Leave No Trace (2018) User Reviews

an engaging and touching tale that leaves a warm glow

[CineMuseFilms · 8/10 · 10 July 2018]

Framing a story through the outlier's point of view is a self-reflective device that makes us to look at ourselves through the eyes of the marginalised other. It usually adopts a single perspective but Leave No Trace (2018) is as multi-layered as a Russian doll. Homelessness, poverty, single-parenting, post-traumatic stress disorder, and life off-the-grid are just some of the themes woven into this finely balanced film.

The ruggedly beautiful opening scenes show a father and daughter appearing to be camping in the wilderness. Silent but for the sound of nature, they forage, taste nature's bounty, and communicate by gesture. The father, Will (Ben Foster), is a war veteran with chronic PTSD and cannot stand the confinement of conventional accommodation. His teenage daughter, androgynously named Tom (Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie), has been raised by Will since infancy and is as adept at chess and reading literature as she is at hunting in the wild. They are close, sleep together for warmth, and the forest is their home. That is until a walker spots them and police are brought in.

Immediately applying labels like homeless and potential abusive relationship, the authorities subject them to the kind of interrogation that presumes the worst. When suspicion lifts, Will is praised for how well he has raised Tom but they are not permitted to return to their forest home. Social service accommodation is found, but Will soon flees again and Tom must follow. The cycle is repeated until the rapidly maturing Tom must face either a life running from Will's war torments or claim her independence, put down roots, and let him go.

This film works on all levels. The cinematography has a docu-drama feel, with hand-held camera-work that intimately observes the father and daughter bond. This is pitched perfectly because of the understated authenticity of performance by Foster and McKenzie. It must have been tempting to dramatize the veteran's trauma but here it is expressed entirely through Foster's eyes and silent stare. McKenzie consumes her role, emerging from the cocoon of adolescence to a butterfly, vibrant, caring, and grounded in self-belief. The dynamic between them is the scaffold that raises the story beyond expectations.

It would be challenging to find another film that could more appropriately carry the 'hybrid genre' label. Strands of adventure story, a coming of age tale, a road trip, and a drama, are all present but none dominate. Nor does the film offer an easy solution to helping people like Tom and Will. This is an engaging and touching tale that leaves a warm glow.

A Deep and Moving Father-Daughter Story

[Jared_Andrews · 7/10 · 25 July 2018]

Don't walk in to see this movie expecting any action and excitement. That's not what this is.

'Leave No Trace' is about the relationship between a girl and her father. It's a patient movie and a thorough one. It takes its time unveiling the details of their relationship and their lives.

Dad (Ben Foster, gripping) suffers from PTSD from his time in the military. He cannot function in society, so he chooses to live in the forest. His 13-year-old daughter, Tom (Thomasin McKenzie, a revelation), lives with him.

Though life in the forest provides its challenges-Tom is growing and is often hungry-the two live happily. As Tom says, they "didn't need to be rescued," but living on public land is illegal. They're brought in and assigned to indoor housing so they can re-acclimate themselves with society.

While Tom thrives, her dad struggles. He cannot handle this lifestyle anymore. The strength of their bond is tested, and it keeps them together as they navigate unfamiliar and uncomfortable terrain.

Both actors are terrific-serious and subtle. The whole movie is subtle. There isn't much dialogue, but the subtext says a lot. Director Debra Granik operates with a light touch that lets events unfold without forcing anything upon her audience.

Her film style simply presents moments and allows viewers to actively participate in them. Nothing is shoved in your face. It's up to you to engage, so you can take away from this movie as much or as little as you choose.

This is unequivocally a theater movie. It's not meant to be half-watched on an airplane. To experience it in full-and you should do this-go to a theater and really pay attention and think along with the movie. It's a rewarding experience that gives a lot back, as long as you give a little first.

What Good Will Hunting did for BPD, this movie does for PTSD...

[minervanz · 8/10 · 28 August 2018]

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!

Best movie of the summer and maybe the year.

[JohnDeSando · 13 July 2018]

"I don't have the same problem you have." Tom (Thomasin McKenzie)

Will (Ben Foster) in Leave No Trace has PTSD from Iraq, and daughter Tom is so bright as to make you want her for your daughter. No, she doesn't have his hang up about living in society although they are both willingly living as survivalists in the Oregon wilderness.

As artistic minimalism goes, this film is a poster child. Their life is spent making shelter and foraging for dinner, although they do go into town now and then to buy provisions for her robust appetite. Only when they are discovered living illegally on public land do they have to deal with the outside world.

