Great psychological study
Added 9/18/2009
Released in 2005, "The Woodsman" tells the story of Walter (Kevin Bacon) who's trying to make a life for himself in Philadelphia after spending 12 years in prison due to his abnormal predilection for 10-12 year-old girls. When news gets out of why he was in prison it causes problems with his girlfriend Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick) and at his new job. Walter desperately seeks healing from his condition even while he occasionally flirts with his sick desires. On top of this is Walter's parole officer who doesn't believe he can be trusted in conventional society. Meanwhile Walter spots a pedophile preying on children at the local elementary school. What should he do? And is there any hope for him to escape his condition?
There are two things potential viewers should know up front: Walter is aware of his problem and desires freedom from it; in other words, he's repentant -- he wants to turn from his negative/destructive desires and channel his sexual energy positively and responsibly. Secondly, it becomes clear that Walter is not guilty of raping any girls but rather molesting them by getting his jollies with them on his lap (fully clothed). Yes, it's still bad, but not as bad as raping or killing. These are important points that help the viewer have compassion on Walter and root for his success in the story (because if he was unrepentant and guilty of actually raping or killing girls then please fry his butt and get it over with -- or, at least, lock him up and throw away the key).
As noted in the title blurb, the film is a dramatic psychological study. It spotlights the classic struggle of flesh & spirit or id & ego. It's dialogue-driven and plot-driven rather than action-driven or cgi-driven. In other words, this is a thinking-person's film. Needless to say, uber-fans of conventional blockbusters should stay away.
In a way, Walter's struggle is universal and most of us can relate to it on one level or another. For example. We may not have a predilection for tweenage girls but we might struggle with other negative tendencies, like alcoholism, drugs, adultery, fits of rage, porn addiction, gluttony, sloth, depression, lying, etc. The film subtly makes it clear that without love & belief there's little hope of spiritual metamorphosis.
(MINOR SPOILER: The next two paragraphs explore one of the main insights of the story and comments on one important scene)
One of the main points of the film is distinguishing a repentant pedophile from a non-repentant one. Walter has come to a place where he understands that his pedophile desires are of his flesh (i.e. id or destructive carnal nature) and should not be embraced, fed and acted upon (although, again, he flirts with the idea on a couple occasions). Walter KNOWS that to take advantage of young girls and have sexual relations with them is wrong, and is trying to walk free of such desires. This is contrasted by the predatory pedophile who hangs out by the school preying on kids. This guy obviously embraces, feeds and acts on his pedophile desires. There's a big difference between these two. The attitude of the heart makes all the difference. Walter deserves a second chance because he's repentant and trying to change for the positive, even while he should be monitered closely; the other guy, on the other hand, has totally given himself over to his perverted desires and deserves the snot beat out of him (at the very least).
One critic argues that it's not realistic that a 45 year-old guy sits on a bench in the park and a cute 11 year-old girl sits herself next to him and asks, "How's the view?" But, wait a second, Walter had previously met the girl so she was already familiar with him; he didn't hurt her before, why would he hurt her now? Besides, the girl comes from a dysfunctional home where she suffers molestation from her dad; hence, it's not likely that she has the best understanding and discretion concerning social situations, not to mention her inner need and compulsion for masculine love and attention (since she's not getting it from her father). In addition, Walter was obviously drawn to and comfortable around little girls, which helped make the girl feel safe around him.
(END SPOILER)
Another criticism is that the film is melancholy and plays out in a flat manner. This is true but don't you think a bit o' melancholy fits the subject matter? As for the story being flat, the filmmakers (Nichole Kassell and Steven Fechter) were obviously shooting for realism. Isn't real life kind of flat? Personally I prefer realism over the goofiness, overkill action/cgi and generally unbelievable tone of many modern pictures.
The film was shot on location in Philadelphia and runs a short-but-sweet 87 minutes.
Interesting tidbit: Kevin Bacon and co-star Kyra Sedgwick have been married since 1988 and have 2 children.
FINAL ANALYSIS: As long as you can handle the subject matter and a couple of cringe-inducing spots, "The Woodsman" is outstanding if you're in the mood for a serious drama or psychological study.
P.S. Be sure to catch the delelted scene of Walter and Robin's discussion at the bench. The fuller version should never have been deleted; you'll see why when you compare the sequences.
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Great Character Movie
Added 7/2/2009
I wasn't certain how I would feel about this movie or even if I COULD feel anything about it other than hatred. It's about a child molester; how could that be a good thing?
