The Woodsman (2004) User Reviews

Ignore the low rating

[omouallem · 8/10 · 6 October 2004]

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.

Intelligent and thought-provoking.

[sibisi73 · 8/10 · 2 November 2004]

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.

Even a child sex abuse survivor can recommend this film...

[GreenGableViews · 8/10 · 20 January 2022]

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, you can imagine my trepidation and skepticism going into it. I found the film immensely powerful. It asks questions we don't want asked. It doesn't give us the answer - other than making it very clear that he has done disgusting vile things, and that he will likely fight that the rest of his life. As for the rest, it tells us to think. And I don't think we can change the rates of child sexual abuse unless we THINK about the hard stuff, as this films urges us.

Firstly, Bacon's performance was brilliant. He's not a monster, though he has done monstrous things; at times even I, with my history, felt sympathetic towards him. Here's the thing - hardly any child sexual abuser is a "monster." They are humans, not bogeyman. They are your neighbors, your relatives, your coworkers, your friends - very few of them are sociopaths or psychopaths. Many genuinely feel shame over their actions or try to change. They are just as capable of loyal familial love as anyone else, just as capable as being compassionate friends, and yes - capable of being someone else's lover, and able to treat that person well. This film reminds us of that.

Hardly any film has examined the concept of "forgiveness" like The Woodsman does. And it gives us all the freedom in the world to make up own minds, which is actually quite hard for filmmakers to do. There is no right or wrong answer. Only victims get to decide if abusers are forgiven for their crimes. One cannot accept an apology for a crime that did not affect them personally. But societal forgiveness, by way of allowing them back into society, allowing them to live freely, the chance to prove they won't do it again - we all play our own role in that, regardless of how we each feel and act.

The sad truth is that historically child abusers struggle to really change. What made them capable of such a heinous act is still inside them. As exemplified by the park bench scene.

I have a family member who was a pedophile and molested dozens of girls (not me, I was abused by others). He could never change. He was the sort of man that every person should know is a pedophile, every parent should know his tricks and charms and methods and crimes. Maybe some abusers can change. I am of the opinion that we not give them the benefit of the doubt. It's simply not safe to ever let them be around children, and every single person in their neighborhood should know who they are and what they've done. Safety of innocent children MUST come before the comfort and convenience of a sexual predator.

Might we also consider they could change? Might we also consider that they deserve love, as long as it doesn't endanger children? Some of them are haunted by their crimes - such as Bacon's character. But their hauntings mean nothing when compared to the soul-death they inflicted on the most innocent and most helpless humans. Could we say that a lifetime sentence of never being truly "left alone" to live their life is just and right, as their victims will also never get to leave their past behind and will always be scarred because of it? Might this righteously balance the scales?

The Woodsman, if you let it, will challenge you to ask these questions and more. I was on high alert for any positive viewpoint of this charavter from the filmmakers. And other people might feel differently, but as a child sex abuse survivor I say that the movie is asking us to consider the most disgusting and vile parts of society, to see what we can learn - about ourselves, and others - and that this is highly important.

Child sexual abuse can't be changed if we never talk about it, openly. Brutally, honestly address it. This film is a step in the right direction. It is a powerful movie and I recommend it to anyone. Survivors might find it triggering, so they should be wary. But it's a great film and is a very important topic that is well-addressed.

Kevin Bacon is towering in a tough-sell film.....

[lrpulini · 22 November 2004]

The journeyman actor Kevin Bacon blows most of the current Oscar Best Actor competition out of the water with his searing portrayal of a paroled pedophile in The Woodsman. The difficult subject matter may spell box-office suicide for this film, particularly at Christmas time. However, if Newmarket Films is smart, they will market this the same way Monster was promoted for Charlize Theron's performance.

