The Woodsman
Encyclopedia
The Woodsman is a 2004 drama film
directed and co-written (with Steven Fechter
) by Nicole Kassell
, based on Fechter's play of the same name. The movie stars Kevin Bacon
as a convicted child molester who must adjust to life after prison.
), a convicted child molester, returns home to Philadelphia after serving 12 years in prison. Now that he is out of prison, Walter must learn to endure solitude, ostracism, the contempt of community, avoid any temptation, and overcome his compulsions. His friends and family have abandoned him, with the exception of his brother-in-law, Carlos (Benjamin Bratt
). Walter's apartment is just across the street of an elementary school; an obvious source of temptation.
He gets a job at a local lumber mill, where he meets Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick
), one of the few women working there. After sleeping with her he reveals his history of molesting little girls. Vicki is clearly shocked and disturbed by this new information. Before she has a chance to sort out her feelings, Walter is overcome by anxiety, and he orders her out of the apartment.
Walter receives frequent visits from a suspicious, verbally abusive and provocative police officer named Lucas (Mos Def
). Lucas makes it clear that he is waiting for, in his opinion, an inevitable re-incidence or any reason to arrest him.
Watching the school, Walter sees a man offering candy to the children of the school trying to gain their confidence. He realizes that this man, who he nicknames "Candy" (Kevin Rice), is also a child molester. Walter also meets an apparently lonely young girl named Robin (Hannah Pilkes) who is a bird-watcher.
Walter sees Candy abduct one of the children; however, he does not report this to the police. His reasons are never stated, though we might guess that he identified with the perpetrator to some degree, and/or may not have wanted to take the risk of calling attention to the abduction and becoming a suspect himself.
A new visit by Lucas, who is unaware of the crimes committed near the school, begins to take its toll upon Walter's morale.
Walter's life takes a further downturn when a suspicious and nosy co-worker (Eve
) learns of his conviction and alerts the entire mill. Some of the employees nearly beat Walter, but he is defended by Vicki and the boss of the mill. Several co-workers resign in disgust, unwilling and/or unable to give Walter a second chance. Ostracised and frustrated, Walter leaves his working place and goes to the park. Vicki, fearing the worst, begins to search for him.
Robin meets Walter and talking to him begins to confide in him. Crying, she reveals that her father is abusing her. Traumatized and confused by her experience, sensing a similarity between her father and Walter, and wanting approval, she offers to sit on Walter's lap.
Overcoming his compulsion, Walter tells her to go home and as she leaves, she gives him a hug. On his way home, he sees Candy dropping off a young boy near the school at night. In a fit of rage and self-hatred, Walter gives him a thorough beating. Afterwards he goes to Vicki's home, and she accepts him.
Soon after, Lucas visits Walter's apartment as he is packing to move in with Vicki and tells him that a man was beaten across the street the night before, and asks if he knows anything about it. Walter denies any knowledge, but Lucas knows better. He reveals that the boy gave a very good description of the assailant, which fits Walter. He also reveals that "Candy" is wanted in Virginia for raping a young boy. Lucas decides not to charge Walter with the assault.
With Carlos' help Walter later meets his sister, who he hasn't seen in years. She refuses to forgive him and leaves. As the movie closes, in a voiceover discussion in which his therapist (Michael Shannon
) tells him that eventual forgiveness may take several years, Walter replies that he understands and that he accepts her anger. He also expresses optimism for his own future.
, and Eve
, as well as the birthplace of director Nicole Kassell
, and producer Lee Daniels
. Due in whole or in part to this, Bacon chose to speak with a thicker Philadelphia accent
than he has, because he thought it was essential to the character.
reported that 88% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 129 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. It was nominated for the "Grand Jury Prize" award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival
, won the "Jury Special Prize" at the Deauville Film Festival, and was a featured film at the 2005 Traverse City Film Festival
.
The film's release in the U.S. was limited, reaching a peak of 84 theaters. Despite being advertised in cinemas in the UK for several months, the film had a very limited release in the UK due to its controversial subject matter. Its gross in the US was $1.5 million, while its worldwide gross totaled $4.5 million.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed and co-written (with Steven Fechter
Steven Fechter
Steven Fechter is a playwright and an award-winning screenwriter. He wrote The Woodsman, an award-winning film starring Kevin Bacon.-References:...
