Leave No Trace

The Sydney Film Festival today 16 June 18.

The reason I picked this movie - the memorable 'Winters Bone' by Debra Granik.

'Leave No Trace' continues Graniks theme of disconnected, broken people and communities worn down by war, drugs, poverty, poor health, failing services, disempowerment etc

A strange, intimate world brings together mental health, the beauty of nature, youth, struggles to present normality in abnormal circumstances, strange religion, engaging animals, concrete, christmas trees & doomed .love

Juxtaposition of nature & urban blight is too simplistic. Dig a bit deeper.

Not an easy movie but highly recommended.

An exquisitely poignant movie about a father and daughter trying to live off the grid in the woods out of town.

Ben Foster gives a truly amazing, understated performance as Will, the "psychologically damaged" father back from the un-named horrors of war, who has lost his wife and mother to his daughter, Tom. Thomasin McKenzie as Tom, brings a gentle, caring teenager, supporting her father, who is trying to retreat from the world into the woods.

The film is beautifully shot, and the pair are very believable as they hide out from the authorities who want her "in school" and him in some gainful employment, separating and further traumatising both of them while doing the "right thing". But Will, with his unseen, unacknowledged PTSD, is unable to settle into "normal" suburban life, and needs to run constantly from his demons from the past.

Ultimately there is a poignant decision to be made, as daughter and father can no longer walk the same pathways. But this movie has such depth, and such compassion for its characters, and their struggles, that even though you know that a climax must come, it still takes you by surprise. Wonderful acting from the supporting cast, including a cameo by Isaiah Stone, adding complexity to Tom's choices... But modern life cannot accommodate outliers, those who won't conform.

This movie broke my heart, little by little, but has become my favourite indie movie for 2018. If you open your heart and mind, you will find it memorable. Oh, and no sex, drugs or rock and roll, nor animals were harmed - if you like your drama real and personal, and with no car chases or shoot 'em ups, this one is a winner!

The first 30 minutes of this film, I would rate as a 9 or even a 10. We are immersed in the soft, jade glow of the Pacific rainforest, and the quiet intimate life of two people who barely need language to communicate. Their relationship with nature is practical and intuitive rather than sentimental and abstract. When the characters do visit the city, it feels cold and alien, full of possibilities but also dangers.

Both actors are amazing, especially the young girl. For a young actress to express such mixed emotions clearly is very impressive. The movie has a very rooted sense of place. I was at a Q & A with the director and it was clear she made a very thorough effort to choose locations and actors (professional and amateurs) with an eye for realism.

I only knock this story because the arc is fairly predictable. For an American movie there is remarkably little plot and no villain or hero. It was hard to decide between a 7 and an 8.

First off the young actress Thomasin McKenzie is fantastic here, this is the first movie I've seen her in and it's a very tricky role to play but she nailed it.

Ben Foster as always is superb, but unfortunately the story is a little slow and sombre. Very much a PG movie, quite a sad tale of a father and daughter who are on different paths.

A movie only for true lovers of film, who can appreciate the "real life" feel it portrays.

I gave it 6 out of 10 as it just didn't capture me in the way other movies have. Some will really like this, the majority I fear will be bored by it.

This is a story with no antagonist, only the harm caused to one loving father's mind by his military service. It is focussed and deep, showing how some things can't be fixed, and some things have to change. The performances are strong, with the tension always threatening to shatter the veneer of control and love.