Bacon employs a minimalist acting style and submerges himself into this complex character, on the strength of his physicality alone. Thin and gaunt, hair darkened, eyes dead, and jaw severely set, Bacon doesn't waste a facial muscle or telegraph anything more than necessary. He allows us to get into the character's head piece by piece, and it's not always a pleasant place to be. Bacon is uncompromising in his refusal to make anything about the character trivial and sentimental, and that is the key to his success in making Walter such a vivid, believable man.

The screenplay seems to almost be stripped bare, with little actually revealed through dialogue. However, monologues are used to great effect.

Bacon's mesmerizing performance is enhanced by astute direction from first-timer Nicole Kassell, who also adapted the screenplay with the original playwright, Steven Fechter. The cast is superb-Benjamin Bratt, Kyra Sedgwick, David Alan Grier, the beautiful Eve, and best of all, Mos Def, who steals virtually every scene he is in against Bacon, no small task. for those celebrity-watchers, Madonna's baby's daddy, Carlos Leon (father of Lourdes) is in a few scenes.

This is a must-see for Bacon's work, and for the tasteful, intelligent way the subject matter is handled. In short, Tough material, good solid film.

I like the noise

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 27 December 2004]

Greetings again from the darkness. Although I am a self-proclaimed Kevin Bacon hater, let me stand up and shout that this is not only his best ever performance (by far) but also a performance that will stand up against most any dramatic turn by any actor. For the first time, Bacon is understated rather than overacting and hamming. The film and Bacon capture the emotional torment of a recently released from prison child molester as he struggles to fit in and "be normal". Bacon's remarkable acting is extremely well supported by (his real life wife) Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt and a most surprising Eve. Bacon's eyes are truly haunting and we feel his pain as he struggles to find a bit of joy amidst his demons. Two weak script features were the rapidness of Sedgwick's character's acceptance of Bacon and the over the top scene in the park with young Robin. Otherwise, the realism was gritty and believable. Not one I want to see again, but the creepiness and edginess make it worth seeing.

Disturbing, unsettling, but brilliant and spellbinding

[anhedonia · 9/10 · 30 October 2004]

The last film that unsettled me much like "The Woodsman" did was Todd Solondz's superb and exceedingly black comedy, "Happiness" (1998), which dealt with similar themes. But unlike Solondz, who never seems to like any of his characters, screenwriters Nicole Kassell and Steven Fechter appear to genuinely care about the people they create.

Their story's really very simple: Walter (Kevin Bacon) gets out of prison after serving a dozen years for molesting young girls. He takes a job at a Philadelphia-area lumber mill and tries to get his life back together again, while dealing with his inner demons.

What's likely to disturb many about "The Woodsman" is that Kassell and Fechter raise the intriguing question of whether someone who's done something despicable is not only capable of putting his life back together again after serving his time, but also whether society ought to allow him to do so. And to make our job even tougher, Kassell and Fechter don't turn Walter into a monster.

"The Woodsman" is aided immensely by a strong, compelling performance by Bacon. It's easily his best work, a role that requires him to underplay his character. Director Kassell isn't shy about letting the camera linger on Bacon's face and Bacon credibly brings to life Walter's suffering. It's a sensationally good performance. Bacon gives him depth and feeling and we suddenly find ourselves caring about this reprehensible man.

There are some superb supporting performances, including Mos Def as a cop, David Alan Grier as Walter's boss and Benjamin Bratt proving he really can act if he's given a good role. The most interesting supporting character is Vickie, a coworker willing to give Walter a second chance at life. Kyra Sedgwick, a gifted, yet under-rated, actress, is utterly convincing as Vickie, a woman almost as damaged as Walter is.

The Walter-Vickie relationship works because there's terrific chemistry between Bacon and Sedgwick. True, they're husband and wife, but real-life couples can fail miserably on screen. Kidman and Cruise in "Far and Away" (1992), anyone?

Bacon and Sedgwick's scenes are tender, passionate and real. Though, there's one intimate moment between Walter and Vickie that's clearly inspired by the famous Donald Sutherland-Julie Christie love scene in Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now" (1973).

