"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.
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.