Parents' Guide to Leave No Trace

Well-acted and well-written, calmly presented, and moving, this drama has a ring of truth, despite its extraordinary story. Perhaps that's because it was, after all, inspired by true events. In a way, Leave No Trace could function as the middle part of a trilogy (in between the excellent Captain Fantastic and Lean on Pete) of contemporary American indies depicting lifestyles outside of mainstream society. All three films show the mighty struggles of those on the outside -- some by choice, some scraping to survive. All three involve the experiences of children. Leave No Trace, which was directed and co-adapted by Debra Granik (of the superb Winter's Bone), isn't as witty as Captain Fantastic or as harrowing as Lean on Pete, but it is soulful and emotional. It's rooted deeply in Will and Tom's genuine respect and love for each other, which makes their choices and resourcefulness all the more admirable.

It's up to the two leads, Foster and relative newcomer McKenzie, to carry the film, and they're more than up to the task. McKenzie in particular is arresting as a loving daughter whose eyes are opened to a world she never dreamed she wanted to know. But the film is ultimately about how far down a difficult road people can go together before one of them needs to diverge. The kindness of strangers and the truthfulness of familial love speak to the deep humanism that informs this drama, even as it moves toward a painful conclusion.