We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (2011)

While you read this review, it will become obvious that this film is in stark contrast to the films I’ve done before. More of those are on the way, but I was lucky enough to catch ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’ on TV the other day, and decided I liked it more than enough to post this review. There will be no sarcasm or humor, as my review will reflect the extremely serious subject the film tackles. Not to worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for me to showcase my smart-ass comments in future reviews. For now, ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’.

The film is an adaptation of a novel of the same name, which I have not read but from what I’ve heard it’s quite a compelling- if challenging- read, which as certainly transitioned from page to film. This story follows Eva, the mother of Kevin and wife of Franklin. Although it is never said, Eva appears to develop depression while she is still pregnant with Kevin, with this continuing once he is born. Something is certainly wrong with Kevin, but his father fails to see his disturbing behavior. Kevin develops a much stronger relationship with his Father, seeming to have an immense hate of his mother for reasons we never really find out. We follow Eva in her extremely unstable emotional state at different stages of her life with Kevin. We know he has done something terrible, and the film shows how this has affected his mother, the people that where involved in the incident and the people in Eva’s life after this tragedy.

Tilda Swinton as Eva (left) and John C. Reilly as Franklin (right).

 ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’ is by no means a feel-good movie; its quite the opposite, making you feel the grief and frustration of Eva throughout this ordeal. A profoundly disturbing atmosphere is established from the first frame, and this doesn’t let up in the slightest throughout the films duration. The colour red is used subtly and symbolically several times-particularly through lighting- and really set the seed in my mind about what Kevin may have done. Sound effects, country songs, an out of sequence time line and a combination of lingering shots and slightly blurred visuals give the entire movie a strong sense of loss, confusion and horror. Symbolism is used frequently, as is juxtaposition between songs and visuals to great effect. These elements, among others, are integrated extremely well and contribute to the aforementioned emotions being instilled in the audience. We feel Eva’s frustration towards Kevin, towards the sideways stares of strangers and towards her husband who seems completely oblivious to her depressive state and Kevin’s more than odd behavior.

Ezra Miller playing the constantly creepy Kevin.
Every single actor does an outstanding job, especially Tilda Swinton as Eva, Ezra Miller as a teenage Kevin and Jasper Newell who does almost TOO good a job as Kevin aged 6-8. We know something is wrong with Kevin, we know he has done something terrible, and there is a conflict of interest that the film-makers have created in our minds as the audience; we want to find out what Kevin has done, but we are frightened to at the same time. This is greatly assisted in how Kevin’s character is developed as the film progresses. When he was younger, I wanted to say “YOU LITTLE SHIT!” whenever he misbehaved, but once we meet teenage Kevin he has developed into this monster, and that frustration turns to fear; just as it seems to for Eva. There is also a strong sense of irony in the films title. Does anyone ever really talk about Kevin?

Perhaps the first sign something wasn't quite right between Eva and new-born Kevin.

 I did like the film immensely, although I would struggle to say I ‘enjoyed’ it, but the character of the father just seemed to be more frustrating than he needed to be. It’s never really explained why he is so oblivious to Kevin’s actions towards Eva, and it really makes his character extraordinarily unlikable. I’m sure this was the intention, but I feel he could have been used a little more so we could understand why exactly he doesn’t seem to notice the things that eventually lead to Kevin’s terrible act. To a certain extent the last point is true for Eva as well, but seeing as she is the central focus of the film we understand her emotionally much more thoroughly than we do Franklin. Other than that, the film is highly effective, and I’m afraid I can’t say much more at the risk of lessoning the movies impact.

My favourite shot in whole movie. I really think this one shot represents the movie as a whole perfectly.

 Even though it’s not something id usually watch, ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’ had me hooked from its odd opening sequence to its arguably optimistic ending. This is not a film for everyone, not in terms of violence and sexuality- with both being present but not central- but the magnitude of the subject it’s tackling. In a way, the films title could be perceived as us, as a society, needing to talk about these tragedies that are becoming all too prevalent in the news, and for us to considering how hugely it impacts involved individuals and the people around these individuals for the rest of their lives. If any of what has been previously discussed has you interested, I strongly recommend that you check out ‘we need to talk about Kevin’, but be prepared to be challenged.

4.5/5

Recommended classification: 15+ for strong mature/disturbing themes, coarse language, sexual references, violent images and brief sex scenes

The trailer: