Keswick Film Festival

Sunday 16th October 5:00 PM

The Woodsman

Director: Nicole Kassell Country: USA
Cert: 15 Year: 2004 Length: 87 mins
Autumn 2005

Audience Reaction

Score: 81.25% Attendance: 65

Reviews

Links

A remarkably assured first film by Nicole Kassell, The Woodsman treats a sensational subject in a resolutely unsensational way, and proves yet again what a fine and subtle actor Kevin Bacon is. He plays a paedophile trying to build a new life after being released from prison after 12 years.

He is well supported by Kyra Sedgwick (also Mrs Bacon - here's a couple whose chemistry shows up on screen) and Mos Def is outstanding as a cynical parole officer expecting Bacon to re-offend again. The film makes it clear that this is a possibility, while also showing us a man who is not a monster but twisted by sexual urges most of us don't feel. The film, taken from Stephen Fechter's play, allows Bacon a surprising and controversial kind of redemption. Overall it's a thoughtful and resonant piece of work.

Rob Mackie, The Guardian





Supported by Film Hub North, led by Showroom Workstation. Proud to be part of the BFI Film Audience Network

Film Hub North BFI Film Audience Network