A Review by Phil Calabro
2004, Newmarket Films, Dir. Nicole Kassell - Starring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt, David Alan Grier, Eve, Kevin Rice, Michael Shannon, Hannah Pilkes, Carlos Leon, Gina Philips, Van Cameron, Paul Majors, Bobby Prochaska
When I first read a year ago that 'The Woodsman' would deal with a topic such as pedophilia, I grew nervous. I've never been one for watching movies that deal with taboo subjects, because they either fall flat with too many stereotypes, or pull it off successfully - it's a hit-or-miss matter. With a first-time director helming the picture, NYU grad Nicole Kassell, it made me even more nervous for the outcome. But it's a great pleasure to say that Kassell goes farther than pulling it off, she overachieved. 'Woodsman' is carefully scripted and sculpted, giving the truest portrayal of a pedophile I've ever seen - no more cheap TV drama criminals, but a character who's looking to break clean of all the thoughts and desires. The average viewer is bound to get uncomfortable through several scenes of intense creepiness, but that's a sign of effective acting from star Kevin Bacon, who plays Walter. In a whole, the film gives a thoughtful look at how a troubled man like Walter views society after recognizing how he may have altered it.
Walter (Bacon) has been released from prison on supervised parole after 12 years for conviction of molesting young girls between the ages of 9 and 12. He attempts to start anew, moving into a little apartment - across from an elementary school. Walt gets a job at a wood-cutting facility, but certain employees such as Mary Kay (Eve) has got suspicions about his character. His only connection with his family is his brother-in-law Carlos (Bratt), but he still wants to meet his younger sister Annette. The only person that finds Walt to be interesting is a thirty-something woman who works with him, Vickie (Sedgwick). Together, they hit it off very well, and become close lovers - sharing their deepest secrets with each other. But on the sidelines, Sgt. Lucas (Def) keeps visiting Walter to let him know that they're still watching what he's doing.
Kevin Bacon is fascinating as Walter - he's always on a subconcious edge, to show his obvious reentrance into society. He can't trust anyone with his secrets at first, but he slowly gets to know Vickie, who he bonds with in a primarily sexual fashion. Bacon has the rugged and twisted features of a stalker, especially through his solemn facial expressions. He plays the part very fashionably, not trying to win over points through aesthetic features of Walter, but as an ordinary person. Kyra Sedgwick does just fine in the part of Vickie, who proposes a great contrast to Walter. Whereas Walt has always been a man of seclusion and introversion, Vickie provides for him a way to break free of all his problems and enjoy life as he wants it to be. I've never been a fan of Mos Def (The Italian Job isn't exactly what I'd call...good), but he is great in the role of the menacing Sgt. Lucas. He's a fierce police officer who has the cruelest ways of making Walter break down - he comes briskly through Walter's apartment, gives him his weekly visit and chat, and these are some of the most uneasy moments of the movie. Mos Def has great sense of pinpointing each of Bacon's fears and faults.
For those who have not yet seen 'The Woodsman', I give you heed that there are no 'light' moments to this movie. It's overall a depressing film to watch, for obvious reasons. Kassell doesn't use the dark topic of pedophilia as shock value, but as provoking subject matter, and an in-depth look into a troubled man's psyche. It's filled to the brim of metaphors, a whole lot of them, but they each have their own significance like puzzle pieces. In the end, we realize the path that Walter has taken thanks to the clues given to us throughout the movie. The question asked is not, "Is pedophilia wrong in society?' but moreover, 'What must we do to overcome our pleasures, if in case our pleasures are not fit for others?' Kassell sticks to making a compelling case against our basic human desires, but reaches into deeper territories with a darker theme. It never feels too forced to make us cringe, letting the cast work their skills upon us.
'Woodsman' provides a cautious look into the little wants in life and the effects it has on our life and others. Kevin Bacon does an impressive job at the role of Walter and works just as well with Kyra Sedgwick as Vickie. I certainly hope director Kassell is given even better jobs in the future, because for a first-time gig, everything's looking up for her.
