We begin our December programme with BAFTA-winning director Lynne Ramsey's superb adaptation of Lionel Schriver's bestseller We Need To Talk About Kevin. Starring the imcomparable Tilda Swinton alongside John C. Reilly (yes, he's not in a Will Ferrell comedy for a change) and relative newcomer Ezra Miller as Kevin, this suspenseful and gripping psychlogical thriller explores the contentious relationship between a mother and her son. Eva (Swinton) develops a growing post-natal depression and hatred for her first born child Kevin, a troublesome boy, who at 15 commits the most unspeakable crime by going on a high school kiling spree. Trying to come to terms with her grief she begins to question her feelings of responsibility for her son's evil actions.
Tackling 'nature vs. nurture' in a completely new way, the film, which premiered 'In Competition' at this year's Cannes Film Festival, is already set to be in the majority of film critcs' best of 2011 lists, with Radio 5 Live's Mark Kermode naming it as his best film of the year so far. Whilst certainly not an easy watch (or read, if you're familiar with the novel) this is still a fantastic piece of cinematic work providing both a masterful synergy of drama and horror and featuring fantastic performances from the whole cast, none more so than Tilda Swinton, in what is undoubtedly a career best.
Take a look at the trailer HERE and keep visiting this blog where we will be posting regular features on this and all other films in our December programme (and beyond!).
We Need To Talk About Kevin (15) runs from Friday 2nd December - Thursday 8th December.