Review of Tracks (2013) by Foxgrove — 25 Sep 2014
Engaging, if not engrossing, true story of one woman's trek across 1700 miles of Australian desert with just 4 camels and a dog for company. The film leisurely draws you in to its slight but unusual story which is based on, first a national geographic article, and subsequently a book. For so little dramatic incident on show the film achieves much just to hold the interest of a seemingly foolhardy venture. To its credit it manages to produce some quite emotional moments along the way.
Looking very much like a young Sissy Spacek, an ever improving Mia Wasikowska gives her best performance to date as the intrepid adventurer Robyn Davidson who did this for real in 1977.
The film is lovingly photographed and full of beautiful imagery, like the shadow of a plane flying overhead, or a snake slithering across Wasikowska as she sleeps. But this is not beauty for beauty's sake as the film is also successful in emphasising the unforgiving nature of the Australian outback. It's just that it looks gorgeous doing it. The drama is also permeated by a haunting score which acts like the heart beat of the film.
On the negative side there are a couple of incidents of animals being killed which may depict real life but is definitely not to my taste.
This review of Tracks (2013) was written by Foxgrove on 25 Sep 2014.
Tracks has generally received positive reviews.
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