REVIEW | We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

Critically acclaimed mostly because of the performance of the surreal- alien-looking Tilda Swinton for her complex role as a mother of an evil son, We Need to Talk About Kevin has also won the approval of Lionel Shriver, the author who penned the novel of the same title: "Stunning...a brilliant adaptation of my novel!"

We Need to Talk About Kevin is the chillingly disturbing story of Kevin, a teenager who went on a killing spree in his local high school. The story is delivered to us in a non-linear narrative through the perspective of Kevin's mother, Eva  (Tilda Swinton). 

The film's starting point is the post-massacre existence of Eva, alone, dazed and ostracized in her small town. Then we are shown fragmented memories of her domestic life prior to the massacre. We get to witness Kevin growing up only through the eyes of the postpartum-suffering Eva, without really knowing who Kevin is outside of her peripheral. The little monster, as soon as he opened his eyes to the world, has probably already sensed his mother's disdain, and so has mapped out a plan to torture her.

We Need to Talk About Kevin is more of a horror flick rather than a psychological analysis of the history of a criminal mind. Kevin was born a monster, the counterpart of Chucky in a realistic setting and loosely based on real-life teen crimes in the U.S. Kevin's evil streak is too fantastical to be validated by his mother's emotional detachment and his father's passivity (John C. Reilley). This is evident by Kevin's dagger looks to his mother even as an infant, as well as the the fact that he can't be that evil as he nonetheless grew up with a loving father and in a safe and comfortable environment.

Directed by Lynn Ramsey and premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Fest, the movie is delivered in an artsy-fartsy way, incorporated with folksy country songs and upbeat tunes, and filled with symbolisms right until the culminating evil act of Kevin, including ample use of red liquid everywhere and tight shots that evoke anxiety, menace, and suspense. In essence, the entire film treatment fools you into believing that Kevin is realistic and not a fantasy. But then again, he is a fantasy despite his familiar crime.

The casting was perfect, and Tilda Swinton's bizzare face blends with the movie's theme-- and she does deliver a credible performance, her infuriating helplessness and depression choking us. But to me, the best performance was by Jasper Newell, the 6-year-old Kevin that you want to slap in the face. The movie is moderately scary, but there were scenes when you will mentally roll your eyes on Kevin's evil looks, so predictable and too acted-out that it could pass off as an SNL skit. However, Kevin will still evoke in you a sort of hatred, that you wish his parents would kill him even before he hits puberty. 

We Need to Talk About Kevin is menacing and disturbing, rather than cover-your-face-with-a-pillow scary. A notable film-making that still deserves your attention.

2.5 out of 5 stars