The Woodsman [DVD] [2004]

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Kevin Bacon stars as Walter, a convicted sex offender who has returned to his hometown after 12 years in prison and is attempting to start a new life. He remains guarded but finds solace with Vickie, a tough-talking woman who doesn’t judge him for his past history. But there are those around him who never allow him to escape his past as well as fighting his own inner demons. THE WOODSMAN is a provocative but compelling debut from director Nicole Kassell. Touching on similar themes addressed in L.I.E, and the O-winning Mystic River (which also featured Bacon), the film has provided Bacon with a career best, creating an astounding, moving performance that has earned him universal praise. After twenty years in the business, it is further proof that he has now established himself as a character actor of incredible intensity and versatility. There is also a remarkable support from a sterling cast which includes , Kyra Sedgwick (Mrs Kevin Bacon) (Singles; Born On The Fourth Of July), Benjamin Bratt (Traffic; Clear And Present Danger) and hip-hop artist Mos Def (Monster’s Ball; The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) with hip-hop giant, Damon Dash, on board as executive producer. Tartan’s THE WOODSMAN has enhanced picture quality and comes packed with added extras including a number of cast interviews exclusive to the UK. DVD extras include: Tartan exclusive interviews with Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwich, director Nicole Kassell, and executive producer Damon Dash. Also featuring: deleted scene and extended scenes, ‘Getting it made’ documentary; audio commentary with Nicole Kassell From .co.uk ----------- Kevin Bacon gives one of the best, most nuanced performances of his career in The Woodsman, a daring and thought-provoking drama he co-produced with his wife, Kyra Sedgwick. In portraying a convicted pedophile named Walter, recently released from prison and struggling to rebuild his life, Bacon and writer-director Nicole Kassell (making her feature-film debut) do a remarkable job of exploring all facets of this troubling yet very human character, from his continuing criminal impulses to the despair he feels over having to conceal his horrible past. Sedgwick costars as the one woman who appears willing to accept Walter, secrets and all, and while The Woodsman takes a few regrettable shortcuts in illustrating Walter's quest for the good man he can be, the film deserves to be seen and discussed as a provocative yet admirably humane study of an individual whom society may too quickly label a "monster." The film allows for different interpretations, and that complexity--along with Bacon's performance--makes it worthy of a wide and hopefully understanding audience. --Jeff Shannon, .com