Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Leave No Trace (2018)

10

netflicJul 16, 2018

This is the latest film from director Debra Granik, famous for making one of my most favorite movies, "Winter's Bone". If you liked "Winter's Bone", you will love this film.
It's a story about an army vet with PTSD who lives in the woods withThis is the latest film from director Debra Granik, famous for making one of my most favorite movies, "Winter's Bone". If you liked "Winter's Bone", you will love this film.
It's a story about an army vet with PTSD who lives in the woods with his teenage daughter. They are hiding from people because he seems not to be able to live among them. He tries his best to provide for his daughter teaching her survival skills, homeschooling her, etc. They are very close, there is no need for lengthy dialogs. His daughter's mom is not in the picture, the girl practically does not remember her. She is all he's got in this life yet at some point the girl insists that she wants to live among people.
There are no villains in this movie, no violence; people do what they think they should. Yet it is so dramatic, raw and emotional...
All aspects of movie making are fantastic: performances, script, cinematography, realism. Every little detail is crisp and believable.

Brilliant movie, the best this year so far. Definitely Oscar material in many categories.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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8

TVJerryJul 17, 2018

Ben Foster plays a disturbed vet who lives with his daughter (newcomer Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie) in the forest park outside Portland, Oregon. Their relationship is tried when they're pressed into living in a more traditional environment.Ben Foster plays a disturbed vet who lives with his daughter (newcomer Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie) in the forest park outside Portland, Oregon. Their relationship is tried when they're pressed into living in a more traditional environment. Director Debra Granik ("Winter's Bone") has created an underplayed examination of their relationship with sensitive beauty beauty. There are no big emotions or big calamities, just a compelling journey with a quiet intensity and memorable performances.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

Compi24Jul 14, 2018

Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie may be the most steadfast on-screen duo this year in terms of performances, but beyond that, there's not much else to Debra Granik's wayfaring wilderness drama, "Leave No Trace." It's not necessarily as thoughBen Foster and Thomasin McKenzie may be the most steadfast on-screen duo this year in terms of performances, but beyond that, there's not much else to Debra Granik's wayfaring wilderness drama, "Leave No Trace." It's not necessarily as though nothing happens, but the characterization and direction makes it feel as though nothing has. The pacing is trying, the movie never really builds to anything, and there are several plot threads left unattended by the time its closing credits roll. All in all, it's a nice-looking and well acted ride, but nothing more than that.… Expand

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7

GreatMartinJul 23, 2018

“Leave No Trace” is a small, independent film with very little, what an audience would call ‘action’ but the film offers the beautiful scenery of Oregon forests, love of animals, a super performance by young Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie matched“Leave No Trace” is a small, independent film with very little, what an audience would call ‘action’ but the film offers the beautiful scenery of Oregon forests, love of animals, a super performance by young Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie matched by Ben Foster as her father Will and an emotional ending.
Tom and her father have been living in the woods of Forest Park completely undetected for a couple of years. Her mother had died when Tom was young and her father suffers PTSD and we follow what happens when they are ‘discovered’ and brought into the world of community. There is a strong love between daughter and father and though she finds sharing life with others is giving something a growing teenager needs she does not want to be separated from her Dad.
Tom is way ahead scholastically due to the teaching by her father but meeting bunnies, dogs even bees along with discovering what the 4H is, learning how to ride a bike and meets a friendly boy, giving her a taste what she may have missed not knowing she was missing it.
There is no high drama regarding Will’s illness, no question if the two are homeless or just not living as most people do, just a quiet look at how people can take your heart and, sometimes, that is not enough.
“Leave No Trace” is a linear story that, in a sense, has an open ending but you have come to know these two people to the point that you almost know what will happen to them in the future—with some doubt.
Though it may not be a ‘must see’ it certainly is a way to escape the South Florida heat and humidity for an hour and fifty minutes and watching Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie give a star making turn is certainly worth your time.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

