Review of Track 29 (1988) by Juan B — 26 Mar 2012

Track 29 is one of those films that's approach is semi-flawed but it's ideals are so interesting and fun that the faults slowly disappear from memory. Theresa Russell stars as Linda, the depressed wife of a doctor, who we come to learn is deeply emotionally damaged because of an event in her past.

The film revolves around a relationship between Linda and Martin (Gary Oldman), a stranger, who claims to be her long lost son. What starts out as a story about a loveless marriage and hints of a sort of forbidden love turns into a surreal trip about maternal obsession as Linda instantly finds a purpose again in Martin.

Roeg never really states what is real or imaginary in this landscape early on, rather opting to let the viewer fall into this strange world. Gary Oldman is great as Martin, balancing this child-like exuberance with this mysterious, off-putting sense of potential danger.

It's a loaded film which touches on Oedipal issues, insanity, maternity and depression. While it's not perfect by any means, its a wild, inventive film by Roeg, which never gets too overloaded in its themes thanks to it's oddness and fun tone.