The Woodsman

The Woodsman
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Nicole Kassell
Produced by	Lee Daniels Marvet Britto
Written by	Steven Fechter Nicole Kassell
Starring	Kevin Bacon Kyra Sedgwick Mos Def Benjamin Bratt Eve David Alan Grier
Music by	Nathan Larson
Cinematography	Xavier Pérez-Grobet
Editing by	Lisa Fruchtmann Brian A. Kates
Studio	Dash Films
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	December 2004 (2004-12)
Running time	87 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2.5 million
Box office	$4,500,000

The Woodsman is a 2004 drama film directed and co-written (with Steven Fechter) by Nicole Kassell, based on Fechter's play of the same name. The movie stars Kevin Bacon as a convicted child molester who must adjust to life after prison.

Plot

Walter (Kevin Bacon), a convicted child molester, returns home to Philadelphia after serving 12 years in prison. Now that he is out of prison, Walter must learn to endure solitude, ostracism, the contempt of community, avoid any temptation, and overcome his compulsions. His friends and family have abandoned him, with the exception of his brother-in-law, Carlos (Benjamin Bratt). Walter's apartment is just across the street from an elementary school; an obvious source of temptation.

He gets a job at a local lumber mill, where he meets Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick), one of the few women working there. After sleeping with her he reveals his history of molesting little girls. Vicki is clearly shocked and disturbed by this new information. Before she has a chance to sort out her feelings, Walter is overcome by anxiety, and he orders her out of the apartment.

Walter receives frequent visits from a suspicious, verbally abusive and provocative police officer named Lucas (Mos Def). Lucas makes it clear that he is waiting for, in his opinion, an inevitable re-incidence or any reason to arrest him.

Watching the school, Walter sees a man offering candy to the children of the school trying to gain their confidence. He realizes that this man, who he nicknames "Candy" (Kevin Rice), is also a child molester. Walter also meets an apparently lonely young girl named Robin (Hannah Pilkes) who is a bird-watcher.

Walter sees Candy abduct one of the children; however, he does not report this to the police. A new visit by Lucas, who is unaware of the crimes committed near the school, begins to take its toll upon Walter's morale.

Walter's life takes a further downturn when a suspicious and nosey co-worker (Eve) learns of his conviction and alerts the entire mill. Some of the employees nearly beat Walter, but he is defended by Vicki and the boss of the mill. Several co-workers resign in disgust, unwilling and/or unable to give Walter a second chance. Ostracised and frustrated, Walter leaves his working place and goes to the park. Vicki, fearing the worst, begins to search for him.

Robin meets Walter and talking to him begins to confide in him. Crying, she reveals that her father is abusing her. Traumatized and confused by her experience, sensing a similarity between her father and Walter, and wanting approval, she offers to sit on Walter's lap.

Overcoming his compulsion, Walter tells her to go home and as she leaves, she gives him a hug. On his way home, he sees Candy dropping off a young boy near the school at night. In a fit of rage and self-hatred, Walter gives him a thorough beating. Afterwards he goes to Vicki's home, and she accepts him.

Soon after, Lucas visits Walter's apartment as he is packing to move in with Vicki and tells him that a man was beaten across the street the night before, and asks if he knows anything about it. Walter denies any knowledge, but Lucas knows better. He reveals that the boy gave a very good description of the assailant, which fits Walter. He also reveals that "Candy" is wanted in Virginia for raping a young boy. Lucas decides not to charge Walter with the assault.

With Carlos' help Walter later meets his sister, who he hasn't seen in years. She refuses to forgive him and leaves. As the movie closes, in a voiceover discussion in which his therapist (Michael Shannon) tells him that eventual forgiveness may take several years, Walter replies that he understands and that he accepts her anger. He also expresses optimism for his own future.

Cast

• Kevin Bacon as Walter
• Kyra Sedgwick as Vicki
• Mos Def as Lucas
• Benjamin Bratt as Carlos
• Eve as Mary-Kay
• David Alan Grier as Bob
• Hannah Pilkes as Robin
• Kevin Rice as "Candy"
• Michael Shannon as Rosen
• Carlos Leon as Pedro
• Jessica Nagle as Annette

Production

The movie was shot in Philadelphia, which is the hometown of cast members Kevin Bacon, and Eve, as well as the birthplace of director Nicole Kassell, and producer Lee Daniels. Due in whole or in part to this, Bacon chose to speak with a thicker Philadelphia accent than he has, because he thought it was essential to the character.

Response

The film was well-received critically, with Bacon's performance in particular drawing praise. Rotten Tomatoes reported that 88% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 129 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. It was nominated for the "Grand Jury Prize" award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, won the "Jury Special Prize" at the Deauville Film Festival, and was a featured film at the 2005 Traverse City Film Festival.

The film's release in the U.S. was limited, reaching a peak of 84 theaters. Despite being advertised in cinemas in the UK for several months, the film had a very limited release in the UK due to its controversial subject matter. Its gross in the US was $1.5 million, while its worldwide gross totaled $4.5 million.

External links

• Official website
• The Woodsman at the Internet Movie Database
• Interview with Kevin Bacon about The Woodsman