Tracks

“I just want to be by myself,” says adventurous 27-year-old Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska) when asked why she wants to walk 1,700 miles from the remote northern Australian outpost of Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean on the Western Coast. Disenchanted with so-called civilized society, Davidson spends nine months in 1977 trekking in battered tennis shoes—with only her black Labrador Diggity and a quartet of nasty, serenely unpredictable camels for company. Based on Davidson's titular bestselling memoir, filmmaker John Curran's Tracks serves up an episodic adaptation that follows Davidson's journey of self-discovery. Robyn's disenchantment with humanity includes American photographer Rick Smolan (Adam Driver), who she grudgingly allows to join her at pre-arranged points, since that is part of her contract with National Geographic magazine, which is financing her trip. Robyn does befriend Mr. Eddie (Roly Mintuma), an Aboriginal elder who imparts regional wisdom as they walk through sacred sites; he also serves as a buffer between her and some intrusive followers. Through her interactions with Mr. Eddie, the racial prejudice and callous discrimination against the indigenous population that was once rampant throughout Australian culture becomes obvious. Born in Canberra, Wasikowska (Jane Eyre) effectively embodies the ferociously capable Aussie heroine, and the cinematography is beautiful, capturing the rugged, sun-scorched, empty stillness of South Australia and the Northern Territory. A slow but exhilarating and inspirational saga, this is recommended. (S. Granger)