• Director:     Nicole Kassell
  

• Writer(s):    Nicole Kassell & Steven Fechter

• Starring:    Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwich, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt, Eve & David Alan Grier

• Genre:     Drama

• Country:    United States

• Language:    English
  

Kevin Bacon--is by far the most versatile actor of our time. He confirms this in the movie The Woodsman where he plays the character Walter, a convicted pedophile just released from prison after 12 years of confinement. He is released under supervised supervision due to the likelihood he would offend again. He is assigned a 'watcher' or parole officer by the name of Lucas (Mos Def)--whom hates Walter--and is upset that he was, and people like him are released back into society.

When I first thought about watching The Woodsman I was terrified. Why would I want to watch a movie with such content--content that would remind me of my own childhood abuses. Why is it important to go past these terrible memories for the love of watching Independent filming--and to watch Kevin Bacon in such a controversial role? Why, when I know that I would hate him--hate Kevin Bacon of all people--just because he chose to play the role of a child pedophile. Why? To test myself to see if I can get beyond still worrying at night that someone will creep into my apartment--and cause me harm; or out of fear sleep under my bed because I still think that someone will come in to lie beside me while I was sleeping--Why watch this movie--my answer to all this is most important:   to heal and get beyond my pain.

Walter (Kevin Bacon) moves into an apartment that is just across the street from an elementary school. He would test himself by walking the perimeter limit, as if he were walking on a wire--and would look out his window of his apartment of the children playing outside. Lucas would come in and severely scold Walter frequently. Which tests his sanity and deepens his guilt of his crime. He has no family--and the only person that speaks with him is a brother in law, who helps him to get a job. Which for a time, keeps Walter focused.  Content.

One day Walter notices a car that would ride by the school everyday--he would see a man offering candy and talking with some of the young boys at the school. One day, a child goes missing--and Lucas comes by to pay Walter a visit. He realizes that Walter did not have anything to do with the disappearance--and moves on.    Later that evening Walter sees 'Candy' or the man who was talking to the boys earlier, dropping off a small child at the school. There is a violent altercation, in reflection of his own life--Walter beats the man to submission--as if to 'beat himself' for being what he is.   This is the most poignant film I have watched to date.   But I only had the courage to watch it only once.

There is so much depth to this film--and the involvement of every character is crucial--which is why this film's message is so successful.   It did not get shown to expanded audiences--Bacon was even criticized for his role in the film. He comes out in the end--a hero of sorts--but you will have to see the movie and see exactly how.   I highly recommend this film.

As for me--the scars are still there--and always will be there, as quoted before in a novel by Jenny Davis, 'Sex Education':

'you have to teach yourself about pain, it has to be put to use--caring use. Otherwise it just kills you and I don't want to die' (Davis, 1989)

'What's the worse thing you ever did?' (2004).

The Woodsman. (2004). Director Nicole Kassell. IMDb.

The Woodsman-Official Movie Site. 2004.

Davis, J.  (1989). Sex Education.  A novel by Jenny Davis.  Laurel Leaf Publishers. 1995.