Very Honest and Moving

I took a two-hour hike in Forest Park years ago but don’t remember it being so green and beautiful. Looks more like a jungle wilderness than a park in this flick, which starts out with a father and his teenage daughter permanently camping (illegally) there.

I was afraid this movie would make the indefensible argument that the homeless should be allowed to live wherever they want, but it doesn’t. This is a very honest movie, less “Captain Fantastic” and more “Running on Empty” in following consequences of a family living outside the bounds of society and the enormous costs to the child who, though having benefitted from the parent’s values now finds her needs at odds with his. There isn’t one moment that doesn’t ring true, and the performances are absolutely riveting all around, especially by newcomer Thomasin McKenzie playing the child. It all leads to an enormously moving ending that had me in tears.

Running on Empty is one of my top five films of all time. To even mention another film in the same breath says a lot.

I am very grateful there are still honest movies being made about real subjects that matter.