Film Review: The Woodsman
The Woodsman (2004) confronts the disturbing subject matter of pedophilia with a conviction that makes it both hard to digest, and also strangely watchable.
Released after twelve years of imprisonment for offences that the film only ever hints at–offences somewhat skewed out of all proportion by the chinese whispers that follow–Walter (played by a dedicated Kevin Bacon) comes face to face with the old life and neighbourhood he used to call his own; with a new job and a new chance at living his life decently, Walter—and those around him—struggles against his inner demons, while trying hard to re-associate himself with the world he so long ago left behind.
Like all good films which dare to tackle delicate subjects which some may find deeply inappropriate for film, The Woodsman asks a number of compelling and uncomfortable questions about sympathy, empathy, and the temptation of the human sole. Should we believe that Walter really wants to get better? Or is that too much to ask of? As the film progresses the viewer is made to wrestle with these questions almost as much as Walter himself, eventually forced to find his or her own conclusion when the film steers away from the easy route of pointing the finger at Walter for things that may or may not be his fault.
Personally speaking I still find it hard to make my mind up about Walter and people of his ilke; on the one side I found him to be a fairly decent kind of a guy, but on the other I couldn’t shake the frightening prospect that lurking in the background was some demonic force willing itself to break free.
But I feel that films such as The Woodman play an important role in society; Kevin Bacon should be commended for having the guts to take on such a role, doing a good enough job of acting that we really do wonder.
I just found this great business who agreed to give us a discount on the CD packaging for the new band. Tell me what ya’ll think!