What makes "The Woodsman" such gripping viewing is that the film doesn't shy away from letting us into Walter's struggle. There's a particularly uncomfortable scene on a park bench as Walter comes to terms with his true nature.

"The Woodsman" is a film that deserves to be seen. It's a pity that less-than-mediocre movies, such as "Connie and Carla" and "Twisted," get widely released, while a gem like "The Woodsman" gets to very few theaters. Seek out this film. It's not an easy film to watch, but the performances are all good, the story's riveting and it's definitely one of the best, most thought-provoking films of the year.

super creepy

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 29 June 2015]

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.

It takes guts

[Tvandiejie · 9/10 · 1 January 2005]

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.

Mysterious Skin does it better...

[senditon85 · 7/10 · 25 June 2016]

Granted, Mysterious Skin looks at the issue of pedophilia and child abuse from the perspective of the victims, while this film looks at the struggle of the offender, however...

This film really lacked the depth that MS goes into in exploring the devastating ramifications of child abuse, and generally in the realness of its characterizations. It felt very Hollywood in imposing a redemption plot - kind of rendering the taboo topic kind of generic and usual.

While the film does not in any way apologize for the past deeds of its protagonist, In applying a kind of 'hero's journey' structure, it - by implication - turns the protagonist into a quasi-hero. This is particularly evident in the climactic scene where Walter beats up the other offender, Candy. I just didn't believe this would be something Walter's character would do, and it felt like a contrived attempt to redeem Walter's character and make him more palatable to mainstream audiences.

I enjoyed the performances in this film and it was really nice and unexpected watching Kevin Bacon embarking on this kind of challenging role.

However, for me it's a 7 at best.

Superb exploration of shame and the struggle to be normal

[mgleez · 9/10 · 12 December 2004]

This is a somewhat slow (never boring) film with several performances of the highest quality. Kyra Sedgwick has amazing scenes, and one in particular flipped around my perception of every other character's motivation. David Alan Grier's performance is, maybe for the first time, not over the top. Hannah Pilkes, in her first film, nearly steals the scene from Kevin Bacon. Eve and Benjamin Bratt both do a good job. Mos Def's lines are either beyond his range or the lines themselves are just too heavy-handed, but Kevin plays off of them in brilliant silence.

Kevin Bacon's performance is Oscar-worthy. In other films, weak effects, poor acting, awful dialog, etc., have pulled me out of the world that the film was attempting to create. Kevin's performance is so good that at one time I found myself pulled out of the experience in awe; while continuing to believe the truth of the character, I was at the same time floored by Kevin's ability to deliver such depth.

Sure, the subject matter allows actors to express strong feeling. Anger is an easy route, as is self-loathing. This script has some of that, but what makes this film great is that primarily it chooses to explore shame and the struggle to be normal. The actors (Bacon, Kira, Pilkes) that are given the opportunity to explore that, they really excel in this film.

Bacon is nothing short of riveting in gripping film

[rosscinema · 7/10 · 24 January 2005]

This film is very careful not to try under any circumstances to make viewers feel sympathy for the character depicted in it's brutally honest look at a pedophile who does understand that his compulsions are wrong and every minute is spent trying to control them. Walter (Kevin Bacon) is out on parole and gets an apartment at the only place that will take his money but it happens to be across the street from an elementary school playground. He gets a job at a lumberyard because he was kind to the manager's father and while he tries to mind his own business he meets co-worker Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick) and starts to date her.

*****SPOILER ALERT***** Vickie knows that he has a past but doesn't know what it entails but eventually after some prodding Walter tells her that he molested young girls. At first she's horrified and leaves but one day she comes back and she mentions her tough past with her brothers. From his window Walter watches the children and he even notices another pedophile hanging around but he never mentions it to anyone. He gets frequent visits from Sgt. Lucas (Mos Def) who is hostile towards him and keeps telling him that all child molesters end up back in prison. Walter still has a hard time controlling his urges and sometimes finds himself following young girls and one day he strikes up a conversation with Robin (Hannah Pilkes) who subtly mentions something that is happening at home.

