MCN: The Woodsman

How does a man overcome his attraction to young girls? How does he cure himself of this obsession and build a new life after being branded a pedophile? Director Nicole Kassell's astonishing first feature, The Woodsman, handles this contentious subject with confidence, precision, and optimism.

After 12 years in prison, Walter (Kevin Bacon) returns to his hometown to try and start a new life. He lands a job in a woodyard, meets Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick), and begins a sweet and surprising romance. His brother-in-law (Benjamin Bratt) greets him with open arms and helps set him up in his new apartment. But it is up to Walter to overcome what has plagued him for years. And even if he means well, under the scrutinizing eye of Mary Kay (Eve), the woodyard secretary, and Detective Lucas (Mos Def), one wrong move could cost him everything.

Kassell beautifully visualizes her tender and meticulously crafted script while eliciting fantastic performances from her talented cast. Brave, thoroughly confident, and accomplished, The Woodsman demonstrates a mastery that is astounding for a first effort. — Shari Frilot
- Sundance Film Catalog

The
Woodsman
Director: Nicole Kassell
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Country: USA
Year: 2003
Time: 85 minutes

Variety: A stunningly crafted work from first-time featurefeature director Nicole Kassell, "The Woodsman" is a sober, penetrating account of a pedophile struggling to overcome his sexual attraction to young girls and construct a normal life. Avoiding black and white moral ground for a more complex, compassionate view, this unsettling yet redemptive drama depicts its protagonist as a man in a cage, as much a victim as an architect of his obsession. While the dark subject matter presents a significant marketing challenge, strong critical response and Kevin BaconKevin Bacon's haunting performance should help this powerful film find an audience.

1/22/04
Sundance: Newmarket Gets The Woodsman

1/21/04
The Woodsman: Great Movie. Hard Sell.

1/20/04
Scary Guy

7/31/03
Bacon Goes Bad

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Cast - Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Benjamin Bratt, Mos Def, Eve, Michael Shannon, David Alan Grier
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Screenwriters - Nicole Kassell,
Steven Fechter
Executive Producers - Damon Dash, Kevin Bacon, Brook and Dawn Lenfest
Producer - Lee Daniels
Coproducers - Lisa Cortés, Valerie Hoffman, Dave Robinson
Cinematographer - Xavier Pérez Grobet
Editors - Brian A. Kates, Lisa Fruchtman