“Leave No Trace” (2018) – Movie Review

Written and Directed by Debra Granik

Co-written by Anne Rosellini

Starring Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie

‘Deeply Moving Drama’

Imagine living a life of solitude in the wilderness. With no food, resources or supplies in nearby sight, you must survive all on your own. All you have got is your skills and your resourceful teenage daughter by your side. It is a perfectly peaceful life without any worries. Then, all of a sudden, your life is turned upside down when you are discovered by the local authorities. Now, you have no choice but to give up your way of living and reintegrate into society. How would you react if you were put into this situation? Would you immediately lose hope or be able to adjust to a new way of life?

This is the intriguing premise of Debra Granik’s latest film “Leave No Trace”. A tense survival drama, it focuses on a father and daughter’s struggle to adapt to society after living in the woods. Director Debra Granik has crafted a deeply moving film about a father and daughter that are determined to stick together, even when the circumstances in their life threaten to tear them apart. With gorgeous cinematography and brilliant performances from the cast, the film beautifully captures the struggles faced by a homeless family. Due to its slow pace, “Leave No Trace” may not be a film that will appeal to everyone. That being said, it is a riveting story of survival that deserves to be seen.

Based on the book “My Abandonment” by Peter Rock, “Leave No Trace” follows the journey of a father and his thirteen year old daughter through the wilderness. Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie star in the lead roles as Will and Tom, a nature-loving father and daughter that live on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon. However, their peaceful lives are disrupted when they are discovered by local authorities. As Will and Tom attempt to reintegrate into society, their relationship begins to fall apart.

Director Debra Granik is no stranger to stories of survival. Ever since she first stepped onto the scene in 2010 with “Winter’s Bone”, Granik has proven time and again that she knows how to make films about survival. Her films are always beautifully shot, and focus on ordinary people with a strong will to survive. And “Leave No Trace” is no exception. It is a visually stunning film that grabs your attention from the first minute and refuses to let go. Through breathtaking cinematography, Granik transports the viewer deep into the wilderness. From intimate close-ups to stunning establishing shots, the cinematography enhances the film to another level. Not only does it capture the viewer’s attention, but it gives the film a dark atmosphere. From a visual standpoint, it is unlikely that you will see a film that is as gorgeous as “Leave No Trace” this year.

Using these stunning visuals, director Debra Granik crafts a heartwarming father-daughter story that is sure to resonate with any parent. With “Leave No Trace”, Granik tackles timely issues which are rarely ever explored in films nowadays. Whether it is the issue of homelessness or isolation in a community, the film covers difficult topics. In the hands of a lesser director, the film may have been overdramatized or given the Hollywood treatment. Thankfully, though, Granik manages to avoid these pitfalls. Instead, she takes a realistic approach to telling the story using compelling characters and believable scenarios. Each scene is grounded in a sense of realism and authenticity that is rare to see in films of this kind. Moreover, the father and daughter are larger-than-life characters with interesting backstories. Over the course of the film, we come to care about these people and become emotionally invested in their lives.

While the cast isn’t made up of the most well-known stars, Granik still manages to get fantastic performances out of them. Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie are exceptional in the lead roles, creating a father-daughter relationship that is utterly believable. Both actors deserve to be recognized come awards season.

Ben Foster delivers one of the best performances of his career as Will. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly immersed in his most demanding role to date. As a traumatized war veteran struggling to raise his daughter, Foster brings real gravitas and empathy to the character. At times, he is able to communicate emotions without speaking a single word. He has an astonishing ability to convey emotions through a simple glance or facial expression. It’s a tremendously moving performance from one of the finest actors working today.

Thomasin McKenzie, on the other hand, is a revelation in the role of the teenage daughter. In her first ever leading role, McKenzie commands every scene she is in with confidence that is rare to see in an actress of her age. With soulful expressions, she captures the persona of a stubborn, determined and strong-willed teenager. Remarkably, for a first-time actress, she conveys maturity and wisdom well beyond her years. While McKenzie isn’t well-known in the industry, this star-making performance will surely gain her the recognition she deserves.

Although “Leave No Trace” offers a powerfully acted portrait of a homeless family, it is not a film without flaws. If I had a minor issue with the film, it would be the lengthy running time. At nearly two hours, the film is slightly overlong and drags in certain places. The story remains engaging for the most part, but there are times when it meanders and loses the viewer’s attention. It is a film that moves at a snail’s pace, taking its time to develop the characters and plot. Some viewers will be absorbed by the pacing, while others will find it hard to not glance at their watch. Due to its slow pacing, the film may not appeal to mainstream audiences.

Nevertheless, fans of Debra Granik’s previous films will definitely enjoy “Leave No Trace” and so will anyone willing to watch it. It is one of those rare independent films that have been made for movie-goers seeking fresh and thought-provoking entertainment. And in a Summer that has offered its fair share of mindless movies, I’m definitely one of them.

4/5 stars