The Woodsman (2004)

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

Director:

Nicole Kassell

Writers:

Steven Fechter (play), Nicole Kassell (screenplay),

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, David Alan Grier, Kyra Sedgwick

6 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | child molester | lumberyard | job | apartment | 

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Taglines:

What's the worst thing you ever did?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, disturbing behavior and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2005 (Peru)

Also Known As:

Der Dämon in mir

Filming Locations:

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$53,985 (USA) (24 December 2004)

Gross:

$42,069 (USA) (18 November 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dash Films, Lee Daniels Entertainment, The Woodsman LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Walter: They think I'm crazy.
Rosen: Do you think you're crazy?
Walter: You know, talking to you is like riding on a fucking merry-go-round.
Rosen: That's a marvelous image, Walter. Because by going in circles, we find things we missed the first time around.

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Connections

References Late Show with David Letterman (1993)

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Soundtracks

"At the Fairground"
Written by Richard Johnson and Steve Cairn
Performed by Studio Musicians
Courtesy of Opus 1 Music

User Reviews

Ignore the low rating

I saw this movie at the Vancouver Film Festival. Not only was it one of the best movies I saw at the fest, but one of the best of the year. I truly believed it to be Bacon's career performance.

The script is solid, full of great dialogue and thick symbolism. The characters all fully developed and never one-sided. Each has their dark side. A commendable effort to Emmy winner, Mos Def, who makes us hate him when he's a good cop, and love him when he's a bad one.

The reason the rating is so low is because it's hard to accept a character that is a child molester. Probably because everyone knows someone or is someone who has been sexually abused. This is a film about redemption and forgiveness--something we can all definitely agree with. It is also a story about humanity--something we all have in common.