Director Denis Imbert teams with Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin in “On the Wandering Paths”, a soulful adaptation of Sylvain Tesson’s 2016 autobiographical travel journal of the same name. Tesson’s book was based on his own deeply personal experience which led to a life-changing and contemplative journey of self-discovery.

Imbert eloquently captures the human pulse of Tesson’s story via a thoughtful script (which he co-wrote with Diastème) and a beautifully introspective performance from Dujardin who is the centerpiece of every scene. In addition to the stunning photography of the French countryside by DP Magali Silvestre de Sacy, “On the Wandering Paths” is built upon the self-reflections and philosophical meditations from one wayward man’s soul-searching odyssey.

Dujardin plays Pierre Girard, an accomplished writer with an adventurous lifestyle whose backstory plays out through a collection of memories and reflections. Pierre has enjoyed a successful life, but it is forever changed in one ill-fated moment of recklessness. While drunk, Pierre falls three stories from a balcony to the unforgiving pavement bellow. The accident leaves him with a broken leg and a serious back injury. He also loses his hearing in one ear and even his sense of smell is affected.

As he endures multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery, Pierre falls into despair which costs him his relationship with his girlfriend Anna (Joséphine Japy). While bed-ridden, Pierre makes himself a promise – if he is ever able to walk again he will set out to cross France on foot. He eventually regains his ability to walk and immediately begins to fulfill that pledge. He plots himself a 1,300 kilometer route starting at the Italian border and across to the Cotentin Penisula.

His friends and family think he’s crazy. But for Pierre, his journey has a significantly deeper meaning. It’s not only about finding himself, but also proving himself to himself. And while there may be physical and emotional dangers with such off-the-grid solitude, Pierre sees it as a means of self-redemption and as an opportunity to close troubling chapters in his whirlwind life.

Imbert’s ability to immerse his audience in Pierre’s personal pilgrimage proves to be one of the film’s great strengths. He makes us feel like quiet observers, following closely as Pierre climbs each mountain, navigates each forest, and passes through each eroding village. We sense every bolt of pain that courses through his barely mended body, each threatening to end his mission. Yet he’s propelled by an unbending determination that often gives way to obstinacy, testing fate with each step and content with its final judgement.

Pierre’s trek isn’t one of complete isolation. He talks with several locals he encounters along the way. He pays a visit to his Aunt (Anny Duperey). He’s helped by a Good Samaritan (Dylan Robert) who accompanies him for a leg of his journey. And for a brief stretch he’s joined by his friend, Arnaud (Jonathan Zaccaï), and a little later by his concerned sister, Céline (Izïa Higelin). Though most of his time is spent alone, Pierre gleans something new from every person he spends time with.

“On the Wandering Paths” may be light on story but it’s full of spirit. It’s a visually delightful movie full of eye-catching landscapes and beautifully rugged vistas. But there is a lot more beyond the pretty scenery. In addition to chronicling Pierre’s stirring self-exploration, Imbert and Diastème offer a handful of economic and societal observations, mostly surrounding the depopulation of rural France. And it all funnels through Dujardin whose textured performance thoughtfully conveys the movie’s soul.