Not to be confused with another film called "Wild" staring Reese Witherspoon, Tracks is a film based on the true story of Robyn Davidson's 1,700 mile trek across West Australia. In the 1970's, Robyn, nicknamed "The Camel Lady," set out on an incredible journey funded by National Geographic. It's an inspiring tale of how lonely one can feel, but how free they can feel at the same time.
While there isn't too much of a plot, the cinematography and score set the tone for the entire movie. And Mia Wasikowska encompasses the character in a great portrayal. As you follow this girl, four camels, and her dog, it's hard to decipher the reason she is doing this. There are only a few glimpses of her past, but they are pivotal. Is she crazy? Is she determined? Or is she a little bit of both?
Another great thing the director did was show how much one person can communicate with the earth and its people, with the audience able to share. There are parts when the language of the Aborigines is not subtitled, when the camels are being disobedient, when the dog is the friend to lean on, and yet the only characters that she has the hardest time understanding are human beings. I did feel for her during these sequences.
Don't expect a big adventure. It's more of an emotional drama than it is an action film. And if you are an animal lover, beware that animals are often killed for food and other reasons during the movie.
A delightful film, it might be hard to find if you do not live close to any independent cinemas. It should be available to stream or rent in a few months if you cannot make it to the theater. This film is definitely not one to miss.
No comments:
Post a Comment