I’m still trying to figure out to whom the film’s title “The Woodsman” refers to. On the one hand, it is obviously the film’s primary character Walter (Kevin Bacon), because, well, because he’s the main character. But also because he does, in fact, work with wood. On the other hand, however, the title seems to be in reference to the woodsman of the Little Red Riding Hood who – in the Brothers Grimm version – cuts open the fox and rescues the girl. Who is the woodsman in The Woodsman.

If it’s supposed to be Walter, it’s hard to see. At the beginning of The Woodsman Walter has just been released from jail after serving twelve years for abusing some young girls. Throughout the film we see him struggle with his past and his future.

It’s an interesting character study, but not much more. Walter gets a job cutting wood and develops a relationship with co-worker Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick), who is attracted to Walter, despite his past, for reasons we are not told. He still struggles with his feelings towards little girls and tries to keep low from Sgt. Lucas (Mos Def) who’s tight on his tail.

The quite, slow, moody film does reach marks of tension at times – especially when Walter finds himself alone with young girls. The film is, otherwise, a meander through Walter’s life, which is interesting for absolutely no other reason than his perverted struggles. When he’s not struggling – when he’s hooking up with Vickie, for example – the film’s interest level drops off considerably.

The Woodsman manages to salvage itself from failure through a poignant, positive scene where we see that Walter eventually begins to overcome himself. I appreciate the way that his empowerment comes – by seeing the girls as real people instead of objects – but it doesn’t convince us that he is “the woodsman” or, more importantly, that watching his struggles amount to a good movie.

Year: