All credit to the producers of this intense drama; with the socially unacceptable topic of a paroled child sex offender, it must have seemed a victory in itself to have the movie made, completed and in movie theatres. But instead of just being happy to get the movie on world cinema screens, The Woodsman's creators have put together an accomplished and well acted story as well.
Kevin Bacon has a powerhouse performance as Walter, a convicted child sex offender, released after twelve years in prison. Although the movie and Bacon's acting never actually goes as far as to put Walter in a sympathetic light - he knows he did wrong and was evil - it does an amazing job of showing us his inner struggles and shows Walter's vulnerability.
Almost all the secondary characters are personas that the viewing audience can readily identify with, from Eve as Mary Kay, the secretary who does a search engine check on the new employee, to Mos Def as the cop who doesn't trust Walter as far as he could throw him, to Walter's workmates ostracising him once his back history is out.
Hannah Pilkes is outstanding as the young girl Walter fixates on, and the critical scene between her and Walter is the most intense of the movie. Perhaps the only character that this reviewer could not relate to was Vicki, played by Bacon's real life partner, Kyra Sedgwick. Vicki sees the good in Walter, and starts an on again off again relationship with him, even after his deepest secrets come out. Although she is the hardest to relate with, Vicki is the character that brings out Walter's humanity the most.
The only minor gripes here are that the ending, although not happy, is much more a glass half full than empty affair, and somehow doesn't ring true after all that has gone before. Also somehow out of kilter is the number of 'Walters' in the movie - you may be left thinking is there an epidemic out there if you believe this movie. Of course, with the subject, one offence is too many - but minor gripes only, put against the bravery of getting this movie actually on screen.
Overall The Woodsman is an intense drama, powerfully acted. It is uncomfortable to watch, in some scenes particularly so, but despite what the general public reaction seems to have been, since when did making good movies mean safe choices? Even bad stories sometimes deserve to be told, as in this case. Not for the faint hearted though.
Kevin Bacon has a powerhouse performance as Walter, a convicted child sex offender, released after twelve years in prison. Although the movie and Bacon's acting never actually goes as far as to put Walter in a sympathetic light - he knows he did wrong and was evil - it does an amazing job of showing us his inner struggles and shows Walter's vulnerability.
Almost all the secondary characters are personas that the viewing audience can readily identify with, from Eve as Mary Kay, the secretary who does a search engine check on the new employee, to Mos Def as the cop who doesn't trust Walter as far as he could throw him, to Walter's workmates ostracising him once his back history is out.
Hannah Pilkes is outstanding as the young girl Walter fixates on, and the critical scene between her and Walter is the most intense of the movie. Perhaps the only character that this reviewer could not relate to was Vicki, played by Bacon's real life partner, Kyra Sedgwick. Vicki sees the good in Walter, and starts an on again off again relationship with him, even after his deepest secrets come out. Although she is the hardest to relate with, Vicki is the character that brings out Walter's humanity the most.
The only minor gripes here are that the ending, although not happy, is much more a glass half full than empty affair, and somehow doesn't ring true after all that has gone before. Also somehow out of kilter is the number of 'Walters' in the movie - you may be left thinking is there an epidemic out there if you believe this movie. Of course, with the subject, one offence is too many - but minor gripes only, put against the bravery of getting this movie actually on screen.
Overall The Woodsman is an intense drama, powerfully acted. It is uncomfortable to watch, in some scenes particularly so, but despite what the general public reaction seems to have been, since when did making good movies mean safe choices? Even bad stories sometimes deserve to be told, as in this case. Not for the faint hearted though.
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