Leave No Trace is a realistic look into the life of a veteran with PTSD, and how he manages his life providing for his teenage daughter. The film is rated PG for thematic material throughout.
Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) are living on public land, survivalist style, and have to keep their location secret from the Portland, Oregon authorities. Tom is an intelligent girl, and essentially home schooled. Her mother is not in the picture.
Their camp is discovered and social services becomes involved. The home they are given to live in is not like the forest where Will feels most comfortable. He attempts to adjust, and Tom is learning to socialize with other teens and doing well in school, but the inevitable happens and Will just needs to move on.
They take off together into the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, and it becomes very hard for them. Cold and little shelter are threatening their very lives. Will injures himself, and fortunately Tom is able to find someone to help them. A voluntary community of like minded folks living in trailers in the woods are understanding of the father and daughter and their needs.
Will they find a way to live in the world in the way that society expects? Can Will overcome his PTSD in order to provide for Tom as she gets older and her needs change? I found this film compelling and fascinating, and recommend it highly.
Did you see Leave No Trace? What did you think of it?
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