May 11, 2005
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WEDNESDAY MOVIE The Woodsman
I’ve been hesitant to review this film (out on DVD) because of its subject matter, but as a Kevin Bacon fan I’d have to say this is his best work yet and really deserves attention. Playing a pedophile who has just been released from prison (the specifics of his crime are never explained though it seems his sister might have been the victim), he gets a job in a factory where he meets a feisty woman (played with gusto by his wife in real life, Kyra Sedgwick) who is drawn to him without knowing his secret. He is hounded by co-workers who find out his status and by a cop with a hatred of child molesters. But the film is not written to make his role sympathetic. It proceeds with careful realism, showing his struggle to stay under the radar in the outside world, not to give in to his instincts, and his antipathy toward his own nature. Don’t worry, you won’t have to watch any actual attacks. What you will see is a tremendous performance and a subject that is currently in our faces on TV pretty much every day in a sensationalized way but here treated with the careful attendance to detail it deserves. If you’re looking for comedy or escape, this isn’t it – if you’re looking for thought-provoking, it is. (And in case you’re interested here is an article about pedophilia – its causes and typologies.)
Deep Thought: “When I think of all the hours and hours of my life I have spent watching television, it makes me realize, Man, I am really rich with television”
Today I am grateful for: Lymph glands
Guess the Movie: “ It’s past ten. My daughter is in pain. I don’t understand why she has to have this pain. All she has to do is hold out until ten, and IT’S PAST TEN! My daughter is in pain, can’t you understand that! GIVE MY DAUGHTER THE SHOT!” Answer: Terms of Endearment, 1983.
Winner: AskDennis.
Apocalypse Soon
The Risk of inadvertent nuclear launch is unacceptably high
by Robert S. McNamara
Robert McNamara is worried. He knows how close we’ve come. His counsel helped the Kennedy administration avert nuclear catastrophe during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Today, he believes the United States must no longer rely on nuclear weapons as a foreign-policy tool. To do so is immoral, illegal, and dreadfully dangerous. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 8:43 pm
+ = June Vanity Fair arrives.
- = Still cleaning mouse crap out from behind kitchen appliances.
Comments (16)
I think there’s incredible power in telling stories of people you just can’t be sure about. It’s much more challenging and rewarding.
You seem back to your more regular schedule – are things going better?
I am very reluctant to see that film, and I love Kevin Bacon.
I know (and love) the movie, but I refuse to say because I realize that my head is filled with way more junk than I had ever realized. If only I could figure out a way to empty that stuff and put in useful stuff like how to fix my car when it makes those weird noises.
I won’t be foiled by it this time. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT!
I know I only ever guess at the movies, but I DO read the other stuff.
Guess the Movie: Terms of Endearment. I think.
I thought it was terms of endearment too. Thanks of the heads up on the Woodsman.
Terms of Endearment – yup!
Movie sounds heavy, but good, . . thanks for the review. Terms of Endearment is the movie I watch when I need a good cry, . . or Steel Magnolias.
I agree whole heartedly, its hard to say “I really liked this movie” without people looking at you weird but it was an honest portrait. Have a great day!
The movie looks good.
I couldn’t bring myself to watch that movie in the theatre, although I was somewhat interested when it was released.
One of my friends tried to find Terms of Endearment on DVD for a tearjerker marathon? Couldn’t find it. It must be on DVD right?
I have heard it is one of his best works. Will have to see it for myself…
Even though I’m a huge Kevin Bacon fan, I’m not sure I’d enjoy the movie. Few subjects are as distasteful as pedophilia.
I think it would be a difficult movie to watch, but an interesting one.
i heard that movies pretty good.
Knowing “real life” pedophiles makes the thought of watching this movie totally distasteful.
Terms of Endearment – Seems like everyone knew that one.