Chicago International Film Festival 2011
We Need to Talk About Kevin Directed by: Lynne Ramsey Cast: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller Running Time: 1 hr 52 mins Rating: R Release Date: TBD
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PLOT: In We Need to Talk About Kevin, Tilda Swinton plays Eva, a mother who becomes an outcast to everyone around her when her son Kevin (Miller) is at the center of a terrible school tragedy. Her jolly husband Franklin (Reilly), is out of the picture.
WHO'S IT FOR? Fans of Swinton will find more reason to adore her with this movie. Anyone concerned that this will just be another dramatic movie about a school tragedy aftermath will be proven extremely wrong. If you think you can handle such a topic's discussion, this movie is basically a must-see.
OVERALL
We Need to Talk About Kevin does not get into the weepier aspects of dealing with such an emotional burden. It instead goes much deeper into elements of inherent evil, with a title character that is almost over-the-top sinister. Kevin is not a fully realistic character, as he is a negative force in Eva’s world every day of his life. He takes “brat” to a disturbing new level. Yes, expecting him to pull some supernatural, Damien-like shenanigans is out of the question. But comparing him to the same evilness that the “Omen” mascot has brewing inside of him is not.
And concerning the factor of something being disturbing, Ramsey actually maintains a certain distance from the events that are at the center of We Need to Talk About Kevin. Her movie is rarely interested in the gory details, or of the complete emotional implosion that such events would inspire. In confronting the evil that leads to an event, instead of wallowing in the emotional aftermath, We Need to Talk About Kevin may be one of the most powerful movies about such a difficult topic. It will certainly be one of the most powerful movies you’ll see this year.
This movie is a nightmare for parents, and enough to have me seriously considering a vasectomy. The character Kevin shatters so much of what we trust in human beings, and he never stops. Good luck shaking off this pure force of evil.
We Need to Talk About Kevin is a psychological nightmare with unsettling storytelling and performances. This movie will haunt you.
FINAL SCORE: 8/10