Rabbit Hole Review

         Have you ever had that feeling of being surrounded by so much bleakness that when you get some tiny “light at the end of the tunnel” you feel as though you have finally reached the end of the rainbow?  This is Rabbit Hole in a nutshell.

         Rabbit Hole (which is based off of the 2005 play of the same name and is being released in New York and Los Angeles tomorrow) follows a couple (Nicole Kidman & Aaron Eckhart) grieving over the loss of their young son after he was killed in a car accident eight months prior to the events of the film.  As the film continues, both individuals try to find solace with the event.

         The film is directed by John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and written by David Lindsay-Abaire (who wrote the play version of the film).  Both are essential in creating the bleak atmosphere of the film and bringing out phenomenal performances from the cast.  Additionally, the final scene is a tour de force in directing and writing.

         The cast is phenomenal and make no mistake that this is an acting film.  Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart are astounding in the lead roles.  Kidman, especially, makes you feel every heartbreak that she suffers throughout the film. However, make no mistake that Eckhart holds his own with Kidman (which was surprising to me because I find that while watching Eckhart in a film trying to inhabit a character you can still see him acting).  Of the supporting cast, Dianne Wiest and Sandra Oh are good as the mother of Nicole Kidman’s character and a possible love interest for Aaron Eckhart’s character respectively.  However, the standout is Miles Teller as a young man with a connection to the car accident.

         Of special note behind the camera are the cinematography (which is very beautiful for such a bleak film) and the score (which perfectly fits the tone of the film and even on its own is one of the better scores of the year).  Otherwise, the rest of the elements of the film are quite average.

         Most memorable of all in this film, was its ending.  Throughout the film, the characters are put through one gut-wrenching event after another. So when these characters (SPOILER ALERT) finally get some catharsis (END SPOILER ALERT), you, as a viewer, can’t help but cry in happiness with them.

         Rabbit Hole is an amazing film that borders on being a masterpiece.  Great direction, a tight script and Nicole Kidman putting on a clinic on great acting make this film stand above most.  

9/10