The Woodsman Movie Review 2004

Kassell's feature debut is not for the faint-hearted. How do you not depict a convicted pedophile of young girls as a monster? It's a measure of Bacon's talents as Walter that if you can't sympathize with his character (and you're not asked to), you do come to some understanding of his torment. Recently paroled after a 12-year prison term, Walter finds a job in a lumberyard and an apartment opposite a grade school. As Walter struggles to keep his sexual impulses in check, he starts his first adult relationship with equally scarred co-worker Vickie (Bacon's wife Sedgwick), even as receptionist Mary-Kay (Eve) and cop Lucas (Mos Def) become suspicious of withdrawn Walter's behavior. Disturbing without becoming explicit and with a sliver of hopefulness in its resolution. Co-writer Fechter adapted from his play.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on DVD
Running time 87 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Child Abuse

Screenplay

Nicole Kassell, Steven Fechter

Cast

Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Eve, Mos Def, David Alan Grier, Benjamin Bratt, Michael Shannon, Hannah Pilkes, Carlos Leon

Cinematography

Xavier Perez Grobet

Director

Nicole Kassell

Music

Nathan Larson

Other

Thomas J. Varga, Linda Cohen, Lisa Fruchtman, Brian A. Kates, Frank Fleming, Stephen Beatrice

Producer

Lee Daniels, Lee Daniels, Dash Films