This film is directed by Nicole Kassell who makes her debut here and if she continues to tackle subjects as tough as this she'll be one of the most respected filmmakers in no time. The script is based on the play from Steven Fechter and even though changes are inevitable with a transition to the screen it does keep the title characters internal struggle as the focal point. Kassell knew that she had to portray Walter in a totally honest and subjective light otherwise her film would have come under such scrutiny that would ruin any chance of audiences accepting it. The film benefits greatly with the unflinching performance of Bacon who as he gets older is showing audiences that he is an actor willing to take on any role and the best work of his career may yet be seen. Bacon shows us this character in a manner that makes sure viewers will not be sympathetic towards him and instead wants us to see that this person is aware of his demons and that his daily routine consists of attempting to control himself. It's a tough (and I guess brave to some) performance by Bacon and I do think he should be congratulated for what he accomplishes in this role. The only part of the story that seems unclear is why Vickie chooses to remain with him after finding out about his crime. She mentions something about being molested by her brothers while growing up but (excuse my ignorance) it doesn't explain why she decides to remain. This film takes a hard look at a pedophile and the script succeeds at being nothing short of absorbing thanks to the gritty performance of Bacon.

Sympathy For The Devil: Bacon's best performance to date

[george.schmidt · 10/10 · 27 December 2004]

THE WOODSMAN (2004) ***1/2 Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, David Alan Grier, Eve, Benjamin Bratt, Mos Def, Hannah Pilkes.

Sympathy For The Devil: Bacon's best performance to date

Kevin Bacon has always been one of my favorite actors and constantly proves to be such a truly exceptional one at that. In his latest as a recently paroled convicted pedophile he gives the performance of his career that should entitle him to his first Academy Award nomination (long overdue).

Walter (Bacon) is an ex-con attempting to begin a normal life after being incarcerated for molesting several young girls. What seems to be a large task at hand only proves to be increasingly difficult for a variety of reasons including the fact his apartment is just out of reach of the mandated length he cannot be within the distance of a school which rests – tauntingly like a diabetic a candy factory – directly across the street where he now lives. This is a test he rationalizes and reports this discovery and others to his appointed therapy sessions with a psychiatrist which only makes Walter increasingly uncomfortable as the good doctor suggests he keep a journal and reflect on what he has done (or worse what he may do).

Getting a job as a factory worker in his run-down Philly suburb Walter keeps to himself especially from the slyly sexy Mary-Kay (rapper Eve) who has other plans for the newcomer and instead is befriended by the tomboyish yet open-minded Vickie (Bacon's real-life wife Sedgwick also giving a career high performance with just the right amount of fronting toughness and vulnerable empathy when she beds and eventually discovers Walter's burning secrets.

All of the proceedings lead to a keg of explosive ramifications as Walter tries desperately to walk the straight and narrow but it isn't helping matters as the deck is stacked against him in the form of police Sgt. Lucas (rap star Mos Def in the Walter Matthau role) dogging Walter as a likely suspect in rash of recent child molestings. Sooner or later Walter is going to return to his old form. Or so it seems.

Bacon is truly amazing in his implosive turn as a man so at odds with being in his own skin it threatens to suffocate him in his vein gestures at becoming 'normal' and his body language suggests a crumbling man of sand about to blow away in the winds of society. His pained, grimace of accepting his sickness only curdles his well intended desire to shirk his monstrous past but will not embrace the touchy-feely psycho-babble that he must endure to delve into his childhood as perhaps the key to his perversities.

