Leave No Trace - Movie Review

Leave No Trace appeared in theaters with no fanfare. The film was adapted and directed by Debra Granik, who gave us the amazing film Winter's Bone several years ago. I almost missed this film, which played at my local independent theater. As a member of the veteran's group here on Steemit, I would encourage everyone (particularly veterans) to watch this heart-warming but difficult film.

At it's heart, Leave No Trace is a love story. But it's a story rooted in reality. Because love does not always "conquer all." It is a story about a father's love and his struggles with PTSD. We know that there are a disproportionate number of veterans among America's homeless population. Normal coping mechanisms are sometimes lost in war. It seems that Will (Ben Foster) had some pretty serious events during his war-time service. It is inferred that his wife died at some point, leaving Will to raise his teenage daughter, Tom (Thomasin McKenzie). His love for his daughter is evident in every detail of survivalist existence. The pair live off the land in a state park in Portland, Oregon.

In outward appearance, Will and Tom live the same life. But they exist in different worlds. Tom doesn't have PTSD. She doesn't have the social struggles her father has. She has the same normal need for social interaction that any teenager does. When the pair are discovered by park rangers, they are placed on paths bound to diverge. Their love for each other is an immensely strong bond that often overpowers the severe darkness in Will's soul, but possibly not strong enough to overpower the inevitable. A reality that Tom eventually embraces, allowing their deep care for each other to exist in the void between them.

Leave No Trace is a hard story to watch. It is based on the book My Abandonment by Peter Rock. The story has a strong visual quality, opting at times for silence to move the story. While plodding at times, the film still feels like it forces us forward. We feel compelled to go places we don't really want to go. I felt myself attempting to will the story different directions. The film brings us intimately close to the two main characters and their struggles. Will's struggle with his tortured soul and Tom's struggle with her lack of stability and social interaction entangle us in a myriad of emotions as the pair navigate an uncertain and changing world around them. The story is compelling, although slow at times. It is too engaging for the pacing to take it off track. It feels like part of the struggle we become knotted up in.

When I watched Winter's Bone, I talked a lot about a young, unknown actress named Jennifer Lawrence. It was obvious she had a bright future ahead of her. As a parallel to that story, Debra Granik found another teenage girl to carry her film. Thomasin McKenzie has a small body of work, none of it familiar to me. But she was perfectly cast in this role. She combined an innocence, tenderness and strength that seemed an odd combination together. But she pulled it off. Her resolve in the film seemed an interesting contrast to her innocence and vulnerability. She nailed the role. I can't wait to see her next work. Ben Foster was equally impressive. I can't imagine this role being better cast. Foster brought a brooding darkness to his role that felt genuine. Hollywood has a way of exaggerating PTSD that creates negative stereotypes. It was interesting to see the issue portrayed in the extreme, without the outward violence and complete dysfunction often associated with PTSD. Foster and McKenzie had great chemistry.

While Leave No Trace deals with difficult issues like PTSD and homelessness, the film doesn't attempt to sensationalize the issues. The film takes a moderate approach, giving viewers a subdued and introspective view on the topic. With deep characters, we are drawn in without some of the violence, nudity, drug addiction or other issues common to today's cinema. This film manages to deliver a gripping story that could be shown on television without editing, in my opinion. The film managed a PG rating from the MPAA, mostly because the issues discussed are difficult issues. The most tense material likely being when Tom is questioned about her past. The film has a run time of one hour, 49 minutes.

Leave No Trace is the type of film that appeals to the award committees. It is also the type that appeals to audiences, as difficult as the subject matter can be to wrestle with. The film already has a couple of minor nominations and wins, but I expect it to see some more widely recognized awards in its future. I was moved by this film. It hit close to home, but it also had value. It told a story without feeling the need to go too far. I was invested in this story. The characters mattered to me. Grazik has a way of delivering that. With careful casting choices and compelling subject matter, the film gives us a chance to reflect on big issues without banging us over the head. It was subtle but exceptional. 8/10.