"Leave No Trace"

Well, its officially the holiday season. That time where we get on that roller coaster of parties, lots of food and spending time with family. It's still a few weeks off from carving the bird, but never too soon for a movie about families. This one in particular caught my eye not too long ago that shows a lot of family devotion and what you're willing to do to stay together.

Out in the wilderness of a state park in Portland, Oregon Will (Ben Foster) and his teenage daughter Tom (Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie) live cut off from the rest of the world relying on their survival skills and each other. Their idealistic existence comes to an abrupt end when Tom is accidentally spotted resulting in the authorities finding their camp and bringing them back to modern civilization. While Tom is unsure at first, she comes to like the idea of living in a home and connecting with people while Will seems to have the exact opposite reaction stemming from his own personal demons. It isn't long before Will insist they go back to their old way of life with just the two of them and a isolated existence. As Tom comes to realize her father will never change his ways, she will have to make a choice whether to lead her own life or to follow her father's way leaving no trace.

An emotional cinematic piece as deep as the woods of the Northwest. Foster and McKenzie's portrayal as father and daughter has one of the most intensely loyal relationships of a parent and child that can only be described as both heartwarming and gripping. It will break your heart and leave you in tears as you watch these two journey to the crossroads that will determine their fate and how the ties of love that bind them will be tested. There's no doubt that this film has earned all five G.M.Stars, but I warn that you shouldn't watch without a tissue box nearby.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Leave No Trace" is available at Redbox and where movies are sold/streamed.