Jason Isaacs breaks silence on Salt Path controversy ahead of US release: 'It's going to be interesting'

Jason Isaacs has spoken publicly for the first time about the controversy surrounding The Salt Path, admitting that promoting the film in the United States will be an "interesting" experience following questions over the memoir on which it is based.

The 63-year-old actor, who portrays Moth Winn opposite Gillian Anderson's Raynor Winn in the 2024 adaptation, addressed the issue during an appearance on the Kermode on Film podcast as the movie prepares for its American release.

Host Mark Kermode noted that The Salt Path was only now arriving in US cinemas, prompting Isaacs to reflect on the publicity campaign.

"It's going to be interesting doing publicity for The Salt Path now that there's been..." he said, before adding: "I said, 'Are you sure you want us to do publicity?' They went, 'Absolutely.'

"And I went, 'OK, yeah, fine. I think it's a beautiful film. I think that much of it is still completely valid. Obviously, some of the things have been questioned. It's going to be an interesting experience.'"

The film, directed by Marianne Elliott and adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, is based on Raynor Winn's bestselling memoir, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide. It tells the story of Raynor and her husband Moth embarking on a 630-mile walk along England's South West Coast Path after losing their home while coping with Moth's diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration (CBD).

However, the memoir and its big-screen adaptation became the subject of intense scrutiny after reports challenged key aspects of the couple's account.

Among the claims disputed were the circumstances surrounding the loss of the couple's home. Reports alleged that the property was repossessed following financial difficulties linked to money stolen from an employer, rather than solely because of a failed investment and a friend's business deal, as described in the memoir.

Subsequent reports also referenced a family-verified letter of confession in which Winn, whose real name is Sally Walker, allegedly admitted stealing money from her employer, her in-laws and her mother.

Medical experts and readers have also questioned elements of the book relating to Moth Winn's reported diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration, a rare neurological condition.

Despite the controversy, Isaacs indicated he still believes in the film itself, describing it as "a beautiful film" while acknowledging that aspects of the story behind it have been called into question.

The Salt Path is set to launch in US cinemas in the coming weeks, placing renewed attention on the adaptation and the debate surrounding the memoir that inspired it.