Thursday 24 October 2013

57th LFF Review: Tracks





Director: John Curran

Writer: Marion Nelson

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Emma Booth, Robert Coleby

Synopsis: Based on a true story, back in 1970s a young woman, Robyn Davidson (Wasikowska), set off a 1,700-mile trek across the Australian desert with four camels and her dog.

Tracks has the issue of providing its audience with a powerful, stimulating story that should seem cinematic yet plays out like an ITV Sunday drama. Much like To Walk with Lions, even the movie star appeal can do nothing for an unexciting film.

Mia Wasikowska, playing Robyn Davidson (in looks and all), leads her camels and her audience with determination. However, the love she feels for her animal companions does not cross over to the league of fans supporting and loving her. Only a few occasions does she show compassion for her fellow man, and in one instant it’s only a two-faced impulse that leads her to such emotion.

To engage with Davidson is tough, exacerbated by Wasikowska’s terrific work that aspires to portray the woman as closely as possible. The woman was clearly not a nice person back in her youthful days; her objective and drive to trek those 1,700 miles made her forget about other people. Adam Driver who plays photographer Rick Smolan suffers this truth the most. For the audience he is the soul to the story, trying to provoke sentiment from the stony Davidson.

Tracks has occasional beauty and mystic imagery to do with the scorching journey, just not enough to make it anything special. It has the unbelievable story on its side – a daring feat that would be unimaginable today – and worthy performances. Nevertheless, trying to find what is good about it cannot detract from its run of the mill direction and writing. Wait for the ITV premiere.

***
Also posted on LiveForFilms

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