DIRECTED
BY: John Curran
WRITTEN
BY:
STARRING: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver
RATING: 4/5
Adapted from Robyn Davidson's memoir of the same name, it’s
the chronicle of a young woman's nine month trek across the Western Australian
desert to the Indian Ocean.
As someone who enjoys spending a good deal of time alone,
maybe too much; I was immediately drawn to this film upon first seeing the
trailer. And the desert, particularly the Australian outback is an environment
I've always found fascinating.
Her journey doesn't begin straight away; we meet Robyn as
she arrives in Alice Springs where she spends a considerable amount of time
working for next to nothing, gaining experience and knowledge for her eventual
journey which at the last minute National Geographic decides to help fund
providing one of their photographers documents it along the way.
It was an experience watching this film, one that has a very
dreamlike and spiritual quality about it. In fact it was very reminiscent of
Nicolas Roeg's Walkabout where not a great deal happens, it's mainly all
observation, watching our central character evolve and the physical and mental
strain the seemingly endless journey has on her. The films also explore
Aboriginal culture very respectfully, which makes up a large part of the film's
spiritual aspect in how they have a deep connection with the land. I read that
Robyn Davidson was actually involved with the Aboriginal Land Rights movement
during her time in Alice Springs.
The film is shot extremely well; cinematography Mandy Walker
really does capture the harshness and beauty of the great sun baked southern
continent. Mia Wasikowska as the head strong and determined Robyn Davidson is
excellent. She's such a wonderful and versatile actress and she's cast
perfectly in this.
One of the reasons we watch films is to escape from reality
to go somewhere else for a couple of hours and that was Tracks does very well.
I felt as if I had literally been away from it all and not just for 2 hours.
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