Although this splendidly understated film has less catastrophe and meanness than director Debra Granik's triumphant Winter's Bone, it does have another Jennifer Lawrence in the making in actress Thomasin. It also has a view of the underclass we rarely see: In this film they are not repulsive hillbillies but rather different sets of a kindly lower middle class ready to help father and daughter survive the onslaught of social agencies sincerely trying to keep them from being separated.

In other words, few bad guys appear, even among the state's bureaucrats. It is refreshing to see fellow Americans, disadvantaged themselves, selflessly helping this needy couple. In an age of nastiness, this film gently reintroduces us to a kinder, gentler society and a memorably self-sufficient and humble father and daughter.

Because of the authentic surroundings and excellent acting, as well as themes of isolation and inclusion, Leave no trace may in fact leave one at Oscar time.

"We can still think our own thoughts." Will

An excellent naturalistic drama, with outstanding dialogue and some great performances to boot.

[domtaylor · 7/10 · 7 July 2018]

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.

One of my all-time favorite films, but it might not be yours.

[paul-591 · 10/10 · 22 October 2018]

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.

Quite dull in parts but terrific acting throughout!

[chris_robbo_23 · 6/10 · 26 September 2018]

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.

Leave No Trace poignantly flourishes in depicting a dynamically engrossing family bond.

[TheMovieDiorama · 9/10 · 5 July 2018]

Indie dramas just keep getting better as the years go by. The freedom to be experimental whilst conveying a captivating story makes for a vastly enthralling cinematic experience than the average Hollywood drama. It's no different here, with director Granik perfectly balancing emotional heft with relentless drama. A father and his young daughter live in isolation within a shrouded urban forest, where one mistake leads them into being found by the local authorities. The eloquence and minimalism in Granik's screenplay allows the story to be told visually. The peaceful environment and rural American culture juxtapose the bustling highways of urban society. Yet they complement each other to create an ecosystem for humanity. The same is applied to this relationship. The father, fearful of being discovered and conforming to the aristocracy of modern civilisation, contrasts with his daughter who yearns for environmental stability. After experiencing a glimpse of normality, she envies them. However, it's the bond between them that truly captivated me. They never argue. They never bicker. They understand one another. Mistakes are forgiven, opportunities are seized. It was honestly beautiful to watch. Foster (who is becoming rather commendable with his work) and McKenzie were sensational together, feeding emotions through just their eyes. Granik utilises plenty of horizonal techniques to illustrate these two characters amongst the overwhelmingly luscious foliage. McDonough's cinematography was gorgeous, bountiful of green filters and natural lighting. My only gripe is the lack of backstory, particularly with the mother, which would've elevated the emotional response for the story's conclusion. But what I really appreciate is the unobtrusive approach to what could've been a sensationalistic plot, and the lack of pretentiousness further cements Granik as a mature director who really should be directing more films. A near perfect drama with outstanding performances that deserves your undivided attention.

This a good movie but not an easy movie

[beattygallery-12793 · 7/10 · 16 June 2018]

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.

A good war film

[lastangrypolarbear · 8/10 · 17 June 2018]

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.

Where's mom?

[willgross · 6/10 · 17 July 2018]

What exactly happened to Will in Iraq or Afghanistan? Why does his PTSD only seem to lead to him wanting to live in the woods? He seems mostly functional aside from that, being a loving and supportive father. How long have they been living in the woods?

Maybe my reaction says more about me than it does about the movie. I went to see it with family members having never heard of it. I saw it had a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and I was sold. The score shouldn't be misinterpreted: it is a percentage of reviews that were more positive than negative, it is NOT saying the movie is X percentage good. Instead, it's the likelihood you will like something more than you dislike it. Since I gave the movie a 6/10, I suppose the RT score didn't let me down. If forced into a thumbs up/down binary choice, I would have to point mine up...

But just barely. I found the movie too slow, and the subject matter handled with an ambiguity that undermined its thematic intentions. Will bore no resemblance to any vets with PTSD that I've ever met (and I've met a few). His condition seems simultaneously exaggerated and downplayed, the way it effects him just didn't ring true for me. I do appreciate seeing a movie attempting to tackle the subject, however.

No fault on the part of the two leads, both of whom are terrific, and mining the most out of underwritten characters. Or the unobtrusive, simple, but lovely cinematography, which brilliantly captures Portland and its surrounding environs.