Smartly directed by newcomer Nicole Kassel – who co-scripted the usually on-target screenplay with Steven Fechter (they bungle it when Walter's play-by-play inner monologue of a perceived local molester makes a mark outside his window is a tad uneasy) – wisely allows her character just enough rope to hang himself before reeling himself back to square one. There is a nice interplay of just the right amount of nervous tension between Bacon's Walter and a little girl named Robin (perfectly played by Pilkes) he espies one day and follows into a local park .

Bacon is a journeyman character actor trapped in a leading man's body but has what so few of his contemporaries do : moxy, talent and the chops to tackle a taboo subject without being exploitative. That is the true skill of a marksman and that is truly what Bacon is.

Unpleasant material...but as an actors' showcase, quite strong

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 17 December 2010]

Child molester, out of jail on supervised parole, slowly integrates himself back into society with a job at the lumber mill, but old haunts still tug at his soul. Director Nicole Kassell also co-adapted the script with Steven Fechter, based upon Fechter's play, giving movie star Kevin Bacon an intense, meaty dramatic role in which to display his talents. The actor does not disappoint, nor does real-life spouse Kyra Sedgwick as a streetwise co-worker who takes a liking to him warts and all. The story is deliberately unsettling, though Kassell handles the scenario nimbly, aided by tight editing. The director also utilizes her solid cast in the best possible way, by allowing their abilities to carry precarious scenes which might otherwise be heavy-handed or hard to watch. Only in the final act does the movie slip into a preachy or unconvincing pattern. Bacon, who served as executive producer, does brave and admirable work, perhaps his best to date. **1/2 from ****

An unbelievable film about a pedophile

[MagicStarfire · 5/10 · 13 March 2006]

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.

incredible movie about a delicate theme

[killpop · 21 January 2004]

saw the tuesday morning showing at Sundance and let me tell you, this is by far the best thing Mr. Bacon has ever done, and should garner him some acting awards this year, though since the subject of the movie deals with a tabboo subject, it might not get picked up by a major studio, and with limited release could keep him out oscar contention. I don't care though, he and his wife pull out incredible performances and if acting awards are giving to great actors, he deserves one for this movie.

I'm not going to go into the plot, basically it's based on a play that I never saw, (obviously living in the Midwest, we rarely get plays). and deals with a convicted pedofile trying to re-adjust to live after 12 years in prison, as well as confronting the demons that put him in jail in the first place. Kyra plays a woman who befriends him, and even after she finds out what his crime was, falls in love with him and assists him with his struggles. of note is a very special performance by a young Hannah Pilkes who plays a young bird watcher who temps Bacon's character and shows him that abuse is everywhere.

More than a Monster

[JamesHitchcock · 6/10 · 1 February 2017]

When it was first released in 2004 "The Woodsman" was a highly controversial film because it offers a relatively sympathetic portrayal of a convicted child molester. When I say that the portrayal was "sympathetic" I do not mean that the film attempts to excuse or justify paedophilia. I mean that the main character, despite his crimes, is not depicted as a "monster" but as a human being with feelings and emotions of his own and, moreover, as a human being who is capable of redemption.

That main character, Walter, returns home to Philadelphia after serving 12 years in prison for sexual offences against young girls. He gets a job at a local timber mill (hence the film's title). The film explores how Walter attempts to rebuild his life with the aid of his co-worker and girlfriend Vicki, who opts to remain with him even after she learns about his offences, and his brother-in-law Carlos, the only member of his family who stood by him after his conviction. The authorities do not seem to be a lot of help to him; his probation officer, for example, does not seem concerned that he lives in a flat overlooking a primary school and he is constantly pestered by a police officer named Lucas who quite clearly hopes to catch Walter reoffending.

Special praise is due to Kevin Bacon for his sensitive and well-judged performance in the leading role; he makes us realise that Walter is human, and yet we are never allowed to forget the seriousness of what he has done, even if Walter himself would at times prefer to forget it. There are also excellent performances from Kyra Sedgwick as Vicki and from Hannah Pilkes as Robin, a young girl whom Walter meets in the local park.

