But if that's what he's trying to do, I do not know how the director and the producer even raised it. The only character I empathize with and understand is the sister. I do not understand the blonde co-worker. Although short, there is still plenty of film.Bacon is fine, but even if he has that double feeling, what is done is already done. The others are very well. The brother-in-law, whom I do not understand either, has a moment of tension in which he is great.It has a photograph as all independent film uses. White video camera. Nothing special.The address, normal. Bored a little. If it is true to direct a script like that, it has to be difficult because of the connotations it carries.If you have another movie that may sound interesting, do not watch this one.

Kevin Bacon is excellent as Walter, an adult who returns to his hometown after a dozen years in prison. Although we don't know it at first, he's a convicted child molester, who's now doing his best to put his disgusting past behind him. He keeps to himself, trying to live his life in peace. A tough co-worker, Vicki (Kyra Sedgwick, a.k.a. Mrs. Kevin Bacon) who herself has a traumatic past, attempts to make a connection with him. One other person who'll give him the time of day is his brother-in-law Carlos (Benjamin Bratt); the main thorn in his side is a detective named Sergeant Lucas (Mos Def) who subscribes to that theory that "a leopard doesn't change his spots".A film like "The Woodsman" is going to be a hard slog for some people, especially if they've dealt with abuse in any way in their lives. They may find intolerable the idea of a story with a sex offender as the main character, particularly a story where even if the main character isn't treated as sympathetic, he's not demonized either. As we can see, Walter's just trying to live his life, for the most part. He's not exactly "cured", unsurprisingly, as we see him following girls and trying to strike up conversation with a solitary youngster, Robin (Hannah Pilkes). Walter, perhaps fatefully, has found an apartment near a playground, and he can recognize the predatory nature of another local character (Kevin Rice). He also seems to recognize something unnatural about Carlos' affection for his own daughter.Director Nicole Kassell scripted with Steven Fechter, upon whose play this was based. She seldom indulges in any sort of visual flourishes, instead giving the material believability and a gritty reality. She gets low key and compelling performances out of her entire cast. Bacon is extremely well supported by Sedgwick, Mos Def, David Alan Grier and Eve as co-workers, and Michael Shannon as a therapist.The reality of who Walter is as a person is never denied, but in the end you feel like he's turning a corner and a sense of hope is created.Eight out of 10.

The Woodsman is a calm and subtle drama with a simple premise, and an extraordinary execution. The reason the film is so successful is because it allows itself to be humanistic towards its protagonist, despite his unforgettable, demeaning acts. Kevin Bacon plays Walter, a convicted child molester who has just been released on parole after twelve years. He moves into a low rent apartment across the street from an elementary school, which had me raise an eyebrow. Aren't child molesters forbidden to go within "x" amount of feet of a school? No matter. It doesn't play a large role in the film, anyway. Walter gets a job at the neighborhood lumber-mill where he meets the foul-mouthed, yet kind-hearted Vicki, played by Kyra Sedgwick, Bacon's wife. Vicki is one of the only women at the mill, and accepts Walter as a human despite his evil demons. Not only do his personal demons conflict him, but Walter, also, can't seem to escape the doubts and clutches of his parole office, played by Mos Def.This is an wondrous film for a number of reasons. Not only does it care about its protagonist, despite his horrible past, it makes him into a human being. Not a monster. So many films, perhaps those with a larger,more grandiose budget, would've made the character of Walter into an overacting monster who acts on impulse and increasingly appalling idiocy. Thankfully, he is more controlled and supplies more substance than some would believe. The supporting cast is fantastic. Mos Def, a man who has a persona one would think only for comedy films, plays a hard-hitting parole officer well and doesn't provide any type of obtrusive or unwelcome comic relief. Michael Shannon, a woefully underused character actor, also does phenomenal work as Walter's suffering therapist, who is victim to smart remarks and verbal abuse.I think one of the unsung characters in the film is the atmosphere of the city. It's unapologetic and grimy, much like it is in real life. It also adds to the central theme of the film; redemption. Walter is a man that wants to get back out in the work force and keep to himself in the process. The problem is that society refuses to let him pursue that dream of living a quiet life. His actions have proved him to be disgusting and very sick, but also, we can't forget that he is a human, who feels emotions just like we do. Sometimes, that's hard to remember when someone has done something so unforgivable.The Woodsman was directed by Nicole Kassell, a first timer who graduated at NYU. She doesn't beat around the bush, or tries her luck with a bum comedy or a lame drama. She jumps right into controversial material with a terrifically unsettling character played by a marvelous character actor. This is one of those rare instances where a first time director delivers a film better than the work of a professional director. When dissected efficiently, that previous sentence is utterly unbelievable.Starring: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt, Eve, Michael Shannon, and David Alan Grier. Directed by: Nicole Kassell.

American director Nicole Kassell's directorial debut was shot on location in Philadelphia, USA, was written by the director and Steven Fechter and is an adaptation of a play by Steven Fechter. It tells the story about Walter, a convicted child molester who is released from prison after serving thirteen years. In Philadelphia, Walter gets a new apartment near a playground, a new job at a nearby factory and has to see a psychiatrist on a regular basis. Walter's quiet return to society works out fine and at work he comes in contact with a woman named Vicki who he takes a liking to. Walter and Vicki's relationship evolves and takes a romantic turn, but Vicki does not know anything about Walter's history. This subtly and acutely directed psychological drama is a thorough an in-depth study of character about a man in severe conflict with his own consciousness who tries to come to terms with what he has done, possibly find his place in society and reestablish his relationship with his sister. With an austere atmosphere, realistic milieu depictions, straightforward an mindful dialog and a progressive narrative, this quietly paced and character-driven feature film debut conveys an authentic and illuminating portrayal of paedophilia which emphasizes the way other people react towards a paedophile and how that person sees himself and reacts towards his surroundings and the way he is perceived.American actor Kevin Bacon who played a similar role in Barry Levinson's "Sleepers" (1996) has rendered great acting performances in films such as "Murder in the First" (1995), "Digging to China" (1998) and "Mystic River" (2003), but his remarkable acting performance in this multifaceted and against type role where he embodies the character trades of a child molester, is beyond comparison. The chemistry between him and Kyra Sedgwick, who delivers a fine acting performance, is evident in the intimate scenes they share in this overall well-acted, afflicting and challenging independent film.