Plot
A child molester returns to his hometown after 12 years in prison and attempts to start a new life.

Release Year: 2004

Rating: 7.3/10 (18,618 voted)

Critic's Score: 72/100

Director: Nicole Kassell

Stars: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def

Storyline
After twelve years in prison, Walter arrives in an unnamed city, moves into a small apartment across the street from an elementary school, gets a job at a lumberyard, and mostly keeps to himself. A quiet, guarded man, Walter finds unexpected solace from Vickie, a tough-talking woman who promises not to judge him for his history. But Walter cannot escape his past. A convicted sex offender, Walter is warily eyed by his brother-in-law, shunned by his sister, lives in fear of being discovered at work, and is hounded by a suspicious local police officer, Detective Lucas. After befriending a young girl in a neighborhood park, Walter must also grapple with the terrible prospect of his own reawakened demons.

Writers: Steven Fechter, Nicole Kassell

Cast:
Kevin Bacon - Walter
David Alan Grier - Bob
Eve - Mary-Kay
Kyra Sedgwick - Vicki
Benjamin Bratt - Carlos
Carlos Leon - Pedro
Michael Shannon - Rosen
Kevin Rice - Candy
Mos Def - Sgt. Lucas
Hannah Pilkes - Robin
Jessica Nagle - Annette
Liam Daniels - Boy at Playground
Joey Hazinsky - Cherub
Clara Hopkins Daniels - Little Girl on Bus (as Clara Infinity Daniels)
Ashley C. Coombs - Girl on Bus

Taglines: Nothing can undo the past.

Official Website: Official site |

Release Date: 28 January 2005

Filming Locations: Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Opening Weekend: $53,985 (USA) (26 December 2004) (6 Screens)

Gross: $1,566,812 (USA) (6 March 2005)

Runtime: 87 min

Trivia:
The part of Mary Kay, played by Eve, was originally intended for a 45 year old white male. She was recommended for the part by Kevin Bacon, and was hired without a single audition.

Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Walter and Vicki are driving in her truck for the first time, the transmission selector is clearly in "park".

Quotes:
Walter: [Repeated line] When will I be normal?

Disturbing, unsettling, but brilliant and spellbinding

Rating: 9/10

The last film that unsettled me much like "The Woodsman" did was Todd Solondz's superb and exceedingly black comedy, "Happiness" (1998), which dealt with similar themes. But unlike Solondz, who never seems to like any of his characters, screenwriters Nicole Kassell and Steven Fechter appear to genuinely care about the people they create.

Their story's really very simple: Walter (Kevin Bacon) gets out of prison after serving a dozen years for molesting young girls. He takes a job at a Philadelphia-area lumber mill and tries to get his life back together again, while dealing with his inner demons.

What's likely to disturb many about "The Woodsman" is that Kassell and Fechter raise the intriguing question of whether someone who's done something despicable is not only capable of putting his life back together again after serving his time, but also whether society ought to allow him to do so. And to make our job even tougher, Kassell and Fechter don't turn Walter into a monster.

"The Woodsman" is aided immensely by a strong, compelling performance by Bacon. It's easily his best work, a role that requires him to underplay his character. Director Kassell isn't shy about letting the camera linger on Bacon's face and Bacon credibly brings to life Walter's suffering. It's a sensationally good performance. Bacon gives him depth and feeling and we suddenly find ourselves caring about this reprehensible man.

There are some superb supporting performances, including Mos Def as a cop, David Alan Grier as Walter's boss and Benjamin Bratt proving he really can act if he's given a good role. The most interesting supporting character is Vickie, a coworker willing to give Walter a second chance at life. Kyra Sedgwick, a gifted, yet under-rated, actress, is utterly convincing as Vickie, a woman almost as damaged as Walter is.

The Walter-Vickie relationship works because there's terrific chemistry between Bacon and Sedgwick. True, they're husband and wife, but real-life couples can fail miserably on screen. Kidman and Cruise in "Far and Away" (1992), anyone?

Bacon and Sedgwick's scenes are tender, passionate and real. Though, there's one intimate moment between Walter and Vickie that's clearly inspired by the famous Donald Sutherland-Julie Christie love scene in Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now" (1973).

What makes "The Woodsman" such gripping viewing is that the film doesn't shy away from letting us into Walter's struggle. There's a particularly uncomfortable scene on a park bench as Walter comes to terms with his true nature.

"The Woodsman" is a film that deserves to be seen. It's a pity that less-than-mediocre movies, such as "Connie and Carla" and "Twisted," get widely released, while a gem like "The Woodsman" gets to very few theaters. Seek out this film. It's not an easy film to watch, but the performances are all good, the story's riveting and it's definitely one of the best, most thought-provoking films of the year.

Comments: