Leave No Trace tactfully tells an equally heartwarming and heartbreaking story of the unconditional love shared between Will (Ben Foster) and his 13-year-old daughter, Tom (Thomasin McKenzie). Will, a combat veteran who suffers from PTSD, and Tom live an isolated and relatively peaceful existence illegally on the grounds of an Oregon state park. They grow their own food and occasionally hike into Portland for supplies. They clearly enjoy each other’s company: they laugh, play chess, read books, and hone their survivalist skills. The only stress they seem to experience comes from their fear of getting caught, so they take extra precautions and even run drills to cover their tracks. They have literally spent their lives leaving no trace behind, and they’ve managed to steer clear of the authorities, until now. Father and daughter reach a crossroads when Tom realizes what their lives could be like once they’ve left the wilderness. They could try to find a compromising existence that gives them both conventional shelter and idyllic isolation within a compassionate community. Foster and McKenzie depict their characters’ conflict with such grace and nuance. The look in their eyes reflects the gut-wrenching pain, sadness, and distress caused by this newfound dilemma. We feel how they ache, and we are on the edge of our seats waiting to see what kind of life they will choose. Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini’s adaptation of Peter Rock’s novel, My Abandonment, plays out like a literary work of art. Leave No Trace is a profound story about love, family, loyalty, understanding, and compassion. Foster and McKenzie deliver raw, tender, captivating and transcending performances. The bond between them isn’t only compelling, it’s inspiring. This film will surely make a star of New Zealand newcomer McKenzie, and it should definitely garner some well-deserved accolades for Foster. Leave No Trace is a critically acclaimed film having received a 100% rating on Rottentomatoes.com. Commenting on the film, Adam Graham of the Detroit News says, “Leave No Trace brings up questions of child endangerment and irresponsible parenting. It covers difficult ground, but to say it leaves no trace would be a lie. It definitely makes its mark.” 1:49. Rated PG for mild physical peril and a sense of outsider anguish.