Despite having heard of the movie for years and reading praise from fellow IMDbers I for some reason have never got round to seeing this unique-sounding title.Taking a look for what has been added to Netflix UK,I spotted that the film was being listed for being removed from the site the next day!,which led to me finally following the tracks.
The plot-
1970's Australia:
Remembering the walks that her dad took around Africa, Robyn Davidson decides that she is going to take 4 camels (and a faithful dog) on a 1,677 from the Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean.Gaining the camels from various camel ranches,Davidson decides that she needs some funds in order to survive her adventure. Writing to National Geographic magazine (NG),Davidson is delighted when NG say that they will fund the project,on condition that a photographer comes along.Meeting NG photographer Rick Smolan,Davidson finds herself put off by Smolan's chatty nature.Pushing Smolan's to the side,Davidson gets the camels and the dog,and beings to follow the 1,677 mile tracks.
View on the film:
Following Davidson on every step she and her animals make,the screenplay by Marion Nelson superbly uses brief flashbacks to give a psychological depth to what Davidson is trekking over,which never over powers the spiritual and personal discover that Davidson is making on the tracks.Largely taking place in the desert, Nelson avoids things drying up by crossing Davidson's solo walk with intersections which take Davidson out of the self-imposed wilderness,as a sweet bond of friendship builds with Smolan,and Davidson learns of a completely different culture from the aboriginals.
Bringing Davidson's journey across the screen,director John Curran & cinematographer Mandy Walker make the full weight of each footstep Davidson and the animals take fully felt,as stylish shots across the landscape gives the movie an excellent heft. Floating in Davidson's self-discovery,Curran brings an extraordinary beauty out of the Aus desert,by drinking up lush blue waves and fanning the heat of the desert onto the viewer with dried browns and yellows.
Joining Davidson at "stop points" Adam Driver gives a terrific performance as Rick Smolan,whose eagerness to get Davidson talking, Driver gradually trims,as Smolan starts to get caught up in Davidson's spiritual search.Walking into the real shoes of Davidson, Mia Wasikowska gives an excellent performance,thanks to Wasikowska displaying a remarkable delicacy over opening the spiritual side of Davidson,whilst also threading a gritty determination,which grows as Davidson crosses every track.
The plot-
1970's Australia:
Remembering the walks that her dad took around Africa, Robyn Davidson decides that she is going to take 4 camels (and a faithful dog) on a 1,677 from the Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean.Gaining the camels from various camel ranches,Davidson decides that she needs some funds in order to survive her adventure. Writing to National Geographic magazine (NG),Davidson is delighted when NG say that they will fund the project,on condition that a photographer comes along.Meeting NG photographer Rick Smolan,Davidson finds herself put off by Smolan's chatty nature.Pushing Smolan's to the side,Davidson gets the camels and the dog,and beings to follow the 1,677 mile tracks.
View on the film:
Following Davidson on every step she and her animals make,the screenplay by Marion Nelson superbly uses brief flashbacks to give a psychological depth to what Davidson is trekking over,which never over powers the spiritual and personal discover that Davidson is making on the tracks.Largely taking place in the desert, Nelson avoids things drying up by crossing Davidson's solo walk with intersections which take Davidson out of the self-imposed wilderness,as a sweet bond of friendship builds with Smolan,and Davidson learns of a completely different culture from the aboriginals.
Bringing Davidson's journey across the screen,director John Curran & cinematographer Mandy Walker make the full weight of each footstep Davidson and the animals take fully felt,as stylish shots across the landscape gives the movie an excellent heft. Floating in Davidson's self-discovery,Curran brings an extraordinary beauty out of the Aus desert,by drinking up lush blue waves and fanning the heat of the desert onto the viewer with dried browns and yellows.
Joining Davidson at "stop points" Adam Driver gives a terrific performance as Rick Smolan,whose eagerness to get Davidson talking, Driver gradually trims,as Smolan starts to get caught up in Davidson's spiritual search.Walking into the real shoes of Davidson, Mia Wasikowska gives an excellent performance,thanks to Wasikowska displaying a remarkable delicacy over opening the spiritual side of Davidson,whilst also threading a gritty determination,which grows as Davidson crosses every track.