This is an interesting and disturbing film. It is about a family with a son, Kevin, who goes to school and kills people when he is just shy of 16. Kevin's mom, played by Tilda Swinton, knows that something is wrong with Kevin, but can never get her husband, played by John C. Reilly, to believe her. The acting is superb. I was particularly blown away by Jasper Newell, who plays Kevin at around 8 or so.
The problem with this movie for me was the tone. The use of occasional humor (religious people knocking at the door and asking if the mom knows where she is spending the afterlife) and a folk music soundtrack did not work for me. The tension in this movie was appropriate, and should have been left as it was. The story was told primarily in flashbacks, which the camera focused on Kevin smashing cereal or picking at a scar. These images disturbed and were effective, but the over-riding banjo music did not fit.
I would still recommend if you can handle the topic. Although the whole movie is off, the acting is top notch.
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