We Need to Talk About Kevin

Lynne Ramsay's film, based on the titular novel by Lionel Shriver, is a powerful drama about a parent's grief and shame in the wake of a child's unspeakable crime. Tilda Swinton stars as Eva, who moves with chipper husband Franklin (John C. Reilly) from the city to the suburbs when they have a child. Not the naturally mothering type, Eva resents giving up her career, and toddler Kevin proves to be a colicky kid who screams incessantly—except when daddy is around. Kevin grows into a surly tyke who takes perverse pleasure in tormenting his mother while playing the darling with his father. By the time he's a teenager, Kevin (Ezra Miller) has become a frightening figure to Eva while manipulating others into believing that he's a normal—indeed extraordinary—kid. Ramsay lays all of this out in non-chronological fashion, including a timeframe in which Eva is treated as a pariah because Kevin has committed some horrible act. Swinton brings her talent for high-strung intensity to her role, but what really gives the film punch is the chilling performance of Miller, whose unfathomable malice perfectly complements Swinton's tortured incomprehension. Serving up a fearless vision of the more acidic and cruel aspects of the human condition, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew including star Tilda Swinton (27 min.), a conversation with Swinton (18 min.), bonus footage from Spain's famous “La Tomatina” tomato festival (4 min.), an interview with novelist Lionel Shriver (4 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disturbing film.] (F. Swietek)