Because of its subject-matter the film had only a very limited cinematic release in both America and Britain. It was a brave move on the part of the film-makers to tackle a subject as controversial as this, but I think that their courage paid off. "The Woodsman" is not a great film; the plot is not always easy to follow and the dialogue is at times difficult to hear. It does, however, make an important contribution to the debate around the moral question of how society should deal with those who suffer from a compulsion to commit acts which others find abhorrent. 6/10

This is an intense, "tough to watch"film

[morrowmmm · 9/10 · 15 February 2005]

I held my breath throughout this film wondering if he would repeat his mistakes. It was obvious that this was a molester of young girls who hated himself and you could see him fighting the whole way through. Possibly many people who gave this film a low rating said to themselves that a portrayal of a paedophile deserved no sympathy and the producers should not have made it. But the film addressed two salient facts. Firstly there are far more paedophiles around than caught and this type of thing happens frequently in a domestic situation. Far more frequently than anyone is willing to admit. Secondly paedophiles come in many forms and some are as Walter is. He hates it but cannot help it without a huge amount of inner strength. At the end you do not know if he will do it again, it seems likely, but he hates himself and the urges he gets even more than others around him do. It was an intense film, very hard to watch but it points out some ugly truths which most people will not want to admit happens. yet there are a thousand stories of this happening with no one bought to justice. First class acting by all but no one will thank them for it (as we see from the ratings).

Brave, but I felt not without faults

[richard-810 · 7/10 · 28 December 2007]

How to start with a movie with this subject matter? Believe it or not, I had the DVD of this movie for over a year before watching it. I avoided it, not I think because I knew that I would find it disturbing but because I feared I would find it bleak and depressing. And this indeed was how I felt after watching it. It is obviously not a movie for a laugh on a Saturday night. It is well made, the acting is superb and I really admire Bacon for doing it. You can imagine the reaction of most Hollywood actors if asked to play the lead in a film with this subject matter. So a brave film for all concerned to be involved with. So what left me with reservations? I felt that the relationship between the central character and the (very attractive) lady that he meets at his gloomy workplace was implausible. My understanding is that paedophiles tend not to have successful relationships with other adults, even though many are married. The beating of the 'bad' predatory paedophile by the 'good' paedophile was unnecessary, even though I appreciate that the latter was partially exorcising his own demons. But the main aspect that gave me concern was that although you see the main character struggling to control his desires, the only victim (as far as we know) was a family member, rather than some innocent kid wandering the streets. The intention then is to suggest that this criminal is, on a scale of 1 to 10 not too bad really, a decent guy who strayed into the twilight zone when younger. Is this of great significance? It would have been an even braver film to feature a 'typical' paedophile who stalks and preys upon children without remorse. But then I guess the film would have been so horrible that it would be unwatchable. And so a brave and courageous film and one that I'm pleased that I finally got the courage together to watch. Did I learn anything from it? I'm not too sure and this I think is the main problem that I had with it.

Kevin Bacon shines

[Antagonisten · 10/10 · 1 December 2004]

I saw The Woodsman at the 2004 Stockholm International Film Festival. It was quite a popular film at the festival, especially with all the Oscars-buzz surrounding Kevin Bacon due to this film.

The Woodsman is about a pedophile who gets released from prison and tries to fit into society. He works at a sawmill, meets a woman and tries to stay out of trouble. But feelings he tries to push away emerge again, and the question is if he can stay out of trouble for long.

Kevin Bacon is terrific in The Woodsman, but The Woodsman is not a terrific film. Rather it's a quite mediocre film that has it's points but also walks into some of the traps that always surround dramas that deal with a difficult subject.

Let's start out with Kevin Bacon. He is as good as i have ever seen him. He has been one of my favorites for a long time, and i hope that this film can finally give him a shot at the Oscars. He really lifts this film a couple of notches as well. So, what about the film itself?

