Woodsman, The

Aroview: Controversial, though convincingly rounded and serious drama which follows the attempts of a convicted paedophile (Bacon) to rebuild his life in a dreary suburb in the American midwest upon his release from prison after 12 years.

As well as dealing with the difficulties of lynch mobs in waiting, suspicious workmates and a tough parole officer, Bacon struggles with his own demons of self-loathing, repeatedly asking the question 'will I ever be normal?' Whether he actually is seeking normality becomes just one of the disturbing subtexts of this unsettling study, which although never offering sympathy for its protagonist, gives a fairly honest account. A brave debut for dir. Kassell, this was originally taken from a stageplay by Steven Fechter.

NZ International Film Festival 2005

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