Rabbit Hole (2010)

good back-story, and good acting

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Rabitt Hole is a film that unfortunately will not be recognized by the general audience. This film is not funny, action-packed, or even romantic. What we have is a film completely about grief. This movie is not one for everybody, and some will dismiss it as boring, or simply too depressing to watch. However, it is one of the deepest dramas I have seen. The film displays grief in many ways, instead of just one. You have a character who tries to deal with grief by attempting to do away with the reminders, and one who needs that reminders to cope with the loss. The film tackles with religion, never taking a positive or negative stance, as it portrays someone who rejects religion in the face of grief, and one who embraces it. And as a religious person, I am personally glad they showed both sides. It is a part of dealing with grief no matter which side of the argument you stand on. Also portrayed in this movie is the character who caused the accident with the young boy and we are able to see another manifestation of grief through him: regret. The film is held together by fantastic performances all around. Nicole Kidman does an amazing job as Becca and Aaron Eckhart is equally as fantastic as Howie. Dianne Wiest has a memorable supporting role as Becca's mother whom we discover is dealing with grief as well. Miles Teller also gives a great performance in his role as well. Rabit Hole is a movie that is smart enough to avoid melodrama, while also holding the viewers intrest. It is a simple, deep movie that may not be for the general masses, but is a gem among those who can appreciate a masterfully crafted and realistic portrayal of an uncomfortable subject to discuss. And while the movie doesn't end on a particularly happy note, it does end on a hopeful note, indicating that there is hope amongst the grieving of all the chracters, a message that is all too important to display in a movie like this. This is a movie with a lot to say, but it does it, all while remaining a beautifully simple movie that never feels overstuffed, and is, as a result, impactful.

"Rabbit Hole" is not going to be a movie for everyone. It is "slow" by any standard, there isn't a lot of resolution present, and the tone is quite somber throughout. What the film does feature, however, are some of the best acting performances you will ever see, as well as a unflinching look at grief and how one couple try to cope with it.For a basic plot summary, "Rabbit Hole" focuses on Becca (Nicole Kidman) & Howie (Aaron Eckhart), a couple who lost their young son in a terrible accident. Each try to cope with that grief in their own way, with Becca turning to family--especially mother Nat (Dianne Wiest), who suffered a similar tragedy in the family--even when anger is the usual resolution, and Howie potentially finding solace in new group therapy partner Gabby (Sandra Oh). Becca also even goes so far as to stay in contact with Jason (Miles Teller), the perpetrator of the tragedy. Will they continue to drift apart, though neither of them truly want that to happen, or will they find some way to reconcile their grief and make things work?At some point in everyone's life, they will experience intense grief or a tragedy of some kind. Life makes this almost inevitable. After these tragedies occurs, there usually comes a point where life takes one of two paths: You either fully live within the grief, or you decide to try and move forward, even in small ways. That is what "Rabbit Hole" is all about. Becca & Howie are at that stage where "something needs to happen", yet neither person knows exactly what that is or how they should proceed. This makes for some incredible, emotional, and also rather difficult material throughout the movie.A film like this will either be made or broken by the acting performances, and fortunately they all shine here. In all honesty, this is some of the best acting I have ever seen on screen. Considering that the movie is only about 90-some minutes long, I consider it quite a feat that I was completely and utterly invested in the characters by the end. While it takes a good idea and a good script to do that too, just as much credit should be given to the emotional performances.Like all of us, I have experienced grief both myself and inside my family, and thus I found myself very much relating to what the principals here were going through. Grief is a confusing, sad, and confounding thing, which is why "Rabbit Hole" is so powerful and melancholy at the same time. I found that to be a fascinating and riveting mix.Overall, "Rabbit Hole" won't go down as one of my all-time favorite single films. Its scope isn't big enough for that. What I will remember it for, however, is its ability to accurately and emotional portray a realistic rendering of the grief and mourning process. If you don't mind a slower-paced film, and one filled with often conflicting emotions, "Rabbit Hole" will be a sort of unheralded gem for you to add to your film-watching experience.

Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie Corbett (Aaron Eckhart) are holding it together after their son Danny is killed by teen driver Jason (Miles Teller). Her sister Izzy (Tammy Blanchard) is pregnant with her musician boyfriend. Izzy keeps rejecting her help like Danny's clothes. She's a former executive who feels lost. Tension rises between the couple about how to move on. Emotional eruptions occur especially against her mother Nat (Dianne Wiest). She starts connecting with Jason while Howie finds a confidant in group-participant Gabby (Sandra Oh).It's a bit slow sometimes. A lot of time, the tension exists below the surface until it blows up on the screen. Everybody is putting up a front. There is so much emotional tension that the eruptions actually feel liberating. Some of them bring out a nervous giggle. The acting is big time for everybody. Kidman, Eckhart, Wiest and Teller are all doing exceptional work.

The Rabbit Hole is based on the play by the same name. Oscar winner Nicole Kidman acts and also produced the film. She plays Becca, a mother grieving the loss of her four year old son. Her husband Howie is played well by Aaron Eckhart. Dianne Weist plays a grieving grandmother and mother. Becca and Howie have to cope and survive with life after their loss. The performances here are all done by professional actors and actresses. The film is a low budget project where characters are more important than special effects. Filmed surprisingly on location in New York City and Queens, the film tells a story of surviving and baby steps to getting forward.