Tracks

Film (2013)

With Mia Wasikowska (Robyn Davidson), Adam Driver (Rick Smolan)

In the 1970s Robyn Davidson embarked on an incredible adventure, seeking to head west across 1700 miles of Australian desert to the Indian Ocean. Preparing for the trip, she learned to train camels over the course of more than a year, then finally embarked on her epic adventure, aided by a grant from National Geographic. The photographer assigned by the magazine to follow her, Rick Smolan (Adam Driver), became a focal player in the story, documenting, supporting and becoming deeply involved with Davidson during her monumental journey.

This extremely well made and moving film about a determined young woman is aided by the wonderful acting gifts of Mia Wasikowska, supported by those of Adam Driver. Wasikowksa, who, with a dog and several camels, carries much of the film on her own, conveys a kind of moodily admirable self-absorption that drives the picture. With subtle conveyances of character, Wasikowska transmits a sense of the mission to take on the journey, carrying in that laden gaze, the penetrating effects of the suicide of Davidson’s mother and the example of Davidson’s father, an explorer in his own right. Compellingly she communicates all of that, and the resulting desire to be alone and to be free.

Remarkably, the repeated shots of Wasikowska’s intense gaze never get boring. She is one of those young actresses who carries an intriguing reflective awareness, making it fascinating to watch her just go about her business. As Davidson, she basically cuddles her dog, trains and works with camels, and then faces the long, endless highway. Aided by various Bushmen, and, of course, by the regular visits by Smolan, Davidson walks and walks, but the power of Wasikowska’s performance conveys Davidson’s passion compellingly.

Adam Driver, who seems to be showing up everywhere these days (I just saw him in This Is Where I Leave You) plays it cool here. He actually is a good romantic lead when he gets off his schtick and simply is. Here he demonstrates that there’s an interesting enough quality to his ordinary mode of being that it’s not necessary for him to do his familiar goofy guy routine in order to be captivating.

The traditional players – Bushmen and women mostly – have wonderful faces and bearings. The elder who travels for a chunk of the journey has a great, craggy presence which gives a particular magic to it.

The script is well-written, capturing the significant challenges of the journey in dramatic moments, allowing Davdison’s sheer determination to carry us along throughout. The cinematography by Mandy Walker and the score by Garth Stevenson are strikingly good. Interesting shots abound and one is blessed with panoramas and details of hard-to-get-to Australia. The score fits the bill, sometimes conveying energy, other times moodiness. It is never intrusive and effectively evokes a combined sense of the rich terrain and this dramatic journey across it.

The costume design by Mariot Kerr is also interesting. To see Wasikowska’s Davidson striding across this moonscape in long, Indian dresses and leather sandals calls back the 1970s vividly. There were no Keens back then, and no fleece or sweatproof garb. As well, the idea of SPF sunscreens was yet a thing of the future. Watching Davidson amble along in her hippie garb, leading her camels and striding beside her dog, is a striking and charming throwback.

This is a great, intense film with superb acting, direction, editing and cinematography, and definitely worth making a trek, of whatever length, to see.

– BADMan