The Woodsman (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
After 12 years in prison, child molester Walter (Kevin Bacon) is released on strict probation in 'The Woodsman', a drama directed by Nicole Kassell. He starts a new life in a familiar city, gets a small apartment near a school (how convenient), & acquires a job in a nearby lumberyard. Tormented by the fact that he has these sexual desires (not only the desires, themselves) he tries to act normal, but he's haunted by his checkered past. This is Bacon's finest performance; it just doesn't come in the best film. A film about pedophilia/child molestation should never have boring moments.
Walter hates going to his shrink. All it does is stir his bad pedophiliac memories. Meanwhile, a fellow coworker, Mary-Kay (Eve) finds out Walter's horrible secret. Will she spread the news? He's started over, but will she blow his cover & ruin his life again? While all that's going on, he's begun a romance with another colleague, Vicky (real-life wife, Kyra Sedgwick). If she finds out his secret, will she still stay with him? Perhaps she has her own demons to share. And always present is a suspicious Det. Lucas (Mos Def). He knows Walters' past. Will he make his present a nightmare, as well?
Living across the street from an elementary school, Walter is constantly tempted. He makes friends with a young girl in the park (though he knows he shouldn't). There are temptations everywhere. He wishes he can focus on Vicky; but he can't. He's trying so, so hard. But he can't. Walter also witnesses a possible child molestation in the workings & wants nothing but to put a stop to it for good. His intentions are respectable, but the mind is a tricky thing to control. What I like about 'The Woodsman' is how thoughtful & engrossing it is. We intently watch the screen; it's voyeuristic, really. Something about Bacon's face, his steely eyes, his quivering mouth, just lends so much to this film.
Kevin Bacon's performance is so taught, so quiet, so guarded, that we feel like we're sitting right there next to him, peeking into his most inner-most thoughts, however awful they may be. If you're confused by my B-/2.5 star out of 4 rating, it's because Bacon's performance is SO strong that it makes the film itself appear very ordinary (while it's subject matter is anything but). Some plot contrivances also made me roll my eyes & break any spell I was under. Bacon, not 'The Woodsman' allows us to feel both sympathetic and hateful towards Walter. The film isn't very bold; it's very intimate, too intimate. The script is merely average, too average for a heavy psychological film such as this. Bacon is so airtight that it doesn't allow the film to breathe. Still. To see Bacon at his very best, watch 'The Woodsman'.
Walter hates going to his shrink. All it does is stir his bad pedophiliac memories. Meanwhile, a fellow coworker, Mary-Kay (Eve) finds out Walter's horrible secret. Will she spread the news? He's started over, but will she blow his cover & ruin his life again? While all that's going on, he's begun a romance with another colleague, Vicky (real-life wife, Kyra Sedgwick). If she finds out his secret, will she still stay with him? Perhaps she has her own demons to share. And always present is a suspicious Det. Lucas (Mos Def). He knows Walters' past. Will he make his present a nightmare, as well?
Living across the street from an elementary school, Walter is constantly tempted. He makes friends with a young girl in the park (though he knows he shouldn't). There are temptations everywhere. He wishes he can focus on Vicky; but he can't. He's trying so, so hard. But he can't. Walter also witnesses a possible child molestation in the workings & wants nothing but to put a stop to it for good. His intentions are respectable, but the mind is a tricky thing to control. What I like about 'The Woodsman' is how thoughtful & engrossing it is. We intently watch the screen; it's voyeuristic, really. Something about Bacon's face, his steely eyes, his quivering mouth, just lends so much to this film.
Kevin Bacon's performance is so taught, so quiet, so guarded, that we feel like we're sitting right there next to him, peeking into his most inner-most thoughts, however awful they may be. If you're confused by my B-/2.5 star out of 4 rating, it's because Bacon's performance is SO strong that it makes the film itself appear very ordinary (while it's subject matter is anything but). Some plot contrivances also made me roll my eyes & break any spell I was under. Bacon, not 'The Woodsman' allows us to feel both sympathetic and hateful towards Walter. The film isn't very bold; it's very intimate, too intimate. The script is merely average, too average for a heavy psychological film such as this. Bacon is so airtight that it doesn't allow the film to breathe. Still. To see Bacon at his very best, watch 'The Woodsman'.