DVD Review: Rabbit Hole

The only way out is through.

All through awards season I got to listen to people rave about Nicole Kidman's performance in this film. It really hyped me up for it because it never came to theaters near me. I felt like I had to wait forever. I'm glad I wasn't the least bit disappointed.

Rabbit Hole follows couple, Howie (Aaron Eckhart) and Becca (Nicole Kidman) who lost their young son eight months prior. His death is never shown, but we are told he chased his dog out into the street and was struck by a car. They are dealing with this in very different ways. Howie wants to remember his son, he wants to see his things all over the house, he attends a group therapy session to help him cope. Becca feels the same way on the inside, but doesn't show it. She's takes his pictures down, gives his clothes to Good Will, lashes out at others without warning. They are slowly pushing each other away. Howie is contemplating an affair, Becca is secretly meeting the boy that accidentally ran her son down.

The performances in this film are so raw, so pure, and so believable. Nicole Kidman earned her Oscar nom, and it's a shame that Aaron Eckhart was overlooked, because his performance was just as powerful. Grief can be a hard thing to capture on film, but both of these actors nailed it perfectly. Besides the strong acting, another thing that really stuck out to me was the score. It was beautiful, like the film. It's hard to call a movie about the death of a child beautiful, but this truly was. We felt the character's pain, and are relieved when we get even a glimpse of them moving on. It's tough subject matter, but worth the watch.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: A-

Memorable Quote: "Then what happens?" - Becca (Nicole Kidman)