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Documentary

Far from the Tree (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Far from the Tree (2018) movie poster

Far from the Tree is a 2018 documentary directed by Rachel Dretzin, starring Andrew Solomon, Jason Kingsley and Amy Allnutt. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $166,018 worldwide. Critics gave it 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.

IMDb rating
7.7/10
worldwide gross
$166K
Echo Score
80
Metascore
70
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Far from the Tree (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Rachel Dretzin
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Far from the Tree About?

The premise of Far from the Tree without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A curious raccoon's adventurous nature leads it into risky situations, prompting its parent to grapple with the challenges of providing protection while allowing independence. This heartwarming documentary follows the dynamic between a parent and offspring, exploring themes of freedom, security, and the inevitable letting go that occurs in the natural world. It’s a poignant look at the delicate balance of raising young animals in the wild.

Far from the Tree Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • family relationships
  • child
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father son relationship
  • father daughter relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • shakespearean quote
  • reference to william shakespeare
  • mentally challenged boy
  • prologue
  • electric wheelchair
+38 more
  • man with a physical disability
  • wheelchair
  • man wears eyeglasses
  • scene during opening credits
  • home movie
  • photograph
  • boy
  • reference to emily dickinson
  • gay character
  • gay son
  • author
  • microphone
  • computer
  • autism
  • character's name shown on screen
  • art museum
  • reference to pablo picasso
  • reference to harry belafonte
  • laughter
  • blowing a kiss
  • down syndrome
  • chromosome
  • baby
  • year 1975
  • fear
  • year 1978
  • university of new rochelle
  • early childhood education
  • teacher
  • spanish
  • baseball
  • mentally challenged man
  • happiness
  • sadness
  • bus
  • roommate
  • reference to the three musketeers
  • food
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Cast & crew

Far from the Tree Cast

Andrew Solomon leads the cast, with Jason Kingsley and Amy Allnutt. Directed by Rachel Dretzin; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Far from the Tree

· 1 more
From the director

More from Rachel Dretzin

One more film directed by Rachel Dretzin: The Persuaders.

Full filmography
Ratings

Far from the Tree Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Far from the Tree 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

Far from the Tree Echo Score Breakdown

Far from the Tree excels in its empathetic portrayal of diverse families, though it occasionally feels overambitious. Across reviews, observers commended its humane perspective and engaging pace, noting that the film offers deep emotional resonance and a thought-provoking examination of family structures. Critics highlighted the documentary’s capacity to provide visibility and inspiration, even as some pointed to moments of narrative diffusion. Ultimately, the film’s net impression is one of compelling human stories that resonate broadly despite sporadic overreach.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    The film’s direction and editing establish a clear, brisk rhythm that supports its observational style. In terms of cinematography, the visuals are unobtrusive yet purposeful, allowing subjects to inhabit the frame naturally. While production design remains minimal, the overall craft underscores the documentary’s authentic tone. The net effect is a controlled but expressive presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Character and emotional depth are the film’s strongest attributes. When it comes to character depth, the documentary allows each family member to convey nuanced perspectives on identity and belonging. Emotional resonance emerges through candid moments of vulnerability, and interpersonal chemistry feels authentic. The net impression is an impactful portrayal of diverse lived experiences.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The documentary’s narrative flow is generally engaging but uneven at times. Plot coherence benefits from a brisk pace that holds interest, yet its broad scope occasionally leads to diffuse focus. Originality shines through its exploration of varied family dynamics, but the attempt to cover numerous themes can dilute engagement. Overall, the storyline remains compelling though overambitious in reach.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    The sensory experience is defined by an understated aesthetic and a thoughtful soundtrack. In terms of visual style, the film uses a restrained palette that feels true to documentary form. The score, composed by Nico Muhly and Yo La Tengo, provides nuanced backing without overshadowing interviews. Together with clear sound design, the film offers a cohesive auditory and visual atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    The film offers reasonable replay value through its rich thematic layers. Regarding rewatch factor, viewers may discover new insights into familial relationships on subsequent viewings. Its reflective pacing and diverse narrative threads support lasting appeal, though the diffuse structure might lessen motivation for repeated watches. Ultimately, the documentary sustains interest but may not demand frequent revisits.

Plot

Far from the Tree Plot Summary

What happens in Far from the Tree from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a sunny beach, a young raccoon embarks on an adventurous quest with her father, who sports a prominent scar across his left eye. As they step out from the safety of the woods in pursuit of food, the raccoon swiftly becomes distracted and wanders away from her father’s watchful gaze. Despite her father’s urgent pleas for her to stay close, he becomes preoccupied with digging for oysters. In her exploration, the inquisitive raccoon discovers a seashell, enchanted by the soothing sounds of the ocean waves resonating within it. However, her father soon catches wind of this diversion and in a fit of frustration, he shatters her newfound treasure.

Full summary

The whole story of Far from the Tree, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Far from the Tree Box Office

Far from the Tree grossed $166,018 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$166K

US & Canada
$166K
Videos

Far from the Tree Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Far from the Tree.

Far from the Tree - Official Trailer I HD I Sundance Selects
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Far from the Tree?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What animal accompanies the young raccoon on her journey?

Details

Far from the Tree Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Далеко от яблони” and “Longe da Árvore”.

Also known as
  • Далеко от яблони
  • Longe da Árvore
  • 부모와 다른 아이들

Seen Far from the Tree?

FAQ

Far from the Tree FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Far from the Tree, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Far from the Tree?

Far from the Tree runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Far from the Tree released?

Far from the Tree was released on July 20, 2018.

Who directed Far from the Tree?

Far from the Tree was directed by Rachel Dretzin.

More films by Rachel Dretzin

Who is in the cast of Far from the Tree?

Far from the Tree stars Andrew Solomon, Jason Kingsley and Amy Allnutt, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Far from the Tree make at the box office?

Far from the Tree grossed $166,018 worldwide.

How is Far from the Tree rated?

Far from the Tree has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 70 on Metacritic, 74% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Far from the Tree have a post-credit scene?

No. Far from the Tree has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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