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:

Nothing can undo the past.

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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 original script took first place at the 2001 Slamdance Screenplay Competition.

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Goofs

The first time Sgt. Lucas comes, he notices the cherry table that Carlos brought back. The plant is already there, even though Vickie doesn't bring it to Walter until later.

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Quotes

Sgt. Lucas: Have you ever seen a seven year old... sodomized in half?

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #27.160 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Chop Wood, Carry Water"
Written by Kevin Bacon
Performed by The Bacon Brothers
Courtesy of Forosoco Music

User Reviews

Intelligent and thought-provoking.

An intelligent and thought-provoking film that never flinches from it's subject matter, and includes a superb performance from it's leading man. Kassell's film manages to steer clear of didacticism and lays the misunderstandings and prejudices about, and ignorance of, paedophilia open for the audience to interpret in their own way. The protagonist is neither a sympathetic hero or a villain, but during the course of the film he wavers between the two leaving the audience both supportive and sickened. This amalgam of conflicting emotions makes 'The Woodsman' essential viewing for a rational, adult audience. I only wonder how an audience would react to a paedophile played by an unknown actor without Bacon's profile, as I suspect many people would find it harder to accept without his charisma or celebrity attached to the film.