Well, it has it's ups and downs. The up is that it deals with a difficult subject in a rather good way. Instead of just boiling everything down into just black and white (as is often the case in Hollywood films) this film tries to understand. While most of us feel that pedophiles are disgusting people and that the crimes they commit are horrible, they are still human and as complex as you or me. It doesn't excuse them in any way, but perhaps in understanding them we can better prevent these crimes. Just categorizing them as plain monsters doesn't help us stop any of this from happening.

The downside in this film is mostly the exaggerations added to make a greater impact. Sometimes you get the feeling that there is a pedophile waiting behind every tree, and it just becomes a bit too much. Also the love story between Kevin Bacon and (his real-life wife) Kyra Sedgwick feels a bit shallow.

All in all this is an interesting film well worth the effort of watching it. I guess many people will shy away from the subject matter, which is sad really since this film in no way tries to justify child molestation. So watch it, more for Kevin Bacon than for the story. I rate this 6/10.

Riveting performance in a bleak film

[majic-5 · 7/10 · 20 January 2008]

As readers of my reviews know, I am violently repelled by stories of pedophilia. I rejected the movie Happiness simply because it tried to present a pedophile as a normal family man with special issues. But I am attracted by stories of people struggling to redeem themselves. The Woodsman starts from this stance, with someone who regrets the terrible things he's done and is simply trying to carve out a tiny niche for himself to exist, unnoticed, while he figures out if it's even possible to redeem himself.

It is Bacon's performance as Walter that makes this movie work. This is an interior film, without much action to propel it. The action that's there serves mostly to heighten interest in Walter's daily struggles with his demons and the fear that he might revert to his old behaviors. Bacon is pitch-perfect as a man who simultaneously needs to numb himself to certain of his feelings while allowing himself to feel shame and enough interest in others to get by. Bacon's entire being conveys Walter's inner torture, his face by turns blank and unfeeling, then in turmoil. As he alternately proclaims "I'm not a monster!" and asks "When will I be normal?" throughout the film, his entire body resonates with those conflicts.

When a romance opens Walter up a little, his pedophelic urges also wriggle out from his tight control. I found myself simultaneously rooting for him and distancing myself from him as his black urges got a stronger grip on him. The relief I felt at his epiphany in dealing with these feelings (with the assistance of a terrific performance from a young girl) made me realize I'd been barely breathing for about five minutes, so gripping were the performances. This is not to say that Walter's decision transforms him into a completely decent human being. In fact, the following scenes clearly show that Walter may never be completely likable. But they do indicate that he can elevate himself above the level of the piece of s**t his parole officer thinks he is.

Helping the film are fine supporting performances. Carlos (Benjamin Bratt), was believable a Walter's brother-in-law who was willing to help re-integrate Walter into the family because of the earlier loyalty Walter showed him. His forceful warning to Walter about not messing with Carlos' own daughter added a second dimension to Carlos, hinting at the effort it took for him to repay that loyalty. And as unlikely as it was for Walter to enter a relationship, even with a hard-as-nails woman like Vicki (Kyra Sedgewick, Bacon's real-life wife), I can attest from observation and experience that damaged people seek out damaged people to have relationships with. Their affection, while genuine, is unsentimental, as befits the bleak tone of the film. And Hanna Pilke, who plays Walter's potential prey, gives a brief but knockout performance.

Clearly, The Woodsman is not a film for everyone. It is bleak, unsentimental, and only mildly uplifting. But as compensation, you get a stellar performance of a man trying to turn around his life with the odds against him.

Impressive movie

[lilian-s · 10/10 · 31 January 2005]

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!

Gutsy with some flaws

[Billygoat · 7/10 · 13 October 2005]

The most striking thing about this 2004 film is the subject matter. Kevin Bacon plays a pedophile convict out on parole. Not a likely protagonist for an American film. In fact, the subject matter is so controversial that the film demands to be critiqued on two levels: the film's cinematic qualities (plot, character development, acting, photography, etc.); and the subject itself.

