The Woodsman (2004)

The Woodsman (2004)

I’m not going to beat about the bush: this film clearly shows that Paedophilia = Disease!

A very good film, in my opinion, but not an excellent one, even if it does try to be profound and a masterpiece. There’s no attempt to evoke pity for the abuser, at most a little compassion for the way he’s mocked and ridiculed everywhere. Personally, I didn’t feel too much pity for him, even though the film manages to make us feel some, and that’s quite incredible. The character is always torn. He wants to improve himself and doesn’t know if he’ll succeed. He dreams of a ‘normal’ life, and when asked what that means, he replies: ‘Watching children and playing with them – no excitement, no sexual vision’.

Interesting and bizarre: the licensee rents a room next to a school, only to discover another paedophile there and project his self-hatred onto him. A person who would like to be different. A delicate subject, well directed.

Good story, but I don’t think the film really has an impact. You have to admit that human beings still have a lot to learn before you can show them such works and hope they understand.

It’s a very bold concept indeed. This film gives us a glimpse into the world of these sick people. It’s certainly worth recommending, but not to just anyone!

Great acting performance! Superb performance, very well played by Kevin Bacon who certainly showed a lot of courage with this role, especially as he had already played an atrocious paedophile in Sleepers. He’s probably a fairly underrated actor in American cinema, but The Woodsman shows, once again, the extent of this man’s talent.

‘The Woodsman is a real success. As a viewer, we feel a fair amount of compassion for the character and can only hope that everything will turn out well, even if a certain ambiguity remains. Then the film comes to an abrupt halt… it’s a shame it’s so short. We would obviously have liked to know a bit more.

This complicated and very daring theme could not have been handled any better. It’s very risky to make a sympathetic character out of an abuser. But Nicole Kassell succeeds very well in not presenting him as an innocent or a hero. On the contrary, Walter is tempted again. But everything about this film is impressive. The story, the twists and turns, the build-up of tension, the brilliant performances by the actors – let’s not forget Mos Def either – and the camera with which this master stroke was filmed. A thought-provoking film. And at the end, everyone can ask themselves whether a delinquent should be left in society? Does everyone deserve a second chance?