The Woodsman

Kevin Bacon is a fine actor and I admire him taking the risk of playing this role, but I think the film would have been far better if it had contained a more true to life portrait of a pedophile. As I understand it, serial pedophiles cannot be cured, and only through extreme will power, and usually with the help of aversion therapy and medication, can even a few of them manage to control their behavior. Some critics have said this film is sympathetic to pedophiles. I wouldn't say that about it, Kevin Bacon's character, Walter, is not particularly likable or sympathetic, in my opinion. However the film is exceedingly unrealistic by giving the impression that all Walter needs to straighten him out is: (a)the love of a good woman (b)the realization that a little girl is already being abused by her father and (c)turning violently upon another pedophile. In the latter case, I wasn't so sure but what his violence had more to do with the other pedophile being interested in little boys rather than little girls, then it did with actually realizing the destructive nature of pedophilia on its victims. I had hoped we might learn more about what leads to this behavior in the first place, but that information was not supplied. 5 stars out of 10.

Trailer—The Woodsman

The Woodsman

A very interesting movie, and great performance, specially from Kevin Bacon. I was looking for seeing it in Oscars. But, the deep and human stories, cannot touch the Hollywood's system. Perhaps, they prefer to avoid truths, it hearts or it gives away... Anyway, this movie can be appreciated by spectators and they can admire an actor complete and mature, perhaps one of the rare actors in USA's cinema of today. I liked the scenes, the discreetness of the scenarist, the zoom in Kevin Bacon face, as the feelings and the inner battle of the hero, were obvious, perhaps more eloquent than words. Nicole Cassel and all the cast did really a great job. Congratulations!

Walter (Kevin Bacon) is the new man at work. Bob (David Alan Grier) often hires ex-cons and Mary-Kay (Eve) is suspicious. Viki (Kyra Sedgwick) quickly sleeps with the new guy. His only friend is Carlos (Benjamin Bratt). He finally tells Viki that he was in prison for molesting a couple of young girls. After the initial shock, she restarts their relationship revealing her own story of molestation by her 3 brothers. Police officer Lucas (Mos Def) is abusive to the ex-con while his therapist (Michael Shannon) tries to work out his issues. He suspects the man hanging out at a neighboring park is a child molester. The performances are terrific especially Kevin Bacon who keeps his character tightly wound. Walter following those little girls is super creepy. The camera angles of the girls are awkward. There are a lot of cringe-worthy moments in the movie but that's the point. It's suppose to be creepy but it's definitely not for everyone.

I know this is a controversial subject and will most likely not earn Kevin Bacon - or at least the movie makers - any good points with a lot of people, but I urge people to keep an open mind. Walter - Kevin Bacon - is released after 12 years in prison for child molestation. He is trying to get back on track when he meets Vickie - Kyra Sedgwick - who makes him feel a bit better about himself. The movie portrays Walter's struggle with his past, his crime and his new life. The characters and the crime are not romanticized. The movie can even a bit abrasive as it drills down to the truth and shows you the things just as they are. I think it takes guts to portray a controversial subject like this one and I certainly think it takes guts to play a role like Walter's. Excellent performances by Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Mos Def.

I saw this movie at the Vancouver Film Festival. Not only was it one of the best movies I saw at the fest, but one of the best of the year. I truly believed it to be Bacon's career performance. The script is solid, full of great dialogue and thick symbolism. The characters all fully developed and never one-sided. Each has their dark side. A commendable effort to Emmy winner, Mos Def, who makes us hate him when he's a good cop, and love him when he's a bad one. The reason the rating is so low is because it's hard to accept a character that is a child molester. Probably because everyone knows someone or is someone who has been sexually abused. This is a film about redemption and forgiveness--something we can all definitely agree with. It is also a story about humanity--something we all have in common.

An intelligent and thought-provoking film that never flinches from it's subject matter, and includes a superb performance from it's leading man. Kassell's film manages to steer clear of didacticism and lays the misunderstandings and prejudices about, and ignorance of, paedophilia open for the audience to interpret in their own way. The protagonist is neither a sympathetic hero or a villain, but during the course of the film he wavers between the two leaving the audience both supportive and sickened. This amalgam of conflicting emotions makes 'The Woodsman' essential viewing for a rational, adult audience. I only wonder how an audience would react to a paedophile played by an unknown actor without Bacon's profile, as I suspect many people would find it harder to accept without his charisma or celebrity attached to the film.