Film: We Need to Talk About Kevin
Starring: Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton), John C. Reilly (Cedar Rapids), and Ezra Miller (City Island)
Director: Lynne Ramsay (Morvern Callar)
U.S. Release: December 9th, 2011 (Limited - Rated R)
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Runtime: 112 minutes
Ironically, since its debut at the Cannes Festival in France, We Need to Talk About Kevin has been the film everyone's talking about. In retrospect, director Lynne Ramsay's 9 year hiatus seems perfectly calculated, much like the actions of the movie's title character Kevin. The film, which is based on a 2003 novel of the same name, has officially been in the works since 2005. Sometimes, good things are worth the wait.
We Need to Talk About Kevin follows Eva (played by Swinton), the mother of a teenage boy who executes a brutal massacre at his high school. From a very early age, Eva senses something distinctly off with her first born child Kevin (played by Miller). As the years pass, Kevin's actions become more and more destructive. Eva tries to confide in her husband Franklin (played by Reilly), yet he wants no part of it. "He's a sweet boy" replies Franklin. Therefore, from the moment Kevin orchestrates a killing spree at his school, Eva spends her life bearing responsibility for the tragedy. She lives with the guilt of knowing she never did enough to stop the ordeal from happening.
Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton leads a phenomenal cast in one of 2011's most explosive films. The actress is spot on in her role as an emotionally drained mother coping with a tremendous amount of grief and regret. The beauty behind We Need to Talk About Kevin rests in the psychology of its lead character Eva. As Swinton demonstrates perfectly, Eva's guilt stems from two different places. First, she feels responsible for not stopping the monster she has known existed since Kevin was a child. Also, Eva sees far too much of herself in her son. All of her darkest qualities are brought out by Kevin and, as a result, she welcomes the abuse delivered by her community after the tragic events transpire. Such a brutally honest portrayal should land Swinton a Best Actress nod at the Oscars, anything less is unwarranted. In addition to Swinton, Ezra Miller gives a fantastic performance as Kevin. Miller is remarkable in his role as a cold and cynical teenager. He takes command of every scene and it culminates in a spine chilling experience. We Need to Talk About Kevin succeeds, in large part, because of its amazing cast.
Lynne Ramsay does a spectacular job of masterminding an intense psychological thriller. The film creates an obsession for the audience, a desperate desire to know why Kevin has done what he's done. All of this intrigue makes for a thought provoking movie experience. In a clever fashion, Ramsay gives enough scattered pieces of the puzzle to allow the viewer to put it all together. We Need to Talk About Kevin is wonderfully crafted and brilliantly executed. Therefore, it's hands down one of the best films of the year.
As always, there will be a few naysayers and skeptics. Many will argue that the actions exemplified in Kevin's early years are unrealistic and unbelievable. The young boy illustrates a stunning amount of understanding throughout his childhood. To me, however, this only strengthens the story and solidifies its authenticity. You should never take for granted the intelligence of children. And although the film progresses slowly, We Need to Talk About Kevin constantly builds in intensity and you'll never want to peel your eyes from the screen.
Not due for a wide release in the United States until the end of January, We Need to Talk About Kevin can be seen in Los Angeles and New York City this week only. But once the film hits theatres all across the nation, it's a must see. And even though the movie revolves around a high school massacre, much of the violence is left to the imagination. Therefore, no excuse is good enough to miss this film.
Stars: 3 and a half stars out of 4
Grade: A-
"As always, there will be a few naysayers and skeptics. Many will argue that the actions exemplified in Kevin's early years are unrealistic and unbelievable. The young boy illustrates a stunning amount of understanding throughout his childhood."
ReplyDeleteThen these critics don't know what it is like to raise a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or FASD. The child's frontal lobes have been compromised through neglect, abuse or alcohol use (not just alcohol abuse). When the brains of these children are compared with the brains of adults, their brains most resemble the brains of sociopaths. There is no empathy... The children can be clearly disturbed, or be the most charming people you'll ever meet, but they rarely form bonds with their primary caregivers/parents and treat people like toys. This may sound unbelievable, but to see a child, a toddler (2 or 3 years old) with "darkness behind their eyes" will change most of what you know, or think you know of children. Having dealt with a plethora of children in the foster-care system who are suffering from FASD or RAD, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is far from the imagination.
I've talked to a few other viewers of the film who felt that Kevin's detatchment and vindictive nature at such an early age was portrayed in a completely overblown and unrealistic fashion. A major aspect of the movie is being able to buy into Kevin's character, so thank you for validating its claim. I take it you have seen the film? If so, what were your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteAs a mother raising an adopted daughter with RAD (reactive attachment disorder) the mother's character in the film resonated with me tremendously. Our daughter came to us from China at age one year. She had been severely neglected. She spent approx the first four years screaming at us unless there were strangers around and she would hit myself and six year old daughter every chance she got. Yet was all smiles when Daddy came home and was extremely charming around strangers. No one believed us and I thought I was going insane until I learned how to help her. Fortunately my husband got on board quickly (and subsequently also became a victim of abuse when he could no longer be manipulated). Our daughter's violence against us continued to escalate. She gave me black eyes, innumerable cuts and bruises, smashed her arms through windows and daily flipped furniture and smashed things. I never thought such a young child could be capable of such anger and destruction until I lived it and because she was so charming around everyone else, I could not have felt more isolated. Fortunately the hands on therapy and specifically equine therapy and keeping her world small and routine has helped her heal tremendously and she is "almost" a normal, healthy eleven year old who has made significant progress in verbalizing her anger and fears. (although triggers do remain). There is hope for these kids but families have to be believed and supported and BOTH parents need to learn as much as possible about RAD and be consistent in their support of each other. We were lucky to act on the signs early, but our child could have easily been a "Kevin."
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