My weeping family members would probably be aghast that I was so Ho-hum on this one, and I don't expect this review to be popular, but since it is being so well received I felt the need to make a case for its genial mediocrity.

Meditative journey through the Pacific Northwest

[jmkosinski · 8/10 · 8 July 2018]

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.

A window into the "other" America

[soundoflight · 6/10 · 8 October 2018]

"Leave No Trace," much like the director's previous work "Winter's Bone," offers a glimpse at the lives of forgotten Americans living in remote corners of the country. It's refreshing in and of itself to see a film based somewhere a bit different, and looking at people's lives we may have otherwise overlooked. And to that end, "Leave No Trace" does a wonderful job of capturing the landscape and spirit of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. And the premise of a man and his daughter surviving in the woods on their own is fascinating.

My main issue with "Leave No Trace" is that people have been making "indie" films almost identical to this for years. It's almost formulaic at this point: take a slice of life out of some downtrodden characters, follow them around for a while, and end on some poignant moment that is supposed to make the viewer think. Case in point: ten years ago there was a film called "Wendy and Lucy" where a woman and her dog down on tough times roam around Oregon that followed the exact same formula. And I can think of others, seen at various film festivals over the years. These are not usually bad films, but there is something a bit sophomoric about them. You are probably either the type that enjoys this style or doesn't.

While there are a few subtleties of this film that I can appreciate, in the end there is nothing much new here, which, for me, makes the film entirely forgettable.

Great subtle storytelling, but I found the events to be unrealistic.

[drewpilcher-39515 · 3/10 · 21 July 2018]

I really liked the style of this movie. Nothing is ever explained, and little is even said, but the plot is sort of inferred from peoples actions. The atmosphere is also perfect, very vivid in it's capture of different environments.

Now here's why I didn't like it very much. This is going to be kind of a spoiler, so stop reading here if you haven't seen it.

So, the *storytelling* is great, but I found the actual story to be unrealistic. Every time the characters encounter the outside world, even the grittier parts of it, they find it to be warm and welcoming. I think the writers did this so as not to distract from the real reason the father went off-grid; but it just comes off as totally contrived. Like it's one thing to have some unusual characters, but its just everybody. Nobody behaves in a realistic way; everyone's just ..too nice.

My second problem is with the girl. Supposedly she's been raised in the woods for a long time, with just her dad and a couple of damp textbooks; but inexplicably whenever she finds herself in a social situation, shes perfectly well adjusted and shows no difficulty. It's a feel good moment when the girl meets a boy or an old woman, and just instantly makes a connection with them and has a nice conversation; but really?? Being in the woods for years had no effect on her?? It just doesn't make any sense.

Basically they portray this totally intense situation; but inexplicably it doesn't seem to have any psychological effect on the characters. This made it very hard to *believe* anything that happened.

Leave No Trace

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 20 May 2019]

Film critic Mark Kermode was saying this was his most favourite film of last year, one of those films where you don't hear characters explaining things as it goes along, I'd heard many good things about it, so I was looking forward to it, written and directed by Debra Granik (Winter's Bone). Basically Will (Ben Foster), an Iraq War veteran suffering from PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), lives with his thirteen-year-old daughter Tom (Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie) in a public park in Portland, Oregon. They live in isolation, only entering town occasionally for food and supplies, and Will makes money by selling his painkillers issued by the VHA (Veterans Health Administration) to other veterans. One day, Tom is spotted in the woods by a jogger, and a short time later police surround them, officers arrest them and place them into social services. They are given food and a house on a Christmas tree farm in rural Oregon, on the condition that Will follows the rules of the homeowner and social services. Will begrudgingly starts work packaging trees but is traumatized by the helicopters used to move them. Tom connects with a boy who is building his own tiny house and seems to be relaxing in their new environment. But she reluctantly follows her father who wants to leave, he tells her that they would have been separated if they didn't conform. Will and Tom hitch a ride with a long-haul trucker (Art Hickman) north to the edge of trackless woods. They bushwhack hoping to find an unoccupied cabin, but it is getting dark and cold, they are forced to build a makeshift tent to survive the night. The next day, they find a vacant cabin and move in. Will leaves to find food but does not return before dark. The next morning, Tom searches for Will and discovers him unconscious at the bottom of a hill, she finds some locals who take them to their mobile home community. Will refuses to be taken to a hospital, so local woman Dale (Dale Dickey) calls her friend, a former Army medic (and fellow PTSD sufferer), who treats Will's leg and lends him his dog from the service. Will and Tom stay in the community while Will's injuries heal. Tom likes their new home, but eventually Will insists they leave. But Tom protests, saying "the same thing that's wrong with you isn't wrong with me." They leave the community together, but Tom stops in the forest, Will realises his daughter can no longer live the life he wants to. They tearfully hug, and part ways, Tom returns to the community, while Will returns to the woods, it is unclear if they will ever reunite. Also starring Jeff Kober as Mr. Walters, Dana Millican as Jean Bauer and Alyssa McKay as Valerie. Foster gives a good performance as the shattered and haunted ex-soldier, and McKenzie is a talent-to-watch as the young girl who is struggling to follow her father. It is a simple premise, a father and daughter living off the grid, a simple mistake and chance encounter changes everything, they are on the run, the daughter wants to remain in one place, while the father wants to keep going, it has good coming-of-age and back-to-nature themes, and the performances of the two leads are fantastic, overall it is a simplistic and interesting drama. Very good!