moviemitch96Jul 12, 2018

While it feels a little "been there, done that" and doesn't really bring anything new to the table due to some recent similar films about living in/surviving in the wilderness or being on the run (i.e. 'Captain Fantastic' and 'The GlassWhile it feels a little "been there, done that" and doesn't really bring anything new to the table due to some recent similar films about living in/surviving in the wilderness or being on the run (i.e. 'Captain Fantastic' and 'The Glass Castle'), this turned out to be a simple yet highly effective and thoughtful look at the bond of a father and daughter trying to simply make their way in the world. Been Foster and Thomasin McKenzie are so endearing together and really seem to form a genuine connection in every scene they share together. Like their traveling characters in the film however, the story felt rather all over the place at times and the ending was a slight letdown for me, but overall, Foster and McKenzie's onscreen chemistry and performances are the beating heart of this often rather touching film with lots of realistic and poignant themes to boot.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

Brent_MarchantJul 7, 2018

An intriguing if sometimes somewhat meandering tale about living off the grid, dealing with adaptation to society's expectations and reconciling our feelings about our past. The film's superb performances and beautiful cinematography lendAn intriguing if sometimes somewhat meandering tale about living off the grid, dealing with adaptation to society's expectations and reconciling our feelings about our past. The film's superb performances and beautiful cinematography lend much to an engaging story that undoubtedly captures the smoldering sentiments many of us feel but don't have the courage to act upon. A little tightening up in the editing and a better fleshed-out back story would have helped make this a truly great film, though, as it stands now, it's certainly one of 2018's better offerings.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

buddhalouJan 10, 2019

Slow, quiet, and beautiful like the surroundings it takes place in and not the least bit boring for it. Got me right in the feels a few times, for sure. Ben Foster continues to impress and the kid in this, Thomasin McKenzie, was a delight.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

JLuis_001Sep 29, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Leave No Trace in a way is a minimalist film, definitely discreet. Based on Peter Rock's novel ''My Abandonment'' which is inspired by the true story of a veteran and his 12-year-old daughter who were discovered living in a Portland's Forest Park.

The way in which the film begins if you didn't know what you were dealing with, you might believe that it's a story located in a post-apocalyptic world, but that's simply not the case. Will (Ben Foster) is an Army veteran who suffers from PTSD and has exiled himself to live in isolation in a national park with his teenage daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie).

The film gives us few clues but they're enough to understand the background of Will's character and in that way to better understand his relationship with Tom, which eventually begins to build the perspective between both of them. Especially Tom's perspective, which sets the foundation of the whole story and what eventually leads to its ending when they must take separate paths. Him for not being able to recover and wants to continue living isolated, while Tom decides that she cannot go with him again and needs to try to have a normal life.

Leave No Trace is certainly emotional but as I said, the approach is discreet, it's a sober and concise story. Its strengths are its protagonists and both Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie do an excellent job.

Although director Debra Manik had already directed a documentary in 2014, this film feels like a natural progression for what she did in ''Winter's Bone''.
Leave No Trace is not a grandiloquent or striking film but if you are looking for an intimate and fairly well made film, it's an excellent option.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

DufreshestJul 22, 2018

Leave No Trace is a film inspired by the book My Abandonment written by Peter Rock. Obviously, there are many discrepancies between films inspired by the stories in books and the actual stories in the books. As much as the story and filmLeave No Trace is a film inspired by the book My Abandonment written by Peter Rock. Obviously, there are many discrepancies between films inspired by the stories in books and the actual stories in the books. As much as the story and film differ, I find Leave No Trace radically adjusts the narrative to direct and instruct more so than fulfill the telling of the story written by Peter Rock. My Abandonment feels like more of a therapeutic process similar to Helen MacDonald’s H is for Hawk which carries a poetic resonance of Annie Dillard’s Holy the Firm though is less agonizing and grueling than the latter two mentioned.

Leave No Trace utilizes the “The Principles of Leave No Trace” in action to fulfill a core element of the story branching from My Abandonment which concerns leaving as is and letting go. There is a full redemption in the film and a freeing relinquishing that does not exist in My Abandonment. There are more than a few concepts at play in Leave No Trace — some more apparent than others — that must be addressed in accordance with the text of its inspiration.

