We Need To Talk About Kevin: Review

02 February 2012 Last Updated on 02 February 2012 Written by David Cantu 1 Comment

Based on the novel by Lionel Shriver, We Need To Talk About Kevin tells the story of a mother (Tilda Swinton) dealing and coping with her sons’ (Ezra Miller) horrible killing spree at his high school as the two year anniversary of the event draws near.

The subject matter of this film is controversial but that’s what makes this film and story powerful. It’s something that could realistically happen to anyone at any given time and we see/hear about it constantly in the media. Alot of the story takes place in flashbacks that show the upbringing of Kevin (Miller) and the way he never formed a bond with his mother. As he grows up you start to see certain little “signs” that Kevin has a problem as well as the way he acts out towards his mother. Even though I knew the conclusion of the film, I was emotionally invested with it enough to want Kevin to change his mind in the end. Alas, that was not the case. The acting in this film was stupendous. Tilda Swinton really blew me away and I think this was one of the best films I’ve seen of hers in recent years. You can definitely see the pain and helplessness in her performance. Ezra Miller is completely believable as a toubled youth. The look in his eyes at certain times in the movie is almost scary. Another great performance was by John C. Reilly. He plays Kevin’s father and is a fresh departure from the comdedic roles we’re used to seeing him in. All in all, this was a great film with a tragic story.