a pivotal character whose intricate persona adds depth to the narrative’s core.
