THE WOODSMAN
US, 2004, 87 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, David Alan Grier, Eve, Benjamin Bratt, Michael Shannon, Mos Def.
Directed by Nicole Cassel.
The woodsman of the title is the man with the axe who frees Red Riding Hood after she has been devoured by the wolf. This is a film which is both realistic and asks us to use our imaginations in assessing the characters and their behaviour.
It is also a film which tackles a very difficult subject: the paedophile. Specifically, the paedophile who serves his prison sentence and then returns to the world where he has to find a place to live, a job and has to report to a psychologist to continue his therapy and is hounded by police acting as parole supervisors. Many will say that this kind of criminal deserves all that he gets or does not get. However, if a society is healthy, it can be judged by the way it treats its criminals, its humanity despite atrocity. While proper supervision that prevents the paedophile from re-offending is essential, how does he cope back in the world?
After the film is over, we realise that there are a lot of questions that were not answered. This woodsman has been in jail from age 34 to 46. How serious were his offences? What treatment did he receive in prison? How was he helped with his obsession? How deserving is he of audience sympathy?
As played with conviction by Kevin Bacon, he does elicit some sympathy. He is given a job because of his reliable past at work. One of the truck drivers takes a shine to him and she begins a relationship with him. When she discovers the truth, she has to make decisions about her feelings and her principles. This is especially the case after the secretary in the lumber yard takes a dislike to him and makes public his situation. The policeman who harasses him at home makes no attempt to disguise his contempt.
There are two dramatic complications for our emotional response. The first is that the woodsman sees a paedophile stalking young boys in the street below his apartment. What is he to do? Is the fact that he is concerned about the fate of the boys and acts on this enough to forgive him? On the other hand, the film also shows that the drives that made him molest young girls has not gone away despite the therapy. The scene where he meets a young girl in the park and befriends her and the crucial scene where he follows her with dangerous intentions make us wary.
Kevin Bacon is excellent in his role and is supported by his real-life wife, Kyra Sedgwick.
1. The impact of the film, the topic, public interest? Observation of a paedophile? Insight? Judgment? Compassion or not?
1.The Philadelphia settings, ordinary life, apartments, overlooking the school, work in the factory, the countryside? The musical score?
2.The title, the story told by Sergeant Lucas? The theme?
3.The credits, the introduction to Walter, the documentation, prison, parole, the time in jail, getting the job?
4.Walter moving into his apartment, the police and parole conditions, his visits to the therapist, talking, telling his story, being upset by the therapist? Calling him ‘doctor’? His aversion to writing the journal, his change of heart, the sequences of him writing, its effect? His past, his relationship with his sister when they were children, the sexual overtones, smelling her hair, the memories?
5.Sergeant Lucas and his three visits, the first very aggressive, the taunting of Walter? The second and the story of the woodsman? The third and seeking information about the man who was bashed, his injuries? Knowing that Walter had done this?
6.The factory, Walter silent at work, Mary Kay being friendly at the lunch, his snubbing her? His meals, defending Vicky? Talking with her, her offering him the lift, at home, the discussion, her wanting to know the truth, his asking her about the worst thing, her confession that she had a relationship with her best friend’s husband, feeling bad? Walter finally telling her the truth? Her reaction, questions? His wanting her to leave? Their scenes at work? Vicky defending Walter against the information made available? The criticisms of Mary Kay? The other people at work, the man and his attack, the job, the boss and his demands, control?
7.The relationship between Walter and Vicky, the audience sharing a sympathy for Walter or not? Her character, her stories about her brothers, their attacks on her, their respectable marriages and family, their defensiveness? The experience of being with Walter, the return, the drive? Walter and the decision to move in?
8.The window at the apartment, Walter watching the children, his following the girl into the mall and its effect on him, explaining it to the therapist, the therapist’s questions about how it felt? Meeting Robyn in the park, the talk about the bird-watching, his genuine smile? The audience understanding some of the feelings and attitude of Walter? Of the paedophile? The discussion about the birds, the investigation for Robyn to sit on his lap, her being upset, telling Walter about her father and his behaviour, Walter and his defence of her, letting her go?
9.The predator, picking up the young boys outside school, Walter watching, his anger after his experience with Robyn, his bashing the man? The later information about the man and his record interstate?
10.Carlos and his friendship, brother-in-law, coming to meet him, the talks, bringing back the table, discussions about Carla, her age, the birthday party, the photos and Walter not wanting to look? The estranged relationship with Annette? Her not wanting to meet him? The discussion about Carlos’s feelings, especially about his daughter, Carlos and his talk about women – and his anger with Walter? The final meeting in the park – and the audience watching but not privy to what was said?
11.The importance of understanding, the explanation of paedophilia, the past, Walter saying he’d not hurt anyone when he had molested them? Audience and the possibility of another chance? For work, relationships, life? Walter’s future, meeting Annette? With Vicky?
12.The need for this kind of story, especially in times when headlines highlight so many paedophilia and abuse stories?
