Instead, the film floats between contrasting attitudes and confusing points of view. The opening dream sequence is a race through a maze of khaki-colored corridors, exemplifying a child's darkest fear of becoming lost in unfamiliar territory. For no particular reason, the film switches perspectives and credits this dream to the mother. Julia has no direction and, therefore, no all-encompassing need to drive the story. This is one of many problems in adapting a book to screen.
Chronology is another dilemma.
Director Gillies MacKinnon crams his setting with sensory overload. The desert becomes a fifth character. Dust rises like eraser bloom on a chalkboard. Dunes drift like leaves. The film is flawed but beautiful.