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, Kyra Sedgwick, Yasiin Bey

7 wins & 20 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
Yasiin Bey	...	Sgt. Lucas (as Mos Def)
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:

f rated | based on play | peephole | billiards | police officer | 

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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

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2005 (Peru)

Also Known As:

Der Dämon in mir

Filming Locations:

Tague Lumber, 560 East High Street, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$53,985, 26 December 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$40,601, 20 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

Continuity Error: when Sergeant Lucas first visits Walter, the potted ivy plant is already on his desk even though Vicki gives it to him a few scenes later.

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Quotes

Sgt. Lucas: Do you believe in Fairy Tales?
Walter: Fairy Tales?
Sgt. Lucas: Yeah, like Alice in Wonderland.
Walter: No.
Sgt. Lucas: Yeah, yeah, me neither. What's that one with the Woodsman?
Walter: Woodsman?
Sgt. Lucas: Yeah, with the ax?
Walter: I don't know.
Sgt. Lucas: Yeah, you know it. The Woodsman, he cuts open the wolf's stomach and the little girl come out alive...
Walter: Little Red Riding Hood.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Episode #7.1 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Papa Don't Take No Mess Pt. 1
(1991)
Written by James Brown, Fred Wesley, Charles Bobbitt and John Starks
Performed by James Brown
Courtesy of Universal Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Impressive movie

A very interesting movie, and great performance, specially from Kevin Bacon. I was looking for seeing it in Oscars. But, the deep and human stories, cannot touch the Hollywood's system. Perhaps, they prefer to avoid truths, it hearts or it gives away... Anyway, this movie can be appreciated by spectators and they can admire an actor complete and mature, perhaps one of the rare actors in USA's cinema of today. I liked the scenes, the discreetness of the scenarist, the zoom in Kevin Bacon face, as the feelings and the inner battle of the hero, were obvious, perhaps more eloquent than words. Nicole Cassel and all the cast did really a great job. Congratulations!