Remarkably unpredictable and, essentially, exposition-less; an affecting and engaging picture.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 8/10 · 30 June 2018]

'Leave No Trace (2018)' is, remarkably, never predictable or on-the-nose. Instead, it soon settles into its own slow rhythm to provide an experience that's refreshing in its ability to show instead of tell. Often, it refrains from saying anything at all, especially during the moments in which it actually speaks volumes. This is a technique - or, rather, way of thinking - it uses to cut to the heart of its scenes and provide some incredibly raw emotional beats. Even in its 'loudest' of moments, it feels marvellously gentle and is brought to life with a steady, self-assured hand. The film is extremely engaging and has an astute ability to render its core relationship with a wonderfully tender realism, examining its father and daughter duo - as well as the former's traumatic background and scarred mental-state - brilliantly and not always blatantly. This, again, plays into its pretty much perfect 'show, don't tell' mentality and allows you to piece together what's going on behind our core players' eyes. It allows for an empathetic and emotive picture that impacts you in essentially every sequence, especially those towards its devastating yet somewhat inevitable end. Overall, the movie is actually highly enjoyable, and affecting, because of this emotional impact. 8/10

Slow, unengaging, and forgettable

[bldunn-25343 · 6/10 · 26 July 2018]

I guess I should have followed my instincts and walked out of the theater when I got bored at the 20-minute mark so I could see something else. This movie takes until almost the very end to build any palpable tension. I even found myself greatly disliking one of the protagonists, which is a bad sign. Overall, not only was I not engaged, I was not entertained, nor was I left to ponder any thought-provoking moments. Oscar-hopeful, this is not.

Brilliantly acted and directed, a memorable and realistic drama

[Holt344 · 10/10 · 9 November 2019]

This is one of those memorable movies that you will remember for years to come as it is such a deep movie about broken people like the character in this movie that suffers from PTSD, it's a very serious matter and something that the people should get all the help they can and need. Debra Granik does a magnificent job at writing and directing this adaption of Peter Rock's novel, she gave the movie this realistic feeling like we are watching a biopic as it could very well be people that have the same circumstances like Will and Tom that is played brilliantly by Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie, Ben's performance is award worthy, it's a great and important performance. The director did right with turning down the dialogue as it did feel more realistic and it also gave the actors the chance to really act and not just speak which I always enjoy.

There's not many times I agree with critics now days but they are right with this movie, it's great and has some of the best and most real acting I've seen. It deserves more than it's imdb score (7.2) as of 10th November 2019. It's a wonderful and realistic yet a bit depressing tale of a father of a bond that a Father with PTSD has with his daughter, as she is what keeps him going.

doing your job, saying goodbye

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 5 January 2019]

Greetings again from the darkness. It seems like many more than 8 years have passed since filmmaker Debra Granik's outstanding film WINTER'S BONE exploded onto the indie scene and introduced most of us to Jennifer Lawrence (although she had been acting for 5 years prior). The talented Ms. Granik has chosen to adapt another book as her feature film follow-up, and once again nature and an independent spirit play a key role. Based on the novel "My Abandonment" by Peter Rock, it's the story of a father and daughter who live off the grid ... until society catches up to them.

