We
Need to Talk About Kevin is a 2011 film based on Lionel Shriver’s
best-selling book. I still haven’t got round to reading the novel, but I’ve
long been intrigued by the way Shriver ‘broke through’ as an author after
publishing half a dozen books which made (relatively) little impact. She’s
indicated that this isn’t because her best-seller was necessarily a much better
book than its predecessors, but rather because her story-line just happened to
capture public attention at the right moment. In the first place, the book’s reputation
spread by word of mouth, always a powerful recommendation.
The film stars Tilda Swinton, whom I’ve seen in one or
two less than engrossing movies over the years. Here, though, she is at her
very best, playing the part of Eva, mother of Kevin, who turns into a spree
killer. The film charts the troubled relationship between mother and son in an unflinching
way, and the switches between past and present are handled much more
effectively than is often the way.
Kevin takes pleasure in hurting others, and it becomes increasingly
clear that he is capable of inflicting appalling cruelty. His father is
complacent, but Eva’s slowly growing horror as she becomes more and more clear
about her son’s true nature is skilfully portrayed.
Most people, including me, struggle to understand what
motivates a spree killer such as Kevin. We find their mass murders appalling,
but it is almost impossible to know for sure how further outrages – the
Colorado killings are a recent example – can be prevented. Gun control is a big
issue in the US, of course, but even the UK’s post-Dunblane society is not
immune from these terrible tragedies, which so often end up with the killer
dead as well as his victims, as with the horrific murder spree of Derrick Bird
in Cumbria a couple of years ago. This film, and no doubt the book, offers no
easy answers, but the portrayal of Kevin and his family background still struck
me as insightful, as well as chilling.
8 comments:
Martin - You are right that there are no easy answers to why and how such killer evolve and what makes them commit their crimes. How to prevent such crimes is an even more difficult question to answer. I've heard very good things about this film and I'm glad you found it well-done.
The book is terrific, and I think I can say truthfully that it isn't the sensationalistic aspects that drew me to it. It has a wonderful narrative voice that just pulls you right in.
And I think it also has the merit of explaining nothing but the unique circumstance of its own story.
Sorry, Ms Shriver, but I beg to differ. Kevin is a better book than your earlier ones by a considerable margin. Double Fault, for instance, is a terrible book and I for one would quite like to hear you own that!
Kevin is a masterful and manipulative novel, but one that ultimately lacks a heart. I haven't seen the film, so it was interesting to read this, thank you, Martin.
I don't mean to be a negative Nelly but I absolutely hated the book. The author kept repeating statistics over and over as if to say "look how clever I am, look how much research I've done". After awhile the emotional impact was lost. Each of these acts is horrible and somehow, including in the book seemed to cheapen them.
I didn't know a movie had been made out of the book. I'm not sure I'd watch it. Thanks for the review, I enjoy reading them.
Hi Martin,
That was quiet a disturbing film - very well played by all.
It's a pity they never did get to talk about Kevin. Instead they had those small arguments that parents have before dropping it once again.
Seth
Been afraid to read or see the movie. Too close to what goes on every day now.
Thanks, Margot, it's a film well worth watching.
Seana, very good point about the merit of explaining nothing, which in other stories would drive me crazy, but here is quite right.
Sarah, Melissa, LQQ, many thanks. I will read the book one of these days - but there are others on the list to come first.
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