The Woodsman (2004): Hated & Ostracized

                                       
                                                         "When will I be normal?"

Before I start to review this movie I have to say that this is one of the most difficult movies that I have ever reviewed due to its disturbing nature and themes regarding pedophilia and child molestation. This movie and review will make you feel uncomfortable. You have been warned. 

The Woodsman (2004) is a drama film directed by Nicole Kassell and starring Kevin Bacon. This movie is about Walter, a convicted child molester whom after being 12 years in prison, wants to start over.

The Woodsman is dark. The film tackles a heavy, complex and disturbing topic: Pedophilia. I can say that the movie is not violent or gory, but the fact that it shows us a child molester’s view of the world makes it really hard to watch. This is not a movie to have a good time with or watch it because you are bored, so why should anyone watch it? I think that it might help some people to look for signs regarding sexual predators and/or understand how the mind of these people works.

Walter is a tragic character, because he tries to build a life after all those years away with his new-found girlfriend Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick) while he visits his therapist Rosen (Michael Shannon). He also talks sometimes with Carlos (Benjamin Bratt), his brother-in-law, which is the only member of his family who still talks to him and receives frequent visits by Sergeant Lucas (Mos Def), a detective who loathes him. All of these while fighting against his own sexual urges and personal demons. He is a man who did his time, and now tries to look forward in a world that has no place for the likes of him. How can a man like Walter be a functional member of our society? Should we just lock them all up and throw away the key? Walter thinks that he is different from other pedophiles. He believes that he can fight these dark desires and eventually win; he is a sick man, a man who is fighting against himself all day and night and thinks that he can be redeemed, but can he? Does Walter deserve a second chance at life? Can he truly be saved? Does he deserve it?

                                    

The Woodsman has many impressive moments, but the scene that will haunt me at least for a few months is the park bench scene. A truly devastating, stunning and sad moment. I congratulate Hannah Pilkes as the sweet and innocent Robin, a remarkable actress. I congratulate all the people who participated into the making of this film since I believe they are brave people, because this is a topic that is so dark, complex and heavy that I am surprised someone actually made a film like this one. A piece of cinema with great acting, raw emotion, amazing music, beautiful shots and haunting scenes.

“I’m not a monster!” says Walter at some point. Do viewers believe that? Can we just watch this movie without judging? Can we remain neutral knowing that hurting children is a vile and disgusting act, maybe the most horrible act a human being can inflict on one another? Destroying something as pure as a little child is sickening and to think that there are people who enjoy doing those despicable acts makes me feel sad and angry. “There ain’t no fucking woodsman in this world” says Sergeant Lucas to Walter when he talks about a past case. Sometimes there are no saviors for the victims, no caped superhero to rescue the children, no man with an axe to kill the wolf.