Review of Leave No Trace (2018) by Benwomack — 23 Aug 2020

This, 23rd August 2020ce.

"In 2004, police found a Vietnam War veteran and his 12-year-old daughter living in a shelter in Forest Park (Portland, Oregon). The man had no job and only a $400-a-month disability check for money, The Associated Press reported.

They had been there for four years, with the father educating his daughter with old encyclopaedias. A paediatrician examined the girl and found no evidence of physical or sexual abuse. A police sergeant got the man a job on a horse farm.".

Basis of a novel, My Abandonment.

Description: A man and his daughter live in the woods. They must still do runs into the local town to pick up food. On one of these they are caught. They are separated, and assessed. The movie shows how they manage- over a period of about a year? For example, you are shown, the people they come into contact with, and their reaction to it- a frown, a freezing of expression. There's a comment, on modern day Christianity- rather underwhelming pastor, and the wasteful habit, of selling trees to celebrate Christmas.

Reaction: I am stopping watching it at 1 and a half hours.

I feel happy with that, end on a type of high- Thomasina just bonded with a mother figure.

Music: didn't notice.

Tech: pass. Tough filming outside.

Script: generally ok, but ... Ken Loach often sort of throws in the odd joke, get you on his side. This was desperately earnest and serious, but. It didn't really rise above being a news story, for me. Slightly felt, what is the point , of bringing this up in conversation.

Acting: ok.

Costume: very fine caggy!

Tempo: quite slow.

Thank you.