Review of The Woodsman (2004) by David B — 03 Jun 2007

Kevin 'Consistent' Bacon provides a solid performance in a film that deals with a very sensitive subject matter.

Walter is back in his home town after serving 12 years in prison for molesting young girls. The film mostly deals with his struggle to contain his desires, his own fears at offending again, a fledgling relationship with a femal co-worker and the fear and stigma that he was to face when his co-workers discover the truth about him.

Mos Def again proves himself to be a real talent as he plays a Parole Sargeant who vists Walter on 3 occasions. His hatred for sex offenders is massively apparent. He not only makes Walter feel like complete shit, but almost wills him to offend again so that he can be put back behind bars. My respect for Mos Def grows stronger with every film I see him in.

Cleverly, the film puts the audience in the shoes of Walter. As Walter descends into his depravity again, it's like we, the audience, are too. As we are sickened, so to is Walter, there's nothing we can do about it and there's nothing he can do about it, but it just happens and everyone feels terrible that it does.