The Woodsman [DVD]

Well done movie. I would normally stay away from films like this one because life is hard enough as it is, if I want to cry my eyes out I can watch the news. But this film was worth watching. It approached a hard topic seriously, soberly. No one wants to talk or think about childhood sexual abuse, no normal person anyway, but it’s happening all around us. Predators, those wanting to change like the character in the movie, those desperately looking for the next victim, those trying to convince themselves that there are no victims, they are a reality, and no predator has a sign on his forehead saying “beware”- so, the longer those who can protect children bury their heads in the ground because the topic is too upsetting to our sensibilities, the more vulnerable our children become, as if they were not already. I guess some reviewers interpreted this film as trying to excuse the main character’s behavior, that was not my conclusion. I saw a man battling himself, hating himself, realizing, against his will almost, that all the b.s. he’d told himself in the past (“I never hurt them”) is that: a load of B.S. The film did an excellent job of showing how common this is, while we try really hard not too look it’s happening under our noses, it’s a person outside a school casually talking to children, three brothers looking at their sister, a father asking his daughter to sit on his lap ... I’d advocate for fewer sensibilities and more awareness and I think that’s what this film tried to do.

however difficult this is to watch, I think it has value as an initiator of thought and conversation. We don't know much about sexual predators, how their sexual preference is determined, how such can be "managed," etc. And our culture suffers because of it. We can't change what we don't understand.I have new respect for Kevin Bacon, whom I've always considered a lightweight. He is absolutely believable in this very, very challenging role.

I absolutely could not finish this movie due to the subject matter. Why a movie like this has to be made is beyond me. Aren't we supposed to be watching movies to be entertained. Well, if thats the case we are lost as humans because there is nothing entertaining about watching a movie that is portrayed in a manner to make you feel sorry for a child predator. Kevin Bacon shines brightly as Walter a new released con who was doing time for child molestation. We watch Walter as he struggles with his demons while at the same time pursuing a young girl. I quit watching at less than 30 minutes remaining as it appears Walter is losing the battle as he sits in the park with the little girl. I couldn't bare to watch anymore. Some will watch this movie and give some deep philosophical garbage how this film shows that these predators have feeling too. I agree they do but like all dangerous animals they need to stay locked up so the rest of society, especially our young, can live our lives. There is no sympathy from me.

I read what others have to say about a movie in the hopes of not wasting money. I wanted to complete my filmography of Kevin's work but the subject matter set me aback cuz there is an scene in killer Joe from another actors movie that I wish I had never seen cuz I liked him up to that scene. But this movie is more about a man who doesn't want to be a child molester. And now that he's out of prison & being around little girls again... It's haunting him. Until he meets a girl & as he's talking to her... And not in an innocent way either... I'm praying I don't see him do something to her... But his character figures it out that she's being molested by her father & he tells the child to go home. I wish the movie showed the girl going home & turning her father in. It's simply a story about a man struggling with his demons and trying to live a normal life

I can only assume that the positive reviews are from people who don't have kids, or who "identify" with this monstrous character. I tried to give this film a chance, the acting is compelling, however there comes a point where it is absolutely sickening. This is not entertainment.

This is a movie meant to show the mindset of a child molester who has just been released from prison. He is trying to avoid doing it again but is falling back into the mindset again. He's got a cop watching him closely who is just waiting for him to recommit a crime again and a tough new girlfriend who is sympathetic because she cares about him and feels he can be healed.This movie very clearly sets it up as if he is the victim. When he gets beat up by people at work when they find out what his crime was, we are meant to feel sorry for him.The acting was very good from all the cast. But he plainly did molest his sister and possibly others for some time till he was caught. If he stopped doing it completely, I again might have felt some sympathy. But sure enough, after being released from prison, he begins watching school kids outside his window and follows a girl who is all alone to a park and wants her to sit on his lap. Which for him was the beginning of his ramping up to sexual advances. So its very difficult to feel any sympathy for a man who clearly would fall back into the same patterns without his girlfriend and the cop watching him. There are a few twists of plot in this movie, but frankly, I just can't bring myself to feel sorry for this guy and so didn't see any redeemable characters in this movie. And at times, the dismal nature of the life he leads to keep from thinking about kids, just makes for a slow dismal movie.So while this movie was well acted and scripted, the subject matter and slow pace stops it from getting my recommendation.

I like that I got to know the characters a bit before he revealed his crime. I dislike that after he has his realization that he WAS hurting young girls and decides to leave Robin alone BUT he tells her to go home to her father who is abusing her. Knowing full well the abuse will continue. Then he beats the heck out of the guy who molested a young boy. And poor little Robin was still left in her situation. Hard to accept the ending as it played out.

I was really reluctant to buy this film, mostly because I didn't want to see Kevin Bacon playing the part of a pedophile- too weird!However, his performance is so well done, and he fits the character surprisingly well. The story itself is unique and bravely written (based on a play I believe), and the director has chosen not to shy away from an unpleasant subject matter, yet it is very tastefully and sensitively handled.Bacon's performance is subtle, well handled and believable. His character is surprisingly likable, and his performance raises some interesting questions about the way on which we view certain people in such a black and white way.There are a couple of slightly disturbing scenes which are integral to the film, yet some of them become almost heartwarming when you realise that that Bacon's character has made the right decision.Definitely an interesting watch with some brilliant performances, just be prepared to feel a little uneasy throughout.

I would say the sensitive subject matter was handled very well in this film. Many other people have gone deeper into the film better than I can but I wanted to say that I think this is one of Kevin Bacon's best acting roles, he is so very convincing in what couldn't of been an easy part.For me this wont be a watch again film but i'm glad I watched it, if only for Bacon's performance, he really is a superb actor. I agree with one of the previous reviewers saying that you end up feeling pity for his character, wanting something so taboo and knowing that it's wrong to want it but fighting with your inner demons!Worth a watch if only to see how films should be made, made a change from some of the no heart no feeling rubbish I've seen lately!

This flim, it had taken me 3 times to watch the whloe flimLet's just say when I was 12 somebody went to jail and I was placed in a care home,I still have panic attacks to this day so you can undersatand whell it was hard for me to watch but after watching this film I feel it was done well.Kevin bacon plays this roll down to a tea the 5 star his for his role in this,also I see somebody said about it not being true to life well I'm sorry but some people really do change their sports after years of going to workshops for victims of sexual abuse to build my confidance about how I was attacked and helping move on, I got the cance to confront my attcker at first I could not see him I won't brave,then uneasy then when I did come face to face I wanted him dead over time I found out he'd been a victim himself and had done lots of work helping others to stay strong not attck/out off jail a bit like going to aa meetings I could never speak to him again but I have forgiven him doing so helped me move on though I agree that I personally could not date somebody with this sort of past,it's a very hard subject but tastefully done thank you .

What's the opposite of gritty? Sanitized? This film may be about a child molester who has been released after twelve years in prison but it's so bland and lacklustre that I thought it must have been originally made for television. The man gets an apartment overlooking a school yard, gets a job and almost immediately gets seduced by a woman he works with. If you're looking for realism, give this one a miss.

How can one reconcile one's dislike of paedophilia with liking a man who once indulged in such activities, and may still do so? Kevin Bacon puts in such a good performance that this dilemma is what you end up with. The script is tight, the storyline hangs together realistically well, and the support acting is good - the adult romance lead was well-played by KB's wife, and a positive mention must also be made of the acting by the girl playing Robin, who unwittingly provides Bacon with some sort of revelation as she edges ever closer to disaster. It's another brave budget movie and we should be thankful there are people out there who decide to make and star in films that wouldn't otherwise see the light of day.