As a film, this is a fairly decent piece of work - especially as a first feature film for director Nicole Kassell. This is probably Kevin Bacon's finest work. Playing the lead role of Walter, he certainly projects the appearance of broken goods. He looks like what one would imagine a pedophile to look like, if there is such an archetype. Thin, weathered but still something boyish in his face. He exudes inner conflict; a person struggling with his demons.

Some of the other characters are well cast: Eve is quite believable as the nosy secretary. Kyra Sedgwick is excellent as the woman who befriends Walter - herself a woman who is also clearly 'damaged goods'.

Others are not so well cast: Mos Def as a rumpled police detective who's seen it all is really stretching my credulity. He's just too young for that role.

The film is well directed, shot and edited. There's never a dull moment - it's watchable from start to finish.

But here we get to the second level of assessment: the subject matter. There's no doubt that the thing that grabs our attention the most is the fact that the film is about such a taboo subject: pedophilia. It's the grotesque nature of the subject that we just can't take our eyes off of...much like watching a tarantula crawl around in an aquarium. There's no doubt that it took some balls for the film makers to do this - particularly Kevin Bacon, who's the biggest name attached to this project. In fact he not only stars in it, he helped to finance it.

But that doesn't necessarily make it a good thing. While this film doesn't hold back in showing Walter continue to struggle with his urges, it does finish with the notion that he will succeed in being rehabilitated. My only problem with this is that as far as I understand, pedophilia is incurable. I'd hate to see this film create the false impression that with a bit of understanding and lots of support, most pedophiles won't re-offend. That would certainly be a false notion to spread. Of course, such interpretations depend mostly on the viewer. It's just that your average mindless TV watcher may well think that that's the message.

It must be said that on it's face, this is an interesting film. It does have some moments that are particularly disturbing, especially for those viewers who are parents of small children. Overall, a gutsy if somewhat flawed film that won't be viewed by most people. And that may be a good thing.

A Movie Worth Discussing

[msolboogiez · 9/10 · 15 January 2005]

The fascinating aspect of this film is how it manages to put viewers into an awkward position: empathizing with the molester. Kevin Bacon's reserved handling of the character Walter is deft and powerful. At times, he is almost unrecognizable as Kevin Bacon.

The discussions that I heard after this movie were conversations I was glad to hear. Bacon's character in the film had a unusual sexual awakening early in life. Having no healthy means to try to understand his fetish, he got stuck in that moment of time forever. It turned into a sexual perversion and ending up being something that banished him from normal society. It makes for a brilliant psychological conflict on film.

On a side note, the musical scoring to this film is notably wonderful. Perhaps that has something to do with Damon Dash being one of the producers.

Interesting though slow and predictable

[alanhowden-86367 · 6/10 · 16 September 2021]

I thought this was good but not great. The acting was superb all round but most of the film is slow and predictable and nothing of note happens until close to the end (where things get a little unrealistic and the story is tied up with a pretty bow as much as can be given the subject matter). I get that the movie is noteworthy because of the ground it covers (and it is much more interesting because if it) but that doesn't give it a complete pass for having a boring story.

Bacon is good, movie hard to watch

[alatlantic · 2/10 · 9 September 2023]

I have to rate this movie lowly just because of the subject matter. I don't believe a movie of this type should even have been made.

Despite trying, this movie made me feel zero sympathy for a child molester. Worse, it's not like it was a one time thing with an excuse, he continues trying the entire time to do it again. Ugh, I don't know what kind of person could even relate to this.

The one silver lining to an otherwise hard to watch movie is Kevin Bacon's acting. He's been at it for years, in some good movies, in some terrible ones, but this is probably his most serious acting role, and he absolutely nailed it.