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:

pantyhose | f rated | child abuse | pedophile witchhunt | male rear nudity | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

As research, director Nicole Kassell interviewed sex offenders, as well as therapists who worked with them.

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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

Rosen: So, how are you adjusting?
Walter: I'm adjusting okay.
Rosen: And your new apartment?
Walter: Apartment's okay.
Rosen: How's the job?
Walter: The job's okay.
Rosen: Do I take "okay" to mean you feel good about working there?
Walter: I said the job's okay.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

His Eye is on the Sparrow
(1905)
Music by Charles Gabriel (as C. Gabriel)
Lyrics by Civilla Martin (as C. Martin)
Performed by Patti LaBelle
Courtesy of Def Soul Records

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2005 (Peru)

Also Known As:

The Woodsman

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$53,985, 26 December 2004

Gross USA:

$1,576,231

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,678,405

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