This film is very careful not to try under any circumstances to make viewers feel sympathy for the character depicted in it's brutally honest look at a pedophile who does understand that his compulsions are wrong and every minute is spent trying to control them. Walter (Kevin Bacon) is out on parole and gets an apartment at the only place that will take his money but it happens to be across the street from an elementary school playground. He gets a job at a lumberyard because he was kind to the manager's father and while he tries to mind his own business he meets co-worker Vickie (Kyra Sedgwick) and starts to date her.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** Vickie knows that he has a past but doesn't know what it entails but eventually after some prodding Walter tells her that he molested young girls. At first she's horrified and leaves but one day she comes back and she mentions her tough past with her brothers. From his window Walter watches the children and he even notices another pedophile hanging around but he never mentions it to anyone. He gets frequent visits from Sgt. Lucas (Mos Def) who is hostile towards him and keeps telling him that all child molesters end up back in prison. Walter still has a hard time controlling his urges and sometimes finds himself following young girls and one day he strikes up a conversation with Robin (Hannah Pilkes) who subtly mentions something that is happening at home.
This film is directed by Nicole Kassell who makes her debut here and if she continues to tackle subjects as tough as this she'll be one of the most respected filmmakers in no time. The script is based on the play from Steven Fechter and even though changes are inevitable with a transition to the screen it does keep the title characters internal struggle as the focal point. Kassell knew that she had to portray Walter in a totally honest and subjective light otherwise her film would have come under such scrutiny that would ruin any chance of audiences accepting it. The film benefits greatly with the unflinching performance of Bacon who as he gets older is showing audiences that he is an actor willing to take on any role and the best work of his career may yet be seen. Bacon shows us this character in a manner that makes sure viewers will not be sympathetic towards him and instead wants us to see that this person is aware of his demons and that his daily routine consists of attempting to control himself. It's a tough (and I guess brave to some) performance by Bacon and I do think he should be congratulated for what he accomplishes in this role. The only part of the story that seems unclear is why Vickie chooses to remain with him after finding out about his crime. She mentions something about being molested by her brothers while growing up but (excuse my ignorance) it doesn't explain why she decides to remain. This film takes a hard look at a pedophile and the script succeeds at being nothing short of absorbing thanks to the gritty performance of Bacon.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** Vickie knows that he has a past but doesn't know what it entails but eventually after some prodding Walter tells her that he molested young girls. At first she's horrified and leaves but one day she comes back and she mentions her tough past with her brothers. From his window Walter watches the children and he even notices another pedophile hanging around but he never mentions it to anyone. He gets frequent visits from Sgt. Lucas (Mos Def) who is hostile towards him and keeps telling him that all child molesters end up back in prison. Walter still has a hard time controlling his urges and sometimes finds himself following young girls and one day he strikes up a conversation with Robin (Hannah Pilkes) who subtly mentions something that is happening at home.
This film is directed by Nicole Kassell who makes her debut here and if she continues to tackle subjects as tough as this she'll be one of the most respected filmmakers in no time. The script is based on the play from Steven Fechter and even though changes are inevitable with a transition to the screen it does keep the title characters internal struggle as the focal point. Kassell knew that she had to portray Walter in a totally honest and subjective light otherwise her film would have come under such scrutiny that would ruin any chance of audiences accepting it. The film benefits greatly with the unflinching performance of Bacon who as he gets older is showing audiences that he is an actor willing to take on any role and the best work of his career may yet be seen. Bacon shows us this character in a manner that makes sure viewers will not be sympathetic towards him and instead wants us to see that this person is aware of his demons and that his daily routine consists of attempting to control himself. It's a tough (and I guess brave to some) performance by Bacon and I do think he should be congratulated for what he accomplishes in this role. The only part of the story that seems unclear is why Vickie chooses to remain with him after finding out about his crime. She mentions something about being molested by her brothers while growing up but (excuse my ignorance) it doesn't explain why she decides to remain. This film takes a hard look at a pedophile and the script succeeds at being nothing short of absorbing thanks to the gritty performance of Bacon.