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If you like dark films with an independent streak, then you are bound to enjoy <i>We Need to Talk About Kevin</i>.  The film is based on a book by the same name penned by Lionel Shriver (nee Margaret Ann Shriver).  I was particularly interested in this film because Shriver is a fellow Carolinian.  While her book takes the form of letters, the film uses vignettes to create the same effect.  The process gives the viewer glimpses into a story that slowly evolves as we put the pieces together. 

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<i>We Need To Talk About Kevin</i> is told from the perspective of Kevin&rsquo;s mother, Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton), whose sporadic memories splice together into an intriguingly dark story.  When we meet her, she appears to be pulling her life together from fragments that indicate she is a pariah.  We wonder what skeleton in her closet has led to her house being splattered in red paint.  We wonder how she went from an apparently comfortable lifestyle to working in a low rent travel agency.  Her memories form the shell of story that creeps forward from an unwanted pregnancy. <br> <br> Eva&rsquo;s pregnancy resulted in the birth of a boy named Kevin (Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell, Rock Duer).  Eva has an unbearable relationship with Kevin that is strained from birth.  This strikes her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly) as odd, since Kevin appears to be the perfect child when he is around.  As Kevin grows older, he becomes locked into a battle of wills with Eva, creating emotionally draining consequences.  He is eventually joined by a younger sister, Celia (Ashley Gerasamovich).  Celia seems to idolize Kevin even though he treats her like dirt.  Celia and Eva have a comfortable relationship.  When Eva expresses her concerns about Kevin with Franklin, her complaints fall on deaf ears.  Franklin is convinced that the conflict is in Eva&rsquo;s own head.  Kevin&rsquo;s warning signs are ignored with fatal consequence. 

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I found the characters to be intriguing, although the strained relationship was tedious at times.  I initially felt that the childhood Kevin was exaggerated.  The actions of this child seemed unrealistic at times.  When I considered that these events were being recalled by Eva it made more sense.  I believe that the portrayal was being presented from Eva&rsquo;s perspective which may have included her own perceptions (hence the exaggeration).  The use of vignettes was effective at building suspense but also seemed to bog down at times.  The film felt slow and labored in some sequences.  Even when the pacing made me wiggle in my seat, I was still held by the dark undercurrents of the film.  The story was also a tad bit predictable, but it was like watching a train wreck.  The story was in the telling.  I found I enjoyed it in spite of the pacing and predictability.

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Tilda Swinton was awesome as Eva.  Her performance surprised me.  Her performance was essential to the success of this film.  Her frustration and impatience was palpable at times.  I felt her aggravation effectively, which is a tribute to her incredible skill.  Without the tension she created, the pacing of this film would have lost me.  Reilly is a great actor.  I am glad, for a guy who lacks George Clooney looks, it is nice to see him getting plenty of work.  He is far more talented than Clooney.  Hollywood has a tendency to be superficial, so I am glad when guys like Reilly or Giamatti get the work their talent deserves.  The two older actors that portrayed Kevin also did an excellent job.  Miller and Newell both conveyed a disturbing darkness that would have made me sleep with one eye open.  Great casting helped this sluggish film tremendously. 

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<i>We Need To Talk About Kevin</i> received a well-deserved R rating from the MPAA.  This dark film was probably a bit deep for younger teens.  The subject matter is dark, violent and disturbing.  The subject has a &ldquo;Columbine&rdquo; type of depth that may be a lot for young viewers to process.  The film also includes strong language, actual violence (somewhat graphic) and some sensuality.  The adult themes are limited and have limited nudity in low lighting.  The violence and the angle it takes in this film is, by far, the most disturbing aspect of the movie.  I would limit viewing to at least a mid-teen audience. <br> <br> If you like dark films and can handle the disturbing subject matter then <i>We Need To Talk About Kevin</i> may be a film you enjoy.  The choppy nature of the scenes allows viewers to begin piecing together the story in a gumshoe manner.  Swinton&rsquo;s performance adds a dimension of suspense that helped this film reach a crescendo in spite of the sluggish pacing.  While it was tediously slow at times, I was riveted by Swinton&rsquo;s performance (as well as the actors portraying Kevin).  The subject matter is dark, but handled efficiently.  There is enough gore factor and delicate subject matter to deserve the R rating, so younger teens may not be right for this film.  8/10. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLRgAe2jLaw