In 1977, a then 27-year-old Australian Woman named Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska) began her 1,700 mile Trek from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean. Partaking on her Adventure also were her Dog and four Camels. Needing the funding to embark on her Journey, National Geographic Photographer Rick Smolan (Adam Driver) recommends she contact the Magazine for a sponsorship and despite the hesitation of having it documented and photographed, she agrees to the aid. Director John Curran takes us on a gorgeous cinematic journey through the unforgiving desert along with Davidson, translating Davidson‘s Memoir Tracks to the Big Screen.
It’s rare that I can sit through an entire Movie sobbing, not because it is saccharine in nature, but because in all its simplistic beauty, it captures the truth of solitude and also the fragility of life. A large part why Tracks is a sublime Piece of Cinema is due to Mandy Walker‘s Cinematography. Inspired by Smolan‘s original Photographs, frame-by-frame our breath is taken away as he crafts masterfully the mood of the moment with Light and Landscape. A gorgeous Piano-driven Score overseen by Tim Ryan perfectly complements the Narrative.
Not enough praise can be delivered to Rising Star Wasikowska who transports us into the Story with a remarkable performance here as Davidson, understanding her headstrong disposition and also gracefully embodying delicate vulnerability; recognition is likely come Awards Season. Driver is charismatic, little-by-little peeling layers from the hardened shell which Wasikowska‘s Davidson bears.
Mongrel Media releases Tracks 2014 in Canada. Those of us attending TIFF ’13, have two chances to see it first:
Tuesday September 10 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 6:00 PM
Wednesday September 11 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 at 2:45 PM
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