Ben Foster (always exceptional) plays Will, a war veteran and father to Tom, his teenage daughter played brilliantly by Thomasin McKenzie. The two live off the grid in the forests outside of Portland. An extended opening sequence with very little dialogue shows us their daily life: capturing rain water, cutting trees for firewood, hiding their camp site, and drilling on making themselves 'disappear' in the foliage. It's in these scenes where cinematographer Michael McDonough shines. His camera work allows us to feel as if we are in the damp forest as the sun rays peek through the trees. It's a beautiful sight despite our uneasiness towards the father-daughter situation.

When Park Rangers discover them, the two enter the Social Services system, but rather than treat us to yet another uncaring and incompetent bureaucracy, director Granik allows human kindness and reasonableness to play its part. Will and Tom are moved onto a farm where she will enroll in school and he will work on a Christmas tree farm. Of course, we know that Will is not cut out for this life, though we begin to see Tom show signs of true independence and her own dreams.

They make their way back into the woods and an injury - and more human kindness - has them end up in a camp with other outliers. The story really captures the conflict between a society that is obligated to educate and protect children, and the same society that has little clue how to assist veterans of war. We see folks who just want to be left alone, and others who maybe can't fit in to society - or have no interest in trying.

Supporting work is provided by Dana Millican, the great Dale Dickey, and Isiah Stone (one of the kids from WINTER'S BONE). There is a believability here rarely seen on the big screen, and the love between father and daughter is something to behold. Ms. Granik says so much by saying very little, but what could be such a bleak story actually revels in the kindness to fellow man - the type of kindness which seems all too rare these days.

One of the best movies of the year, period

[paul-allaer · 9/10 · 14 July 2018]

"Leave No Trace" (2018 release; 110 min.) brings the story of an army veteran with PTSD (Will) and his 13 or 14 yr. old daughter (Tom). As the movie opens, we get to know Will and Tom, who are living off the grid, literally, in a large park near Portland. They are chopping wood, tending to the fire, fixing a bite to eat. No mention of where the mother is. Then some days later, disaster strikes: Tom is spotted by someone, who call the park rangers and Portland Police. It's not long before Will and Tom are located and taken in for further questioning (apparently it's illegal to "live" on public parks). At this point we are less than 15 min. into the movie but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the long overdue return from writer-director Debra Granik, who some years ago brought the outstanding "Winter's Bone" (Granik did an under-the-radar documentary between these 2 movies). Here Granik looks at the impact of PTDS on an army veteran and his daughter. The veteran battles demons in his sleep, and restlessness when he's awake, causing them to move from part to park. This is a plot-heavy movie, so I really don't want to say much more than that. Just watch. Ben Foster brings an accomplished performance as Will. But the show is really stolen by the astonishing (and breakout) performance by relative newcomer Thomasin McKenzie as Tom, the daughter who wants to support so badly. Surely this is just the beginning that we've seen of her, and I can't wait to see what she'll do next. Last but certainly not least, the movie's photography (in Oregon) is colorful and lush, just eye-candy. Please note that this movie is rated PG, but in my opinion should not be viewed by kids younger than, say, 12. Not because there is anything "wrong" in the movie, but I guarantee you that young kids will simply be bored. So PG rated, but not really a kids film.

"Leave No Trace" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The Saturday matinee screening where I saw this at was PACKED, I am very happy to report (the 95 degree weather nay have had something to do with that). "Leave No Trace" is one of those rare movies that is 100% certified fresh Rotten Tomatoes. Yes, it is that good! If you are in the mood for a wonderful character study of an army veteran with PTSD with his young daughter, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater, on VOD or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion/ For me, "Leave No Trace" is a WINNER all the way.

I guess it's not my cuppa tea.

[thenoble-25332 · 6/10 · 5 July 2019]

I found the story interesting but also found it long and kind of boring. Don't get me wrong it doesn't need big action scenes or anything like that, it just didn't seem to catch me. I guess it's not my cuppa tea.

What is Home?

[ThomasDrufke · 8/10 · 2 August 2018]

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

Build up, build up and more build up

[tudorradulescu · 6/10 · 22 April 2020]

The movie starts off promising but doesn't deliver anything towards the end. It feels like it is only the beginning of a movie.

While i like movies that leave you in the dark, this leaves too many unanswered questions.Their whole journey remains the same throughout the movie without actually achieving anything.

I wish something interesting would happen but it is not captivating at all and highly predictable. I kept waiting for the moment where something i wasn't expecting would happen but that moment never came.

