The Woodsman (2004)

Director:

Nicole Kassell

Writers:

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

Release Date:

28 January 2005 (Greece)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

What's the worst thing you ever did?

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Job | Lumberyard | Apartment | Park

Awards:

6 wins & 16 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

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, disturbing behavior and language.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Norway:15 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Ireland:16 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Ireland:18 (video rating) | Mexico:B15

Filming Locations:

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Dash Films

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:

Continuity: The length of Vicki's cigarette changes from almost smoked, to part-smoked to just lit when Walter first tells her about his past.

Quotes:

Vickie: So, are you gonna tell me your dark secret?
Walter: Why do you wanna know?
Vickie: Don't you think I should know before we have sex?
Walter: [looks at her]
Vickie: I don't like to waste time.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

Soundtrack:

Papa Don't Take No Mess Pt. 1

I like the noise

Greetings again from the darkness. Although I am a self-proclaimed Kevin Bacon hater, let me stand up and shout that this is not only his best ever performance (by far) but also a performance that will stand up against most any dramatic turn by any actor. For the first time, Bacon is understated rather than overacting and hamming. The film and Bacon capture the emotional torment of a recently released from prison child molester as he struggles to fit in and "be normal". Bacon's remarkable acting is extremely well supported by (his real life wife) Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt and a most surprising Eve. Bacon's eyes are truly haunting and we feel his pain as he struggles to find a bit of joy amidst his demons. Two weak script features were the rapidness of Sedgwick's character's acceptance of Bacon and the over the top scene in the park with young Robin. Otherwise, the realism was gritty and believable. Not one I want to see again, but the creepiness and edginess make it worth seeing.