Undescribable Perfection

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Excellent but underrated film

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Leave no trace is a beautifully acted, written, and filmed movie that will unfortunately be tossed under the radar despite being a masterful film.

Great screenplay and performances make this low budget film the best of 2018 so far. You don't need millions of pounds of CGI, A list 'actors' and massive publicity campaigns to make a damn good film. The film is basically about a U.S. army veteran Will (Ben Foster) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who brings his teenage daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) in the wild, literally. On public woodland in Oregon. Obviously these living conditions don't go down to well with the local social services and Will and Tom are rehoused in a tree cutter businessman/farmer's spare property. The arrangement is grudgingly followed for a few weeks to appease the authorities before Will returns to his survival in the wild lifestyle. To escape the local authorities moving to an area far away. (Leaving no trace!) Will and Tom are eventually taken in by a trailer community when Will is immobilised by injury for a while. The inner demons of Will are revealed by other vets with similar issues. The performances of the unknown cast are excellent. I did wonder about the history of Tom's mother. That is not explored. The relationship between father and daughter is what makes this film for me. The woody Oregon environment makes for a great cinematic backdrop. I reiterate how deep the film has an effect on the viewer. For such a low budget film with a limited release a triumph.

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.

Rather than pen a hefty set of paragraphs, let me point out some brilliant but tiny artistic touches that compensate for what some viewers might find the movie's slow action. I do not think they rise to the level of genuine spoilers: a) the name given to one of the 4H club's rabbits, b) "Tom's" subtle but poignant facial gestures, and c) a pair of wordless sounds she and her father use for secret communication. (As with much fine art, less is more...)