) by Nicole Kassell
Nicole Kassell
Nicole Kassell is an American film director.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she received her degree from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU...
, based on Fechter's play of the same name. The movie stars Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Norwood Bacon is an American film and theater actor whose notable roles include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, Wild Things, A Few Good Men, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woodsman, Trapped, Friday the 13th, Hollow Man, Tremors, Death Sentence, Frost/Nixon, Crazy, Stupid, Love....
as a convicted child molester who must adjust to life after prison.
Plot
Walter (Kevin BaconKevin Bacon
Kevin Norwood Bacon is an American film and theater actor whose notable roles include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, Wild Things, A Few Good Men, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woodsman, Trapped, Friday the 13th, Hollow Man, Tremors, Death Sentence, Frost/Nixon, Crazy, Stupid, Love....
), a convicted child molester, returns home to Philadelphia after serving 12 years in prison. Now that he is out of prison, Walter must learn to endure solitude, ostracism, the contempt of community, avoid any temptation, and overcome his compulsions. His friends and family have abandoned him, with the exception of his brother-in-law, Carlos (Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the TV series Law & Order; and his appearances in the movies Blood in Blood Out, Miss Congeniality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Traffic, and Piñero.-Early life:Bratt was born in San Francisco, California,...
). Walter's apartment is just across the street of an elementary school; an obvious source of temptation.
He gets a job at a local lumber mill, where he meets Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick
Kyra Sedgwick
Kyra Minturn Sedgwick is an American actress.Sedgwick is best known for her starring role as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson on the TNT crime drama The Closer. Sedgwick's role in the series won her a Golden Globe Award in 2007 and an Emmy Award in 2010...
), one of the few women working there. After sleeping with her he reveals his history of molesting little girls. Vicki is clearly shocked and disturbed by this new information. Before she has a chance to sort out her feelings, Walter is overcome by anxiety, and he orders her out of the apartment.
Walter receives frequent visits from a suspicious, verbally abusive and provocative police officer named Lucas (Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
). Lucas makes it clear that he is waiting for, in his opinion, an inevitable re-incidence or any reason to arrest him.
Watching the school, Walter sees a man offering candy to the children of the school trying to gain their confidence. He realizes that this man, who he nicknames "Candy" (Kevin Rice), is also a child molester. Walter also meets an apparently lonely young girl named Robin (Hannah Pilkes) who is a bird-watcher.
Walter sees Candy abduct one of the children; however, he does not report this to the police. His reasons are never stated, though we might guess that he identified with the perpetrator to some degree, and/or may not have wanted to take the risk of calling attention to the abduction and becoming a suspect himself.
A new visit by Lucas, who is unaware of the crimes committed near the school, begins to take its toll upon Walter's morale.
Walter's life takes a further downturn when a suspicious and nosy co-worker (Eve
Eve (rapper)
Eve Jihan Jeffers , is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and actress. Her first three albums have reached a total of over 8 million albums sold worldwide. She has also achieved success in fashion as she started a clothing line titled "Fetish." She won a Grammy Award in 2002 for the...
) learns of his conviction and alerts the entire mill. Some of the employees nearly beat Walter, but he is defended by Vicki and the boss of the mill. Several co-workers resign in disgust, unwilling and/or unable to give Walter a second chance. Ostracised and frustrated, Walter leaves his working place and goes to the park. Vicki, fearing the worst, begins to search for him.
Robin meets Walter and talking to him begins to confide in him. Crying, she reveals that her father is abusing her. Traumatized and confused by her experience, sensing a similarity between her father and Walter, and wanting approval, she offers to sit on Walter's lap.
Overcoming his compulsion, Walter tells her to go home and as she leaves, she gives him a hug. On his way home, he sees Candy dropping off a young boy near the school at night. In a fit of rage and self-hatred, Walter gives him a thorough beating. Afterwards he goes to Vicki's home, and she accepts him.
Soon after, Lucas visits Walter's apartment as he is packing to move in with Vicki and tells him that a man was beaten across the street the night before, and asks if he knows anything about it. Walter denies any knowledge, but Lucas knows better. He reveals that the boy gave a very good description of the assailant, which fits Walter. He also reveals that "Candy" is wanted in Virginia for raping a young boy. Lucas decides not to charge Walter with the assault.
