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The Woodsman
2004
With a 12-year prison stretch reaching an end, convicted paedophile Walter (Kevin Bacon) faces an uncertain walk back into the free world in THE WOODSMAN. Attempting to keep his previous indiscretions sheltered from prying eyes, Walter tries to piece together his shattered life by finding a job and an apartment. The first task .. Read more
| Starring | Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Eve, Mos Def |
|---|---|
| Director | Nicole Kassell |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Woodsman
With a 12-year prison stretch reaching an end, convicted paedophile Walter (Kevin Bacon) faces an uncertain walk back into the free world in THE WOODSMAN. Attempting to keep his previous indiscretions sheltered from prying eyes, Walter tries to piece together his shattered life by finding a job and an apartment. The first task is relatively simple, with the ex-con finding employment at a lumberyard thanks to his natural talent for woodcraft. An apartment comes less easily, but Walter manages to secure a roof over his head in a building, which--in a cruel twist of irony--is located opposite an elementary school. Walter's brother-in-law Carlos (Benjamin Bratt) remains the only member of his family willing to keep in contact with him; his sister refuses all communication. Meanwhile, Sgt. Lucas (Mos Def) keeps a watchful eye over Walter's activities, while Walter makes faltering strides towards romance with his tough-as-nails co-worker, Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick). But as wary neighbours steel worried glances and make small-town gossip about him, Walter finds it inordinately difficult to keep his past life a secret. For this reformed character, the path to redemption comes strewn with cracked paving stones, which need to be carefully navigated with every tentative step he takes. The sensitivity with which the material in THE WOODSMAN is executed derives from a potent mix of intelligently written source material, wonderful performances (with Bacon in particular putting in a career-defining turn), and an authoritative vision from director Nicole Kassell (THE GREEN HOUR). At the heart of the movie lies a desolate character, guilty of a crime shrouded in taboo, but hoping against all reason that society will accord him a modicum of absolution. A fascinating portrait of a life caught in a state of perpetual turmoil, this is an audacious second feature from Kassell.
| Starring | Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Eve, Mos Def, David Alan Grier, Benjamin Bratt |
|---|---|
| Director | Nicole Kassell |
| Studio | PALISADES TARTAN |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 24 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | None |
| Hearing-impaired | None |
| Subtitles | DVD: None |
| Released | DVD: 27 May 2005 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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In the current climate, it's a brave actor who plays a paedophile and attempts to invest the role with some humanity. Kevin Bacon, long one of Hollywood's underappreciated talents, pulls it off magnificently in this sombre, disturbing tale of a convicted child molester trying to make a life for himself after parole. He plays Walter Rossworth, who finds himself living within sight of a primary school, being harassed by a local cop (rapper Mos Def) and falling in love with a co-worker (played by Bacon's wife Kyra Sedgwick) who's unaware of his past. It's never comfortable to watch — sequences in which Walter looks like he's about to commit further crimes are particularly harrowing. But it's also an intelligent, humane film (from first-time director Nicole Kassell) which is only let down by an ending that veers slightly towards dramatic convenience.
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Effective study of a damaged man attempting to resolve his problems that finally, and fatally, settles for easy answers.
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Most helpful member's review
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109 out of 125 people found this review helpful
Uncomfortable but necessary viewing
'The Woodsman' is a fine debut for director Nicole Kassell and is driven by an exceptional lead performance from Kevin Bacon. He plays Walter, a paedophile who, after being released from a 12 year prison stretch, is struggling to integrate himself back into society. He strikes up a relationship with co-worker Vickie(Bacon's real-life wife Kyra Sedgewick), but finds it increasingly hard to hide the secrets of his past.
This courageous film doesn't shy away from Walter's daily struggles with his desires and a few scenes where he comes close to re-offending are well handled, particularly an encounter with a young girl on a park bench which is very tense and uncomfortable viewing.
The film never quite has the courage of it's convictions though, and the too-neat climax disappoints. It's also annoying that most of the major supporting characters that Walter encounters have been affected by child abuse to differing degrees, an unnecessary and awkward element of the screenplay.
Still, you have to credit all those involved for making such a daring film and one that really deserves to be seen. It's worth watching for Bacon's performance alone(which should have been, but predictably wasn't, Oscar-nominated) and while it's not an easy film, it's a brave and valuable one. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Difficult to watch
I didn't enjoy this one, found it very disturbing.
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News and features
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Daniels 'scared' of Oscars
- 11 Nov 2009
Filmmaker Lee Daniels is shocked to hear his new film Precious has been tipped for success at the upcoming Academy Awards - because he is so used to disappointment at the Oscars. The director admits he was hoping to score a nomination for his 2004 film The Woodsman, which starred Kevin Bacon as a convicted child molester. But he was stunned when the movie, which he produced, failed to be recognised by the Academy. And Daniels admits the disappointment made the Oscar buzz about his latest... Read more
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