Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

We Need to Talk About Kevin
2011
****
Director: Lynne Ramsey
Cast: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell, Ashley Gerasimovich, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Alex Manette

Kevin looks to have been born evil. Growing up, the boy acts sweet around his dad, but takes particular pleasure in making his mom suffer. Kevin's final act of cruelty reveals his true nature. The story unfolds in intriguing flashbacks, as Eva, now a human wreck consumed by guilt and shame, looks back and attempts to understand what, if anything, she could have done differently with her son. As the story focuses purely on Kevin and his mom, the successive scenes of emotional violence between the two become a bit predictable, and Eva's marriage or her lonely crusade against the overwhelming circumstances never feel entirely credible. Nevertheless, these minor gripes aside, this is a very captivating drama which rather disturbingly suggests that mother's love is an overrated concept. Tilda Swinton gives a towering performance in the lead. Adapted from Lionel Shriver's novel, which described the events in the form of letters.