With Carlos' help Walter later meets his sister, who he hasn't seen in years. She refuses to forgive him and leaves. As the movie closes, in a voiceover discussion in which his therapist (Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon (actor)
Michael Corbett Shannon is an American stage, film, and television actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Revolutionary Road...
) tells him that eventual forgiveness may take several years, Walter replies that he understands and that he accepts her anger. He also expresses optimism for his own future.
Cast
- Kevin BaconKevin BaconKevin Norwood Bacon is an American film and theater actor whose notable roles include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, Wild Things, A Few Good Men, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woodsman, Trapped, Friday the 13th, Hollow Man, Tremors, Death Sentence, Frost/Nixon, Crazy, Stupid, Love....
as Walter - Kyra SedgwickKyra SedgwickKyra Minturn Sedgwick is an American actress.Sedgwick is best known for her starring role as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson on the TNT crime drama The Closer. Sedgwick's role in the series won her a Golden Globe Award in 2007 and an Emmy Award in 2010...
as Vicki - Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
as Lucas - Benjamin BrattBenjamin BrattBenjamin Bratt is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the TV series Law & Order; and his appearances in the movies Blood in Blood Out, Miss Congeniality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Traffic, and Piñero.-Early life:Bratt was born in San Francisco, California,...
as Carlos - EveEve (rapper)Eve Jihan Jeffers , is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and actress. Her first three albums have reached a total of over 8 million albums sold worldwide. She has also achieved success in fashion as she started a clothing line titled "Fetish." She won a Grammy Award in 2002 for the...
as Mary-Kay - David Alan GrierDavid Alan GrierDavid Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
as Bob - Hannah Pilkes as Robin
- Kevin Rice as "Candy"
- Michael ShannonMichael Shannon (actor)Michael Corbett Shannon is an American stage, film, and television actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Revolutionary Road...
as Rosen - Carlos LeonCarlos LeonCarlos Manuel Leon is a Cuban personal trainer and actor and is most famous for being Madonna's baby daddy, as she gave birth to their daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, on October 14, 1996....
as Pedro - Jessica Nagle as Annette
Production
The movie was shot in Philadelphia, which is the hometown of cast members Kevin BaconKevin Bacon
Kevin Norwood Bacon is an American film and theater actor whose notable roles include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, Wild Things, A Few Good Men, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woodsman, Trapped, Friday the 13th, Hollow Man, Tremors, Death Sentence, Frost/Nixon, Crazy, Stupid, Love....
, and Eve
Eve (rapper)
Eve Jihan Jeffers , is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and actress. Her first three albums have reached a total of over 8 million albums sold worldwide. She has also achieved success in fashion as she started a clothing line titled "Fetish." She won a Grammy Award in 2002 for the...
, as well as the birthplace of director Nicole Kassell
Nicole Kassell
Nicole Kassell is an American film director.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she received her degree from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU...
, and producer Lee Daniels
Lee Daniels
Lee Louis Daniels is an American actor, film producer, and director. He produced Monster's Ball and directed the film Precious, which received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director; the film won two of the awards.-Early years:Daniels was born on Christmas Eve, 1959, in...
. Due in whole or in part to this, Bacon chose to speak with a thicker Philadelphia accent
Philadelphia accent
The Philadelphia dialect is the dialect of English spoken in Philadelphia; and extending into Philadelphia's suburbs in the Delaware Valley and southern New Jersey. It is one of the best-studied dialects of American English since Philadelphia's University of Pennsylvania is the home institution of...
than he has, because he thought it was essential to the character.
Response
The film was well-received critically, with Bacon's performance in particular drawing praise. Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reported that 88% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 129 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. It was nominated for the "Grand Jury Prize" award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, won the "Jury Special Prize" at the Deauville Film Festival, and was a featured film at the 2005 Traverse City Film Festival
Traverse City Film Festival
The Traverse City Film Festival is an annual film festival held every late July through early August in Traverse City, Michigan. The festival was created as an annual event in 2005 to help “save one of America's few indigenous art forms—the cinema." The event was co-founded by Michael Moore, the...
.
The film's release in the U.S. was limited, reaching a peak of 84 theaters. Despite being advertised in cinemas in the UK for several months, the film had a very limited release in the UK due to its controversial subject matter. Its gross in the US was $1.5 million, while its worldwide gross totaled $4.5 million.
External links
- Interview with Kevin Bacon about The Woodsman