Leave No Trace

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!

Perhaps no other film in 2018 has exemplified true human emotion like Leave no Trace. It's immensely impressive how well director Debra Granik manages to make these characters feel like real people, even if you don't know anyone who lives out in the woods full time. I mean really, the location isn't necessarily important, what's important is that they have a home and that home was taken from them while another home is forced upon them. That's essentially the central part of the film, what's home to you may not be home to everyone. Ben Foster is unsurprisingly brilliant as is his daughter in the film, Thomasin McKenzie, who most certainly draws comparisons to Jennifer Lawrence (another Granik alum). Incredibly powerful and impeccably visceral, Leave no Trace is undoubtedly a film that will leave a trace come Oscar season.

8.0/10

One of my all-time favorite films, but it might not be yours. This is the first film I've actually reviewed after 10+ years on IMDb. Clearly some people are unimpressed by this film and others think it's amazing; I am in the latter category.

I'm also someone who, when I was a kid, fantasized about what it would be like to live off the land and away from people. This is a truly unique film in that it does not spell it out for you; does not have a position; it does not have villains; It is willing to let you make your own conclusions. Clearly this bothers some people, as does the pace. Speaking for myself, I was never bored. I was riveted from beginning to end. I had never seen the trailer, and I would recommend not seeing the trailer.

A main complaint from those who don't like it seems to be there are enough bad people; I actually found this refreshing. I don't meet many bad, evil people in my every day life; most people are pretty cool, I find. I actually felt the fundamental premise of the movie was realistic and I appreciated that it was willing to skip ahead and not spell out every beat. Or fill in the backstory. A good film can choose the story it wants to tell and does not need to fill in every interstitial space or to mimic the way things would necessarily unfold in the real world. I suppose it could be a realistic criticism that things could never quite happen this way, but it certainly did not bother me. I thought this film portrays people - and I mean all the characters in the film, not just the primary two - that are too rarely portrayed in film, but do exist in our world.

As everyone seems to agree, the cinematography and acting are extraordinary. I also thought the story was unique and refreshing, and for me at least, the pacing was perfect. I believe I benefited from having no idea where it was going to go, so I would recommend skipping the trailer and seeing it for whatever reason compels you. Perhaps just the beautiful, green forests of the Pacific Northwest.

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.

Although it feels generally slow-moving and takes a while to really get going, 'Leave No Trace' is a thoroughly compelling, realistic drama that expertly explores the father-daughter dynamic. The exposition-less script is refreshing, allowing the audience to actually think for themselves about the lives of the characters and how they got to where they are at the beginning of the film. All of the dialogue feels entirely natural (a testament to both the screenwriters and the actors) and this, combined with the subtle, yet nuanced direction, gives the film an almost documentary type feel, which fully compels the viewers to engage with the lives and central relationship of the protagonists. 7/10.