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Rabbit Hole
| Released |
4 February 2011 |
| Director |
John Cameron Mitchell |
Starring
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Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller, Tammy Blanchard, Sandra Oh |
| Writer(s) |
David Lindsay-Abaire |
Producer(s)
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Nicole Kidman, Gigi Pritzker, Per Saari, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech |
| Origin |
United States |
| Running Time |
91 minutes |
| Genre |
Drama |
| Rating |
15A |
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Down a hole darkly.
Where has Nicole Kidman been since her spine-tingling performance in The Hours? Just when the masses had relegated her to the realm of the jaded starlet who cared more for Botox than her craft, she rises once more to the lofty acting heights inhabited by Winslet et al. Written and performed initially as a play, Rabbit Hole is an honest no-holds-barred look at a family in the aftermath of a debilitating loss. At times witty, unflinching yet wholly original, the laissez-faire style of filmmaking taken by actor-cum-director John Cameron Mitchell perfectly complements the feeling of loss this married couple are living through.
Becca (Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) thought they had it all. A gorgeous house in the suburbs, an energetic four-year old called Danny and a mischievous dog. That was until eight months ago, when this much adored dog ran into the street followed by his loyal companion Danny. Unable to swerve in time, seventeen year old Jason (Miles Teller) ploughs headlong into the little boy and all Becca can do is watch as her life is changed forever. Now in the aftermath of their son's death, time has stopped and this once-happy couple are now merely existing rather than living. While Becca finds pain in the happy memories, Howie cherishes the familiar and their inability to vent their feelings to one another creates a myriad of problems.
Nothing in Rabbit Hole appears colourful or cheerful, the days just appear to linger in one long lazy duration after another. Becca's loving mother Nat (Dianne West) attempts to empathise with her daughter but her overtures are met with hurtful rebuffs, while Becca's pregnant sister Izzy (Tammy Blanchard) serves as a constant reminder of her loss. It is only when she reaches out to Jason and his comic book that Becca finally begins to reconnect with life. The dialogue is at times surprisingly funny which creates a nice dichotomy between the oppressive sense of depression and recrimination and the need to pick up and move on. While the slow drawl type of format to Rabbit Hole may not be to everyone's taste it seems to suit the subject-matter and mimics the sense of this couple slowly falling into a guilt-infested void of longing.
While Kidman is the one winning all the plaudits for her performance as the grieving Becca, Aaron Eckhart is also very believable as the all-American dad who finds solace watching cell-phone footage of his dead son playing on the beach. While they may seem rather an unlikely couple, their chemistry is realistic and their pain heartrending. There is no unfolding drama in Rabbit Hole, the audience are not primed for action, rather we are waiting for Becca and Howie to become attuned to their new life without Danny.
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Louisa McElwee |
