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 THE
WOODSMAN.
Drama. 87 minutes. Rated R. Brief nudity, sexual situations. After twelve
years in prison, Walter (Kevin Bacon) tires to pull his life back together
with a desperate hope of normalcy. After getting a job and meeting Vickie
(Kyra Sedgwick),
Walter appears to be well on his way to a happy future. However, a
suspicious and aggressive police detective and fear of co-workers
discovering his past haunt Walter to the point of reawakening his past.
The
Woodsman will cause a conflict concerning what you feel for Walter as
a person, not his crimes. As a criminal, you will despise him and wish him
ill-will. However, Kevin Bacon plays this role with such sincerity Walter
comes across as remorseful, and dare I write, likeable. Kyra Sedgwick’s
role as Vickie will have you wondering why she’s with this monster, but
understanding why and how she sees “something better” in and for
Walter. To me, this inner turbulence is a sign of a great movie, which The
Woodsman eclipses. As you may have already guessed, the acting is top
notch, but so is the story, writing, and direction. The shoot locations
also offer a feeling of desperation. The two scenes, one crucial to the
film’s success, between Walter and Robin (Hannah Pilkes) are intense and will have you scared to death of what may
happen. The last of the two may even bring a tear to your eye (ohhh, I’m
such a sensitive slob). Hannah Pilkes magnificently performs her gutsy
role as Robin; a role I’m sure was difficult to accept. Extras
include director’s commentary, deleted scenes, and a short documentary.
The Woodsman is such a compelling movie, I think I’ll watch it again.
– Denis Sheehan
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