Product Description

Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def Kevin Bacon, an indispensable fixture of American cinema over the past 20 years, delivers his finest performance in The Woodsman, a harrowing and moving tale of one man's attempt to re-enter society. After twelve years in prison, Walter (BACON) arrives in an unnamed city 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. A convicted sex offender, Walter is warily eyed by his brother-in-law (BENJAMIN BRATT), 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). Walter cannot escape his past but he has a chance to avoid what many believe will be his inevitable future. The Woodsman is an unnerving, ultimately hopeful portrait of compulsion and hard-won redemption with a central performance that has united critics and viewers alike in praise and admiration.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9658 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-10-16
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 83 minutes

Synopsis
With a 12-year prison stretch reaching an end, convicted paedophile Walter (Kevin Bacon) faces an uncertain walk back into the free world in THE WOODSMAN. Attempting to keep his previous indiscretions sheltered from prying eyes, Walter tries to piece together his shattered life by finding a job and an apartment. The first task is relatively simple, with the ex-con finding employment at a lumberyard thanks to his natural talent for woodcraft. An apartment comes less easily, but Walter manages to secure a roof over his head in a building, which--in a cruel twist of irony--is located opposite an elementary school. Walter's brother-in-law Carlos (Benjamin Bratt) remains the only member of his family willing to keep in contact with him; his sister refuses all communication. Meanwhile, Sgt. Lucas (Mos Def) keeps a watchful eye over Walter's activities, while Walter makes faltering strides towards romance with his tough-as-nails co-worker, Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick). But as wary neighbours steel worried glances and make small-town gossip about him, Walter finds it inordinately difficult to keep his past life a secret. For this reformed character, the path to redemption comes strewn with cracked paving stones, which need to be carefully navigated with every tentative step he takes.


The sensitivity with which the material in THE WOODSMAN is executed derives from a potent mix of intelligently written source material, wonderful performances (with Bacon in particular putting in a career-defining turn), and an authoritative vision from director Nicole Kassell (THE GREEN HOUR). At the heart of the movie lies a desolate character, guilty of a crime shrouded in taboo, but hoping against all reason that society will accord him a modicum of absolution. A fascinating portrait of a life caught in a state of perpetual turmoil, this is an audacious second feature from Kassell.

About the Actor
Kevin Bacon's early training as an actor came from The Manning Street debut as the strict Chip Diller in Animal House (1978) almost seems like an inside joke, but he managed to escape almost unnoticed from that role. Diner (1982) became the turning point after a couple of TV-series and a number of less than memorable movie roles. In a cast of soon to be stars he more than held his end up, and we saw a glimpse of the real lunatic image of The Bacon. He also starred in Footloose (1984), She's Having a Baby (1988), with Fred Ward in Tremors (1990), Flatliners (1990) and in Apollo 13 (1995).