DVD | The Woodsman

It’s hard to review a movie like The Woodsman. It’s difficult to find the right words to use. Somehow saying that it was a fantastic, brilliant movie, doesn’t seem right when you find out what the subject matter is.

But it is a fantastic movie. It’s compelling but disturbing viewing. You’re not sure which side you want to take, because all your pre-conceived judgements have had to been thrown out the window.

There are many characters in this movie for people to relate to, but it’s Kevin Bacon’s character, Walter, that we should be rooting for. Even though we would never in real life.

You see Walter has just spent 12 years in prison for a crime he did commit: Molesting little girls.

So why, you may be asking, would anyone want to see a movie about a child abuser? For one it’s got Kevin Bacon in it. Lets face it, Kevin takes these unique roles and nails them. And it’s a movie not so much about abuse, but hope.

So OK, there might be some spoilers coming now.

In the movie Walter finds love and acceptance in the form of a hard-edged formally abused female workmate. They both fins acceptance in each other and are able to share past hurts. But Walter also finds prejudice through the cop (played by the ever capable Mos Def) and some of his other work mates.

He also finds redemption, through two sources. One is by stopping another serial child abuser who he witnesses through his apartment window. Walter recognisees the guys actions because of how he used to act. But left with no way to alert anyone, Walter struggles with what to do until one day he snaps and beats the guy up. The scene and concept works better in the movie. Of course this isn’t the best way to go about dealing with criminals, but what else could Walter do? Tell the police? A convicted child molester goes to the police to convince them he knows something? No.

His second act of redemption comes in the form of a would be victim. Struggling with his inner demons and trying to become normal is a sure to fail task with out the support of everyone around you. Walter has the support of only a few people and the ever-present judgement of everyone else. It’s a battle that the demons are bound to win. Except for one thing. His would be victim has a surprise for him. When Walter sits down in a deserted park with this little girl he ahs chosen, through talking to her he accidentally discovers that her daddy is already abusing her in the same way that Walter used to abuse little girls. Walter had always believed that what he did never hurt anyone, but now with the tears and pain on this little girls face, he realises who he was, and he gets the strength he needs to let the girl go.

It’s not a happy-joy-joy ending. Walter may be on the road to recovery, but the film leaves us with no doubt that it’s going to be a rocky road.

But a review can’t do this movie justice. The movie has many layers, and should be viewed far more widely than it will. The Mall scene in particular will change the way you see today’s fashion trends, and what it’s doing to our children.

But be warned, it’s not an easy movie to watch, it’s not popcorn entertainment in anyway. It’s disturbing and has a lot of sexual/nude scenes. But in the end, is a powerful, worthwhile movie.