Comprehensive information and links about The Woodsman

The Woodsman is a 2004 film directed by Nicole Kassell. It was nominated for the "Grand Jury Prize" award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and was a featured film at the 2005 Traverse City Film Festival.

After twelve years in prison, Walter (Kevin Bacon) arrives in an unnamed city, moves into a small apartment across the street from an elementary school, gets a job at a lumber mill, and mostly keeps to himself. A quiet, guarded man, Walter finds unexpected solace from Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick), a tough-talking woman who promises not to judge him for his history.

But Walter cannot escape his past. Walter is a pedophile. Walter is warily eyed by his brother-in-law, shunned by his sister, lives in fear of being discovered at work, and is hounded by a suspicious local police officer, Detective Lucas (Mos Def). After befriending a young girl in a neighbourhood park, Walter must also grapple with the terrible prospect of his own reawakened demons.

Trivia

The movie was shot in Philadelphia, which is the hometown of cast members Kevin Bacon, and Eve, as well as the birthplace of director Nicole Kassell. Kevin Bacon wanted to speak with a thicker Philadelphia accent than he usually has, because he thought it was essential to the character of Walter.

The girls who Walter was attracted to and molested were between the ages of 10 and 12, which is considered to be prepubescent, although some 12 year old girls look like adolescents. Therefore one could conclude that he is a pedophile based on the fact that 10 and 11 year old girls are usually prepubescent, and so are many 12 year old girls. It seems inaccurate to describe Walter as an ephebophile considering that he wasn't attracted to girls older than 12.