Imagine a film that is uplifting and inspiring. We Need To Talk About Kevin is the exact opposite of that, but brilliantly poetic. Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton, Burn After Reading), in a role that will garner much-deserved praise, is Eva, a woman trapped by the knowledge that something is wrong with her son, Kevin (Ezra Miller). From his birth, Eva cannot seem to connect with Kevin even though her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly) establishes a quick bond. Told in parallel with the present, each scene uncovers more about Kevin and the crime he ultimately commits. Easily compared to The Omen, this story could have been a horror film, complete with dark imagery and ominous music, however, everything about it is beautiful, which turns out to be all the more terrifying.
Director Lynne Ramsay (Morvern Callar, Ratcather) co-wrote the screenplay with her husband, Rory Stewart Kinnear, based on the best-selling novel by Lionel Shriver. The book is a series of letters Eva writes to Franklin, so turning it into a feature was no small feat. Told through Eva’s perspective almost exclusively, the film weighs heavily with feelings of being trapped in her thoughts with no hope of escape. Her desperation is only matched by her unbelievable perseverance in emotional attachment to her child.
The film is full of ordinary sounds and noises that take on new meanings when used in conjunction with the extraordinary events. I particularly love the sound of the sprinkler system. 
The sound is used throughout the film very subtly. The color red is also predominant throughout the film, and is present in every scene with Eva. As a notable opposite, Kevin’s room is blue and it’s often the color that he is surrounded by. While Eva is very on-edge, Kevin is quite calm and collected.
All of the young actors portraying Kevin deserve praise. Toddler Kevin, played by Rock Duer, really amazed me. It’s very rare that I’ve seen toddlers solemn and with such deep facial expressions. The same thing can be said of slightly-older Kevin, played by Jasper Newell. This kid had evil written all over him, but could also turn it around and be the sweetest kid in an instance. Ezra Miller’s teenage performance would not be nearly as impactful if the groundwork had not been laid. Together they form a very clear view of a very troubled soul.
Given the subject matter, I’m sure many will shy away from it, and I would think nothing less of them doing so. However, for those willing to go for it, it’s a fantastically tragic story that will stay will you.
Rating: Emotionally exhausting, tragic and beautiful. 10/10
Opens in NY & LA today for an Oscar-qualifying run, then in limited release January 27, 2012.
Recent Comments