Review of Woodsman, The

Introduction

Paedophilia is such a difficult subject to write about, let alone provide the subject matter for a film, given it`s `taboo` nature. Based on Steven Fechter`s play and co-written for the screen by him and Nicole Kassell (who also directed), `The Woodsman` concerns the struggle that Walter (Kevin Bacon) has as he tries to hold down a job, forge a relationship with a co-worker and rebuild family ties whilst battling his inner demons.

Video

A crisp anamorphic widescreen transfer with good colour definition and contrast.

Audio

Surprisingly there is no 5.1 mix, but the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track is perfectly fine for this dialogue dominated film.

Features

With the absence of a commentary or any featurettes, there is only the near-compulsory trailer.

Conclusion

It`s no exaggeration to describe the making of a film with such subject matter as `brave` and it`s to the credit of Nicole Kassell and especially Kevin Bacon that `The Woodsman` was ever made.

My limited knowledge of paedophiles is that they seldom feel remorse because they do not believe that there is anything wrong with paedophilia; the central theme of `The Woodsman` is that here is a man who does feel remorse for his actions and is desperate to be `normal`. However, he must overcome an over-familiar cop (Mos Def), Megan`s Law, being shunned by his family and his own past and ability to tell the truth when his girlfriend (Kyra Sedgewick) asks him "what`s the worst thing you`ve ever done?".

Kevin Bacon is arguably one of the leading character actors around today and he puts in a brilliant performance in a difficult role. The supporting performances by Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt and Bacon`s off-screen wife Kyra Sedgwick are all excellent and the interplay between Bacon and the rest of the cast is superb. `The Woodsman` is never easy or comfortable viewing, but it is beautifully acted and shot, and is an intelligent look into the re-integration of paedophiles into society.