photo © 2010 Tony Shek | more info (via: Wylio)Based on the award-winning stage play about a couple dealing with the loss of a child, Rabbit Hole is an exquisitely acted, expertly told film adaptation. Going into this Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart film, I expected to appreciate the performances, but worried that the movie would suffer the same ill-transition from stage-to-screen that happen to so many plays and musicals. I haven't seen the play, but from what I've read, I'm not alone in loving this movie.
The film centers on a relatively young couple, Becca and Howie, who are going through the day-to-day grind trying to deal with the death of their young son eight months prior. They both cope in their different ways. Becca is trying to erase all traces of their late son, while Howie tries to preserve his memory. These different coping mechanisms lead to tension, stress, and disconnection for the couple. A chance encounter with the accidental killer of their son also throws some interesting drama into the mix. In addition to the great leads, Diane Wiest turns in an excellent performance as Becca's supportive, grieving mother.
One thing I feared was that this movie was going to be too dark to enjoy at all. While it's not a feel-good film, it definitely has a lot worth thinking about, and was much more uplifting than I thought it would be. The scenarios are mostly believable, and the dialog is as real as it comes. With one minor flaw, this is a near-perfect drama. I would give it an 8.5 out of 10.
Parental Take: A few strong instances of profanity and the dark subject matter should keep young children away.
If You Like Rabbit Hole Try: The pace of this movie reminded me of Michelle Pfeiffer's The Deep End of the Ocean. It's a movie about reuniting with a child who was kidnapped years earlier. Both movies strike the same sort of emotional chord.
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