But, I have to say that it was absolutely terrific.
I think most pedophiles are NOT sorry. They don't care about or empathize with their victims at all. Many are actual or borderline sociopaths. But, Kevin Bacon portrays the minority. A pedophile who actually wants to change.
During one scene where he is talking to a little girl in the woods, I actually found myself holding my breath and then breathing out "Don't do it. Don't do it."
Yes, this movie had me talking out loud to the main character.
I guess my only real fault with the film was Bacon's new 'girlfriend'. As much as I felt for the character, there is no way in real life that I would knowingly consort with a pedophile.
Overall:
An excellent film with an astounding performance by Bacon.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Controversial Topic
Added 2/5/2009
The main character played extremely well by Kevin Bacon is a tormented predator trying to move on with his life after getting out of jail after twelve years for child molestation. He finds it difficult as that kind of crime is the most unforgivable with society, more unforgivable than murder or probably most any kind of crime. I wonder if the point of the film is that this guy gets out of jail and finds that it's impossible to move on and change and redeem himself and become a new person because most everyone around him won't let that be, except for a couple, one played by Kyra Sedgewick and the other Benjamin Bratt. And I wonder if even jail is the answer, because these types of predators are right back on the street doing it again because society ostracizes them leaving them no choice in their eyes. There needs to be another way of helping an individual such as that. I don't know what kind of psychological things are going on underneath or what propels child molesters but I imagine some separate kind of jail that focuses on changing the individual since they're going to release them anyway, at least release them changed, might be more productive than jail, but what do I know. Good movie on this type of uncomfortable subject that brings out the human of this kind of monster, however difficult.
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provocative
Added 6/24/2008
Child molesters are at the lowest rung of the prison hierarchy and when they get out, they are at the lowest rung of the general population. Kevin Bacon's character (Walter) is a man who served time in prison for this. The story focuses on his life outside... his inner turmoil and the problems others have with him and how he deals with it. He seldom gets a reprieve in the whole film. There's not a moment in the film where he doesn't have a somber and serious look on his face with one exception. Regardless of how much we hate child molesters, this film makes us understand their struggles more and actually root for the man to turn his life around. Though sadly, it's something that he always has to deal with. Child molestors are often products of some type of childhood trauma themselves, so their unusual drives and inclinations are "hard wired" into their brains. The film makes it clear that they have a long hard road ahead of them. Dealing with their inner conflict and at the same time having to deal with people who abhor them.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Good Drama and Hard subject Matter
Added 4/23/2008
Good film and once again showing Kevins extremely versitle talents. The film is harsh and subject matter intense so it is an adult film and one that delves into many dynamics within family.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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good movie
Added 11/2/2009
I bought this movie not thinking that it would be that great..Well when I saw it I was very happy that I bought this movie...Its a story that can be so true and so sad but there are some mothers like the person in the move...I would say if you are looking for a movie that is a little twisted that is base on real life then this is a movie to see.
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Garbage Masquerading As Art
Added 6/10/2008
Is there anything
amusing, lighthearted or redeeming
about extreme psychological illness,
sexual depravity, child abuse, suicide
and attempted murder?
This movie would have you think so.
There is no reason to view this film
and numerous reasons not to.
Do not be seduced by its pedigree.
It's technical merit is wasted.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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"Has a mother ever loved her son more?"
Added 7/31/2007
I rented this movie on a whim because I remembered the trailer being pretty interesting. Let me just say that I was not disappointed. Kyra Sedgwick was brilliant as Emily, and I was really able to identify with her. As a mother of a two-year-old boy, I found the first three-fourths of this movie to be oddly inspiring. Possibly due to my young age of 21, I've never wanted to be the typical soccer-mom so I found Emily's eclectic style of parenting to be rather appealing. For example, the splatter-painting Paul's room, camping out in the backyard, the 'roam abouts', etc. One of my absolute favorite scenes is where Emily plays an invisible flute in the rain as Paul conducts (if anyone knows the name of the song, please let me know). On the other hand, Emily's obsession went off the deep end towards the end of the movie and you can actually see her just going over the edge as Paul pushes for more independence. All of that being said, I think that it's much easier for a mother to sympathize with Emily rather than condemn her in the end. This has definitely become my favorite movie just because it is so different, and so sadly beautiful. I also picked up the book a few weeks ago, and it was wonderful as well.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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