Very good acting from both protagonists and i enjoyed looking at the beautiful scenery and cinematics, but that's about it. 6/10

Disappointed

[ohajee · 2/10 · 23 July 2018]

At some point you can't keep the audience in the dark for the entire movie. While most movies have a beginning, middle, and end, it seemed this had a beginning, beginning and beginning. It just never really picked up.

I'm shocked IMDB and rotten tomatoes had such a positive rating on this.

I appreciated the cinematography and acting, but towards the end i was hoping for the movie to finally end.

Deeply respectful of its subject, but its greatest asset is also its biggest flaw

[Bertaut · 7/10 · 8 July 2018]

In Walden, his 1854 memoir/philosophical treatise, Henry David Thoreau chronicles a period of two years, two months, and two days during which time he lived alone in a small cabin he himself had built in the forest near Walden Pond, Massachusetts, on property owned by his mentor and friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Inspired by the tenets of transcendentalism, of especial importance to Thoreau was "Self-Reliance", an 1841 essay by Emerson, which argues that an individual must avoid conformity, follow their own ideas and concepts, and trust in their own instincts if they are to attain a deeper understanding of the nature of existence ("Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Society is a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs. Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind"). In Walden, Thoreau was putting this concept to the test, isolating himself from civil society, and existing in nature with only the barest means of subsistence ("I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach").

Walden went on to become one of the (many) foundational texts of libertarianism, the core principles of which are the valuation of personal liberty above all else, and the encouragement of scepticism towards authority in general, and the state/government in particular. All of which brings us to Leave no Trace, which could, perhaps, be described as a darker version of Captain Fantastic (2016). Directed by Debra Granik, and written for the screen by Granik and Anne Rosellini, based on Peter Rock's 2010 novel, My Abandonment, the film tells the story of Will (Ben Foster), a veteran suffering from PTSD, who is living off the grid with his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie), making their home in a national park in Portland, Oregon. There, they embody many of the concepts underpinning Emerson's notions of self-reliance; individual authority, nonconformity, solitude, internal self-truth, with Will especially valuing freedom of thought. However, when a jogger sees Tom, park wardens are dispatched to track them down, and social services open an investigation into their situation. Will is aghast, resenting the infringement upon his autonomy, recalling Iain King's statement that "autonomy should only be infringed if a person is unable to know their own interests on a particular matter". This certainly isn't the case with Will, and he sees no reason why he and Tom shouldn't be allowed to continue to live in their own way.

None of the philosophical theories outlined above are explicitly mentioned anywhere in the film. However, knowledge of them definitely helps one to more easily understand Will. Whether Granik or Rosellini are even aware of these concepts is beside the point, as they serve to give one a more assured theoretical entry point into a not easily penetrated film. For example, does one have to know that Will is at stage six of Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development to understand or enjoy the film? No, of course not. Does it help? Absolutely.

On a less theoretical note, the film does a lot that on paper would seem to be wrong; for long stretches of time, there is no real sense of any kind of standard Aristotelian conflict, as we simply observe Will and Tom going about their day. In tandem with this, the film is extremely light on plot, incident, and tangible character development, focusing instead on mood and tone, and calling upon the actors to externalise their emotions through action and expression rather than dialogue. Obviously, this means almost everything hinges on the quality of the performances and the believability of the bond between the characters. Thankfully, both Foster and McKenzie are exceptional - he plays Will as someone who has seen the darker side of humanity and has no time for frivolousness, whereas she plays Tom as someone desperate to have a childhood, but who also wants to make her father proud. In one particularly telling scene, when they must leave on a moment's notice, he tells her to pack only what is essential, and she places a toy horse in her backpack, but only after she has wrapped it up so Will can't see it, an action which tells us a great deal about both characters.

The film's pacing is both its greatest asset, and its biggest flaw. To speed things up would have compromised the tone Granik is going for. However, this kind of methodical pacing is likely to alienate a lot of viewers, who will undoubtedly criticise the film as boring, and its focus on Will and Tom to the exclusion of almost everything else as too narrow. When it does branch out (for example, a minor sub-theme is the treatment of veterans upon their return to society), it is only insofar as to show how the two main characters are affected. What's especially interesting about the story, however, is that the narrative seems predicated on the transcendentalist notion of the inherent goodness of people; pretty much everyone Will and Tom encounter is trying to do right by them, even the social workers are genuinely trying to help them. In the end, what the film gives us is a deeply respectful portraiture of a man trying to make the best of it in the only way he knows how. A fine film.