Am I Missing Something?

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Definitely a movie that will get you thinking and pondering, as a convicted child moleseter, who has served his prison time, tries to start life anew, suffering the gamut of emotions and sensations. Kevin Bacon turns in a star performance in this very difficult role of a pedophile, a role that calls for many subtle displays of feeling, proper acting talent! Superbly done. All aspects of this picture click together so well, to produce a solid, valuable film. This is a real cinematic success, rarely seen these days, harks back to the 50s and 60s when sensitive themes were often tackled head-on by the studios, and not always with success. 2004's "The Woodsman" deserves a strong 8/10, almost 9/10.

Without question, this is THE BEST performance by anyone I have ever seen. I think for Mr Bacon to have taken this role was a courageous and brave thing. Such raw subject matter so brilliantly handled.I don't do 'celebrity fandom' but for this film, Kevin and the entire cast have my respect. Bloody well done all!

In The Woodsman, Kevin Bacon gives the most powerful performance of his career in a challenging film about paedophilia, or rather its aftermath. Difficult subject matter for anyone to watch, The Woodsman seems to offer an explanation of this particular case, which feels implausibly straight-forward. Still, the exploration of the subject is highly thought provoking. Bacon stars with his off-screen wife Kyra Sedgewick, whose own performance is adept and nuanced, although sometimes her character feels too tailored to fit Walter, suggesting one has to be damaged to feel anything for someone who is damaged. Mos Def also gives a good supporting performance as the police officer tracking Walter's movements. There is a scene near the end which is the most tense that I can remember watching in recent years, all the more so because the story had generated some sympathy for Bacon's character by that point. Ultimately, The Woodsman's conclusion is too convenient and comfortable, and yet it is the only aspect that lets the film down. Worth viewing if only as reminder that Kevin Bacon is an excellent actor, and that there are many films out there that you have never seen, but probably should and will be well rewarded for seeking out - The Woodsman should be at the top of that list.

Paedophilia is a difficult subject for any film maker to cover. It requires a great deal of tact, causing many to simply use them as a plot device or villain whilst avoiding elaborating on them to bypass any disputes on their portrayal. 'The Woodsman' completely disregards any potential controversies and goes for the jugular, placing Kevin Bacon front and centre as the troubled Walter.Upon his release from prison, Walter returns to his home-town to rebuild his life, only to find his past acts aren't forgotten. Ostracised by the vast majority of his family, he is ashamed and leads a quiet existence to avoid drawing any attention, failing when he attracts a co-worker, Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick) which leads to a complicated relationship.Throughout the feature, Bacon is the protagonist, forcing the viewer to see events from his perspective. I can only compliment the cast and crew as they manipulate your mindset to empathise with the criminals troubles despite your own opposition to what he has done. It's an impressive feat which is reinforced by a solid performance, be that as it may I never found myself rooting for him due to his previous act. An interesting point as this reflects on other people within the movie. Regardless of the time that had passed since the crimes, the road to redemption for Walter would be a long and arduous one, with an abundance of distrust along his path to atonement, including a run in with another predator outside his flat. Ignored when contacting police because of his past.Rather than going for a stereotypical depiction of a paedophile the character is given an abundance of personality and you can tell that the lead really made sure his appearance assisted in adding depth to the life he was portraying. He is shown as thin with a darkness around his eyes. Without even mentioning this, it is apparent he has problems with sleeping and eating due to his guilt.Also, whilst he is determined to live a normal lifestyle without the torment and temptation that his demons encourage daily, the attraction is always there to him, which leads to the most disturbing idea that the film presents. The idea that his urges aren't suppressible, that it is a part of him, much like a sexuality. That concept is chilling yet it explains Walters frustration and depression.It was a very audacious move by the film-makers to produce a film showing this perspective, however, its downfalls lie in the pacing and my disbelief that a convicted child molester would be re-homed across from a playground and the ease in which he has a relationship with an adult considering his problems. Surely the intimacy should have felt more forced to portray his attempt to move on from his past? Nonetheless, performances from all are of a high calibre. From the distant Walter, to the watchful Detective Sergeant Lucas (Mos Def) everyone gives a convincing display in each persona.Due to it's content and pacing, it isn't a film I'd recommend yet I applaud how bold the industry were for going ahead with a movie of this ilk. My opinions are completely unchanged on paedophilia, it still sickens me to my core although this film does show a very compelling perspective on how their minds potentially work.