Leave No Trace (2018)

Father and daughter Will & Tom live rough in one of Portland's forested parks. Their arrangements are simple and they keep themselves undetectable to park visitors. When necessary, they venture into the city to pick up provisions and to visit the VA as Will suffers from PTSD. Despite their efforts, they're discovered and temporarily detained before being offered housing on a local tree farm in exchange for labor. But Will cannot take it for long and is soon ready to push off into the wild again.

This story was so affecting. Though I'm not an outdoorsy type at all, I am empathetic to the longing to be free of bureaucracy and other people's ideas of how one must live. I also really loved the fact that those they encountered were not bullies or judgmental -- they truly wanted to help and did so with kindness. But decency isn't the same as freedom. And just because you are related to & love someone doesn't mean you long for the same life.

I was sobbing by the end and so grateful to have experienced this gem.

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