Indie Gems: Leave No Trace

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Into the wild.

Will (Ben Foster) is a war veteran who is living off the grid in a national park with his young daughter, Tom. (Thomasin McKenzie) When they're found by social services and placed into a home, Will struggles with being a part of society whereas Tom gets a taste of something she's missing.

I hate that I missed this in theaters. My city was one of the lucky 361 theaters this was released in, and they got rid of it after about a week and a half. It was easily worth my money.

You all know how much I love Ben Foster. He's an incredible actor and it's no surprise that he's amazing here too. We don't learn much about Will and what happened to him in the past, but his face says it all. It's not pretty, he needs help, but doesn't want it. Even if it's effecting his daughter. It's McKenzie that carries this movie. Tom loves her father but she's so curious about everything around her. Like Foster, she gives a very quiet performance. (And I never would've guessed she was a native of New Zealand, her American accent is flawless)

Like the performances, this is a quiet film in general but it's tonally perfect. A film like this doesn't need a lot of dialogue. Our character's actions say it all. Because of that, the film does feel a little longer than it really is, but it's never boring and always beautiful.

Grade: B+

Watched on: Netflix DVD

Memorable quote: "What's wrong with you isn't what's wrong with me." - Tom (Thomasin McKenzie)

Comments

  1. thevoid99October 27, 2018 at 3:45 PM

    I really want to see this as I've heard incredible things about this film. Plus, Ben Foster is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  2. s.October 28, 2018 at 5:44 AM

    I have to finally watch this. Looks like the opposite of Captain Fantastic in that it will depress me instead of delighting me :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 29, 2018 at 6:51 PM

      Probably lol. It's only similar to Captain Fantastic in outline, the tone and the rest of the story are completely different. They're both great films.

      Delete
  3. keith71_98October 29, 2018 at 10:30 AM

    I absolutely adore this movie. Recently watched it again and it really, really gets to me. Foster is amazing but I also loved young McKenzie. Such a beautifully understated performance. She is one of many young breakout performers from this past year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 29, 2018 at 6:51 PM

      I agree! Easily the best young performance I've seen this year. She and Amandla in The Hate U Give are my MVPs.

      Delete
  4. Sonia CercaOctober 29, 2018 at 3:24 PM

    I love Ben Foster too so of course I want to see this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 29, 2018 at 6:50 PM

      I do too! Foster is amazing. I wish Best Actor wasn't so crowded this year because he deserves a nomination.

      Delete
  5. GetterNovember 4, 2018 at 6:27 AM

    Seeing this during a film festival in December. Excited for it.

    ReplyDelete

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