Tracks (4 Stars)

This is the incredible true story of Robyn Davidson's trek across Australia in 1977, based on her book about the journey. She decided to walk on foot from the east to the west coast of Australia, a distance of 1700 miles (2700 kilometres). While the distance itself set no records, it has to be remembered that the majority of the journey was across a desert where there was little or no water. Robyn used three camels to carry her load, which consisted of a tent, food and water. A fourth camel was the calf of one of the other camels that she didn't want to separate from his mother. She also took her dog with her for company.

Robyn carried out the trip with financial support from National Geographic. They sent a photographer, Rick Smolan, to rendezvous with her at intervals on her journey. The brief romance with him, little more than a one-night stand, seems out of place in the film, but assuming that it really happened it needs to be documented. Rick thought that it meant something and wanted to travel with her for a few days, but it was only the fulfilment of a temporary need that Robyn had, so she insisted on continuing alone. The only man who accompanied her was a tribal elder who had to walk with her across sacred land for religious reasons.

The film has stunning visual beauty. Mia Wasikowska does an amazing job portraying Robyn's determination in the face of adversity. Even though I've seen her twice in recent films, "Only lovers left alive" and "The Double", I've never paid much attention to her as an actress. Maybe because she played less prominent roles in both films. Originally Julia Roberts was scheduled to play Robyn Davidson, but I'm sure she wouldn't have been as convincing in the role.