There are very awkward still moments in the film that indicate an awkward attachment between the father and daughter which makes more sense in connection with the book focusing on Caroline’s (Tom/Yellow in the film) relationship with her father. Adoptive families and families from which adoptees come from are important topics which find a spin throughout the film which makes Will (Tom/Yellow’s father in the film) look more like a person assisting with and disrupting home placement at the same time (which ends up making the film more about a father-daughter relationship than a film about adoption processes).

Will becomes a more understanding parent by action as the film progresses and stands as a guiding force which gives Tom/Yellow the tools necessary to break away into her own. Tom/Yellow begins delineating the circumstances of which she wants to live with which is very important in viewing. Tom and Will spend a lot of time staring at each other conversing: both of them seem to be slowly separating especially as Tom begins to find that living with her father’s way of life is not most suitable to her liking. Leave No Trace makes choice very available for women — growing women in particular — that struggle breaking away from their fatherly nurturing to discover a broader world of choices available to them. In the film, Tom/Yellow is a woman of sensible grounding that has undergone proper training from her father on ways to survive and is capable of assessing social situations about her well enough to progress without suffering overwhelmingly due to her upbringing though she does go through slight troubles poetically shown through her interactions with her father in the film.

The other aspect is that lives are different regardless of the family from which one comes. There might be a familial purpose to assist growth — but, that will never be able to undermine an individual’s need — even want — to develop their life, within their own life, of their own circumstances. The film shows a great understanding from Tom/Yellow which results in a peaceable separation between Will and Tom. The book, My Abandonment, showcases a much rougher separation between Caroline (Tom/Yellow) and her father. Also, the effects of the daughter-father relationship extremely affect Caroline’s developments as an individual breaking into a more public-social realm: the daughter’s reality is completely twisted because of her relationship with her father and prevents her from even accepting the assistance of non-judgmental women willing to help her.

Both the film and the book create an accepting and overcoming on the daughter’s part of the father’s circumstances as well as of developing familial circumstances as the daughter in both the book and the film progress on their own with their available mind and skill sets. I understand the importance of parenting in one’s life — more so than parenting — guidance. People need guidance depending on their experiential, knowledge, and understanding levels which varies from person to person. I like the patience shown in the film which indicates a slow process might be necessary and best moving forward in one’s life where as in the text the daughter continues on her path though eventually finds her own pacing within the pacing she has come to learn from her father. There are a lot of good relationships that are available and to be had that should not find disruption due to one’s behavioral habits and understandings that may be detrimental to personal growths. A mind capable of truly developing and understanding does not suffer from having to experience familiarity and is capable of a flexibility which allows for the creation of life without bounds across many, if not all, mediums of existence. Overall: B+/A-

IG: @Dufreshest… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

LamontRaymondJul 5, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Next to The Rider, it's probably the movie of the year. Ben Foster's performance is subtle and brilliant, but he is topped by the actress who plays his daughter. She's pitch perfect. It's an interesting spotlight on the margins of society. Also interesting that the government separated parents from children in a non-border, non-incarceration context. I suppose it's necessary for well-meaning government agencies to assess the fitness of parents in these situations. Regardless, I love how the film highlights the generosity of regular folks (the truck driver, the trailer-park lady, the ex-army medic) who look out for others strictly because they are human beings - and not because there's something in it for them. Foster plays the vet role with extreme dignity, and he's never over-the-top. Easy recommendation for anyone.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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10

The3AcademySinsJul 6, 2018

This movie gripped me in ways that I totally did not expect. I was wowed by Ben Foster and even more wowed by Thomasin McKenzie. Debra Granik has done it again. This film is a masterpiece of emotion and cinematography. There is very littleThis movie gripped me in ways that I totally did not expect. I was wowed by Ben Foster and even more wowed by Thomasin McKenzie. Debra Granik has done it again. This film is a masterpiece of emotion and cinematography. There is very little dialogue in the film, and instead tells a visual story with more weight than the most talkative of dramas. This is a must see, and one of the best films I have seen this year.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

