The Woodsman

Kevin Bacon plays a convicted paedophile struggling with life after prison in The Woodsman.

Herald rating: ***


Walter (Kevin Bacon) is back in the world after 12 years behind bars. We don't know what he did. He takes an apartment across the road from a school playground - the only place he can find where the landlord will rent to a man with a record - and sets about rebuilding his life.

He gets a job in a timber yard. The rest of the workers don't know about his past. One, Mary-Kay (Eve) picks up something she doesn't like. His probation officer, Sergeant Lucas (Mos Def), is convinced Walter will lose his way.

It's not all bad. Another woman at the timber yard, Vickie the forklift operator (Kyra Sedgwick), takes a shine to him. They date - and Walter tells her the truth about his past. He is a paedophile. When Mary-Kay finds out, she broadcasts the news on a website.

Nicole Kassell, the director and co-writer with Steven Fechter, who wrote the original play, doesn't seek to exploit, preach, judge. She simply wants to portray a situation that has become all too common in our society and observes Mr and Ms Everyday's reactions to being inside that situation.

She has no sympathy for Walter or his crimes. You may feel pity for him - but only for a flicker. The monster will return and may even re-offend.

On the disc Kassell offers a provocative commentary, while producer Lee Daniel (Monster's Ball) traces the story from stage to screen. There are three deleted scenes.

* DVD, Video rental out now