The Woodsman

Walter (Kevin Bacon), has just been released from prison after serving a 12 year sentence for molesting young girls. He sets about rebuilding his life and finds an apartment and gets a job at a lumber yard. Under the terms of his supervised parole he must see a therapist each week and the police keep a close eye on him. Walter gets involved with a co-worker, Vicky (Kyra Sedgwick), and as the relationship develops he confides in her and tells her what he had done. He doesn't want to re-offend but discovers that the temptation to do so is strong...   

The Woodsman looks at the disturbing issue of paedophilia. In the story, Walter struggles to rebuild his life and also struggles with trying not to re-offend. There is also the reaction of his family who don't want anything to do with him and the hostility of his co-workers when they find out that he is a convicted sex offender. The opinion of the detective that calls to Walter's apartment from time-to-time is that he is just waiting for him to re-offend so that he can be imprisoned again. The film walks an invisible tightrope and is careful not to be too sympathetic to Walter but on the other hand not to judge him. Instead the story is told in a kind of factual manner.

Kevin Bacon gives a remarkable performance as Walter and there are many dimensions and emotions to the character. He is determined to be 'normal', and is remorseful but he is also creepy and dangerous. The film gets its name from the woodsman who saves the little girl from the wolf in the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale and in some ways Walter struggles between the woodsman and the wolf.

While Kyra Sedgwick gives a good performance as Vicky, the woman who becomes involved with Walter, the relationship is not credible. Their relationship develops too quickly and Vicky is inexplicably trusting and understanding of a man who has committed monstrous crimes.

In the end the film pulls back from providing any answers or views on the issue but simply tells the story of this particular fictitious case.

Bottom Line: The Woodsman is a drama that looks at a disturbing issue and will make you think but it doesn't offer any judgements or answers. You might also be interested in watching Monster's Ball,  Monster, and Mystic River.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  KEVIN BACON: Hollow Man,  Mystic River,  Trapped.  BENJAMIN BRATT: Miss Congeniality,  Catwoman.  MOS DEF: The Italian Job

Genre: Drama

Director: Nicole Kassell

Certificate: The Woodsman is rated 16 by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie). The film contains strong violence and language, and moderate sex/nudity.

Official Movie Website: The Woodsman

~ Main Cast ~

Kevin Bacon

Kyra Sedgwick

Benjamin Bratt

Mos Def

Eve

Hannah Pilkes