From the director of Winter's Bone comes Leave No Trace. This drama film directed by Debra Granik, adapted by Granik and Anne Rosellini, and based on the novel My Abandonment by Peter Rock. Will and his teenage daughter, Tom, have lived off the grid for years in the forests of Portland, Oregon. When their idyllic life is shattered, both are put into social services. After clashing with their new surroundings, Will and Tom set off on a harrowing journey back to their wild homeland.
The film stars Ben Foster, Thomasin McKenzie, Jeff Kober, and Dale Dickey. The strong performances by McKenzie and Foster kept things from becoming overdramatic. McKenzie effectively shows the fear, need and hope at war within Tom, how the false high of being clean for a week can fade when she realizes the second week isn't going to be any easier. In moments of confrontation, McKenzie is as fearsome as Jennifer Lawrence in Winter' Bone, taking on monsters to protect the small and the vulnerable. If there were an ounce of taste left in Hollywood, Foster and McKenzie would be front-runners for the Best Actor and Actress Oscars.
The film boasts a breakout performance by McKenzie and an exceedingly unhappy storyline. It's a movie you "appreciate" more than you "enjoy." Though it can often be a long, opaque slog through the woods, the primary appeal of the film is how convincingly it conveys the strange, orthodox logic of this parallel universe. The film takes us down an unexpected path with riveting skill and a refreshing lack of easy answers. You can feel the chill of the Oregon winter and the dull ache of the characters' poverty in Granik's film. The film is so pitch perfect and realistic, it seems you are there with these people, watching their lives unfold before you as it happens. Call me a sucker for punishment but I find myself drawn to these harrowing tales, and the film is certainly one of those. The film achieves what only the best independent films have: making life, at its most unvarnished, a journey. With locations and characters that feel so authentic, yet mysterious, it creates its own genre: anthropological horror. The film emerges with an aura of authenticity so strong as to be mesmerizing, thanks to a superior script brought to life with infallibly natural performances. Beautifully shot across the vast, bleak landscapes of rural Oregon, Granik's minimalistic tale of strength and determination is a deeply moving experience, propelled by the amazing performances of McKenzie and Foster. The film is a glimpse into the private lives and dirty secrets of people trying to claw their way to a better place. Granik and Rosellini's adaptation is a simple affair, allowing McKenzie's grim determination to keep you hooked. And it works. Beneath the fierce naturalism of the stark chilly/beautiful imagery and tough performances is a rural noir in an unforgiving world and Granik tells the story with great skill.
The film boasts a breakout performance by McKenzie and an exceedingly unhappy storyline. It's a movie you "appreciate" more than you "enjoy." Though it can often be a long, opaque slog through the woods, the primary appeal of the film is how convincingly it conveys the strange, orthodox logic of this parallel universe. The film takes us down an unexpected path with riveting skill and a refreshing lack of easy answers. You can feel the chill of the Oregon winter and the dull ache of the characters' poverty in Granik's film. The film is so pitch perfect and realistic, it seems you are there with these people, watching their lives unfold before you as it happens. Call me a sucker for punishment but I find myself drawn to these harrowing tales, and the film is certainly one of those. The film achieves what only the best independent films have: making life, at its most unvarnished, a journey. With locations and characters that feel so authentic, yet mysterious, it creates its own genre: anthropological horror. The film emerges with an aura of authenticity so strong as to be mesmerizing, thanks to a superior script brought to life with infallibly natural performances. Beautifully shot across the vast, bleak landscapes of rural Oregon, Granik's minimalistic tale of strength and determination is a deeply moving experience, propelled by the amazing performances of McKenzie and Foster. The film is a glimpse into the private lives and dirty secrets of people trying to claw their way to a better place. Granik and Rosellini's adaptation is a simple affair, allowing McKenzie's grim determination to keep you hooked. And it works. Beneath the fierce naturalism of the stark chilly/beautiful imagery and tough performances is a rural noir in an unforgiving world and Granik tells the story with great skill.
Simon says Leave No Trace receives:
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