amiscoeJul 15, 2018

The scenery was beautiful, the story interesting, the acting good. But like with Winter's Bone, I just wasn't totally buying it. It was hard to know how old the girl, Tom, is. 12, 13, 14? At first she talks like a nine or ten year old, butThe scenery was beautiful, the story interesting, the acting good. But like with Winter's Bone, I just wasn't totally buying it. It was hard to know how old the girl, Tom, is. 12, 13, 14? At first she talks like a nine or ten year old, but we can see she is older than that. She's not menstruating? So let's say she is 12. She's an "old soul" as the social worker said of her. But she is still a kid. I'm just not sure about these movies that are completely reliant on self possessed, motherless girls. I had the same reaction to the book, Secret Life of Bees. And bees are featured in this movie as some kind of metaphor for life. The story was way too idealized. Motherless girls are not self possessed. They grow up in many was dissociated from their own feelings. The film was beautifully made. I just wish the story had more realism to the inner life of the girl. We don't do our girls a favor when we don't tell the truth of female experience.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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2

SWEEPtheLEG175Jul 6, 2018

Ben Foster is always great and his co-star was as well, but this is an extremely boring film. I didn't buy into the Ben Foster's character and why he has to do the things he does. Just seemed like a quitter.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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10

FelicityFenwickAug 16, 2018

I love this film. Ben Foster and the actress playing his daughter put on such tremendous, restrained performance. The story is heartbreaking. Interesting to see that Oregon divides families in this non-immigration context.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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0

bataguilaDec 11, 2018

Un asco, no trata de nada, es de hueva, lo peor del año junto the rider, lo unico bueno la chavita esta guapita

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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3

OlivierPielSep 26, 2018

very disappointing. It's flat and dry. And turned the lush allure of the fantastic scenery surrounding the main characters as drab as an English suburb. It's the opposite of that nice movie Mr. Fantastic with Viggo Mortensen. The only goodvery disappointing. It's flat and dry. And turned the lush allure of the fantastic scenery surrounding the main characters as drab as an English suburb. It's the opposite of that nice movie Mr. Fantastic with Viggo Mortensen. The only good cinematic moments happen at the start and end of the movie with gorgeous photography. The rest is the typical example of how cinema ruins a book by trying to be "realistic", "telling a story" or understand the "psychology" of its main characters. A film will never beat the written word in that respect. Ben Forster was especially bad in that film imho.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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0

MerryladyJul 15, 2018

OMG, Save yourself! do not go see this slow moving and boring movie! How anyone thinks this movie was good is beyond my comprehension, A root canal would be less painful!

1 of 18 users found this helpful117

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3

mppMar 14, 2019

The problem with this film is Foster's character: poorly cast and poorly written. For the film to work, the viewer needs some degree of empathy for Foster, despite the poor decisions, yet it provides none. The man is beyond selfish; he's aThe problem with this film is Foster's character: poorly cast and poorly written. For the film to work, the viewer needs some degree of empathy for Foster, despite the poor decisions, yet it provides none. The man is beyond selfish; he's a drug dealer, a thief, a child abuser, and not so hot at living off the land. I was rooting for him to be crushed by a tree within the first 10 mins of the film so that his daughter coukd be free of him.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

mvrtsMay 15, 2020

I usually trust Metacritic user reviews over any other website (for some odd reason) but this is the first time I’ve been disappointed. Maybe it’s because of the fairly small sample size, but this movie should not be an 8 at all, not evenI usually trust Metacritic user reviews over any other website (for some odd reason) but this is the first time I’ve been disappointed. Maybe it’s because of the fairly small sample size, but this movie should not be an 8 at all, not even close.

Acting is great especially from Tom, and the father is more of a supporting act. But other than that it’s like watching a candle melt and waiting for something to happen. We’re never told anything about the Father other than he’s ex-military and might have ptsd. Nor the where why of the plot, it’s just empty and left for interpretation. Before the credits rolled I was like “this can’t be it right?” and before I knew it the credits rolled. It’s like any adventure movie going for the climax and never getting there. The acting is the only thing that saves this movie, I would say don’t watch it but ppl still will and be disappointed. Beware… Expand

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7

tonyGreenAug 27, 2021

The tone and style is very stark and realistic, and the dialogue sparse but powerful. It has some real emotional weight and a great portrayal of the central father daughter relationship. Solid.