Walter (Kevin Bacon) returns to his hometown after 12 years in prison and finds that his attempt to start a new life is challenged by the fact that no one welcomes home a pedophile.

He does get a job at a local factory because of the good work he did for the owner’s father awhile back. His brother-in-law Carlos (Benjamin Bratt) is kind of okay with Walter but not with him being around his daughter. Walter’s sister is still hurt by what he did and the healing, if it can take place, has a ways to go. Mary Kay (Eve), a co worker, has an eye for Walter, who comes across first as aloof, and then almost condescending when another co-worker Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick) finds the way to get his attention. Vickie thinks she has done and seen it all ¾ a person who can’t be shocked.

Most films that deal with pedophiles tend to be either silly so that it takes the edge off ("Tadpole"), or so dark that you don’t want to see it ("L.I.E."). Evaluating disturbing behavior is a good way to explain what this film is about. We take an uncomfortable walk in the shoes of a pedophile that wants to reform himself but is not sure if that’s possible. Then there is the viewpoint of the victim, with a scene so powerful it makes the movie. Also enlightening are the points of view of those who know this person as a pedophile and how they react to him; as a relative, a police officer, a co-worker or a lover.

"The Woodsman" has entertainment value that stands on its own, but for anyone where sexual child abuse is an issue this film will be therapeutic. We are pleased to see this subject addressed without sensationalism or didactic dialogue, and the characters are portrayed by well-known actors, willing to step out of their safe roles and do something a little risky.