Film: Rabbit Hole
Starring: Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge and Australia), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight and Love Happens), and Dianne Wiest (Edward Scissorhands and I Am Sam)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated PG 13)
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 91 minutes
My main motivation for trekking into the brisk, cold December air was to see Nicole Kidman's performance first hand. However, the dramatic Oscar hopeful, Rabbit Hole, offers far more than a one-trick pony.
Set in a present day suburb of New York, Rabbit Hole centers around a young, married couple with a rocky relationship. Nearly eight months have passed, but Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) are still trying to cope with the loss of their only son. After unsuccessful attempts at group meetings and talking with close relatives, the couple acknowledges that something has to change or else it may mean the demise of their marriage. Seeking any sort of comfort and resolution, Becca and Howie go to very different extremes to feel at peace with their son's accidental death.
Nicole Kidman, fresh of a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film, perfectly depicts a struggling mother. Both her and Eckhart feel responsible for their son's death, but playing the blame game gets them nowhere. Filled with numerous intense, dramatic scenes, Rabbit Hole provides the audience with an inspiring story and unquestionable raw, emotional acting. Dianne Wiest also gives a wonderful performance as Becca's mother. She too has lost a child, but almost desperate to differentiate herself from her mother, Kidman brilliantly demonstrates Becca's resentment towards any comparison.
I was aware of the premise prior to viewing the film, and my initial thought was "here comes another slow-paced, depressing drama". However, the young director, John Cameron Mitchell, graces us with a short, but sweet, outlook on the power of forgiveness. Rabbit Hole teaches us that every person grieves differently, but in that grievance, we must learn to accept life for what it is. Nothing is perfect, and nor should we expect it to be. Sometimes we experience trials and tribulations, but how we overcome these difficulties defines who we are. Based on a very popular play, Rabbit Hole also shows us to always look to the future and take initiative. When you're consumed in the past, you're no longer living. The characters Becca and Howie realize this, and they work together beautifully to get back some sort of semblance of a life.
Despite its depressing story, Rabbit Hole actually is an uplifting film. The audience finds itself emotionally invested in the main characters, and at the film's conclusion, you are content with the progress they make. If you are interested in an excellent character piece that flows well, I definitely recommend Rabbit Hole.
Stars: 3 stars out of 4
Starring: Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge and Australia), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight and Love Happens), and Dianne Wiest (Edward Scissorhands and I Am Sam)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated PG 13)
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 91 minutes
My main motivation for trekking into the brisk, cold December air was to see Nicole Kidman's performance first hand. However, the dramatic Oscar hopeful, Rabbit Hole, offers far more than a one-trick pony.
Set in a present day suburb of New York, Rabbit Hole centers around a young, married couple with a rocky relationship. Nearly eight months have passed, but Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) are still trying to cope with the loss of their only son. After unsuccessful attempts at group meetings and talking with close relatives, the couple acknowledges that something has to change or else it may mean the demise of their marriage. Seeking any sort of comfort and resolution, Becca and Howie go to very different extremes to feel at peace with their son's accidental death.
Nicole Kidman, fresh of a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film, perfectly depicts a struggling mother. Both her and Eckhart feel responsible for their son's death, but playing the blame game gets them nowhere. Filled with numerous intense, dramatic scenes, Rabbit Hole provides the audience with an inspiring story and unquestionable raw, emotional acting. Dianne Wiest also gives a wonderful performance as Becca's mother. She too has lost a child, but almost desperate to differentiate herself from her mother, Kidman brilliantly demonstrates Becca's resentment towards any comparison.
I was aware of the premise prior to viewing the film, and my initial thought was "here comes another slow-paced, depressing drama". However, the young director, John Cameron Mitchell, graces us with a short, but sweet, outlook on the power of forgiveness. Rabbit Hole teaches us that every person grieves differently, but in that grievance, we must learn to accept life for what it is. Nothing is perfect, and nor should we expect it to be. Sometimes we experience trials and tribulations, but how we overcome these difficulties defines who we are. Based on a very popular play, Rabbit Hole also shows us to always look to the future and take initiative. When you're consumed in the past, you're no longer living. The characters Becca and Howie realize this, and they work together beautifully to get back some sort of semblance of a life.
Despite its depressing story, Rabbit Hole actually is an uplifting film. The audience finds itself emotionally invested in the main characters, and at the film's conclusion, you are content with the progress they make. If you are interested in an excellent character piece that flows well, I definitely recommend Rabbit Hole.
Stars: 3 stars out of 4
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