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10,000 B.C. Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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Alexandra Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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Woodsman, The
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MPAA RATING: R for sexuality, disturbing behavior and language
Starring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt, David Alan Grier, Eve, Kevin Rice, Michael Shannon, and Hannah Pilkes
A harrowing and moving tale of one man's attempt to re-enter society after twelve years in prison. (Newmarket Films)
| GENRE(S): | Drama |
| WRITTEN BY: |
Steven Fechter
Nicole Kassell |
| DIRECTED BY: | Nicole Kassell |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: April 12, 2005 Theatrical: December 24, 2004 |
| RUNNING TIME: | 87 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | USA |
Nominated, Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic), 2004 Sundance Film Festival; Nominated, Best Debut Performance (Pilkes), Best First Feature, Best Male Lead (Bacon), 2005 Independent Spirit Awards
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jeff M. gave it a9:
Daring and original. Would rate a "10" if the script hadn't made the mistake of unrealistically populating the neighbourhood with an overabundance of child molesters.
Bill C. gave it an8:
A well done film on a difficult subject manner that was done without any heavy handed leanings. Kevin Bacon was fantastic in the part as was Kira Segswick. Difficult to watch in a few places , but acting don't get any better than this.
Tony B gave it a4:
This is one of the more overrated films of 2004 and features one of that year's most overrated performances. Its plot has more contrived elements than it should, and its title is pretentious .
JohnFrancis A. gave it a10:
The basic story is already well stated. So, I humbly will attempt to advance my reasons for my 10: Kenin Bacon is brilliant: he mangages to convey not only the torturous and conflicting emotions of a pedaphile but, in a riveting and more universal display of soulful reflection and anguish, the often brutally conflicting emotions of any "psychological outsider": be they a sexual "deviant"; obsessive neurotic; or, simply, any person who has overwhelming feelings or desires that are in conflict with the "norm" (and in today's political atmosphere, this is a lot of people; thus, I found the film all the more powerful and praiseworthy: thank you to Kevin Bacon and all involved with the film for taking the time to make such a masterpeice knowing it would be seen be only a very limited audience). I was hoping when I searched "MetaCritic" to see a 100. Obviously, I was quite stirred when I saw no less than Richard Schickel give the 100 (if you have not read it, his book on Brando is quite qood reading). The film moved me for several days. Bacon's portrayel is a truly remarkable display of the human condition: or of anyone who has ever had to struggle with any sin and, especially, with the possibility that they might commit it again. The film thus clearly transcends the plight of the pedaphile on a journey of repetance. As a character study, it reviles, if not exceeds, DeNiro's acting in "Taxi Drive". I was saddened to see, as I see increasingly more often even among "professional" critics, that the film was too long or too boring. Sad indeed: it seems more and more that, if no explosions or fake violence, not much interest. Very sad. But, no surprise, again, given how this country has decided to elect its leaders in recent years. In anticipation (and more since I have seen the other reviews) of attacks on the film that it is simply emotional manipulation to feel sympathy for the pedaphile, I say no. Kevin Bacon's performance seems clearly calculated to counter any emotional tugging: he is not a particularly agreeable person, even to Kyra (who tries extremely hard to help him; wish I had such support in my life). You could not blame her for just letting him rot. However, does every tale of attempted redemption have to end in sorrow? As "The Woodsman" shows, not necessarily. The hope that the film leaves lingering is cause for all of us to renew any challenge we have made to confront and beat our demons. I wish all the Walters (Kevin Bacon) in the world success in their battles.
Chad S. gave it a6:
"The Woodsman" earned an "R"-rating from the MPAA, which you would expect for a film about pedophilia. But to my surprise, if you were to excise Kyra Sedgwick's left boob from a semi-vigorous lovemaking scene with her real-life husband, this film might've slided by with a "PG-13" rating. What Richard Masur asks of Dana Hill in "Fallen Angel" is much more sinister and creepy than the dynamics between predator and prey in this instance, you would think "The Woodsman" was the film-made-for-television. My point being, it would've been interesting to see if Bacon could remain sympathetic if; for example, he had a computer and utilized the darker side of Google. Independent film is supposed to push the envelope and reveal truth, right? The film needs to dare us. "I dare you to like Walter after he's done this...and this...AND THIS!!!" "The Woodsman" is to "Happiness", as "Thirteen" is to "Kids"; two movies that never pervades our comfort zones with the feeling of dread and revulsion as did their predecessors. "The Woodsman" is more successful in the way it handles the debate surrounding a sex offender's right to privacy. If that red rubber ball is intended to be Walter's testicle during the moment of arousal, "The Woodsman", in my book, deserves one more "Meta-point".
richard c. gave it a0:
If you like the woodsman, you'll be tickled to death over a film called the aviator. It is just as slow and as boring, but has the added bonus of being twice as long!!!! whopeee!!!
Gareth C. gave it an8:
Disturbing, but an education. Not an easy movie to watch, but excellent performances from the cast, particularly Kevin Bacon. Great directing. When you're up to it, well worth a watch.
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