Neal Vitale Reviews: We Need To Talk About Kevin

4 stars out of 5

British filmmaker Lynne Ramsey (Ratcatcher) has made a strong movie that is often difficult to watch but also chilling and provocative. We Need To Talk About Kevin tells the story of a young family where the oldest child is a sociopath; the film is sometimes confusingly non-linear, flashing forward and back, and often quite beautiful in a cool, intense fashion. Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) is the mother, and the awkwardness, reluctance, and frustrations of her character are palpable and disquieting. It is an impressive if opaque performance, and it suffuses the film with an edginess that is riveting.