Renew Radar: LEAVE NO TRACE
Renew Radar is a recurring feature that highlights some of the titles you may see on our screen in the coming months. We may not get to all of the featured films, but these are the movies on our radar.
Premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival was Debra Granik’s latest film LEAVE NO TRACE. The film stars Ben Foster, who you may recognize from the incredible film Hell or High Water (2016), and newcomer Thomasin McKenzie as a father and daughter who live off-the-grid in the forests of Oregon. Once they are discovered by the authorities, they struggle to assimilate into society. Think of it as a more realistic version of Captain Fantastic (2016).
This is a quiet film that, at its heart, is part coming-of-age tale and part father-daughter drama. Ben Foster proves again that he is an immensely talented actor, but the film focuses on Thomasin McKenzie (whose character’s name is also Tom) who gives an undeniable, nuanced performance as a young woman dealing with an extraordinarily unique set of circumstances.
Audiences may remember director Debra Granik’s 2010 release Winter’s Bone which featured a star-making performance from the then relatively unknown actress Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence has since gone on to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world but she has always been remembered for her indie beginnings. Granik seems to have a knack for casting actors in their breakout roles. Will this be a catalyst for Thomasin McKenzie’s rocket to stardom? We think so.
Watch the trailer below and keep your eyes peeled for LEAVE NO TRACE at our theaters.
