The world is a minefield for Becca (Nicole Kidman), a grieving mother so on edge that almost anything sets her off. When another mom at a support group says, “God must’ve wanted another angel,” Becca walks out.
Grief crosses unexpected and even delightful territory in Rabbit Hole, a drama about a mother and father mourning the loss of their son. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play by David Lindsay-Abaire, it was written by the playwright and director John Cameron Mitchell.
Fascinating from start to finish, Rabbit Hole is a deep and humbling look at loss. Becca tries to make sense of life in unique ways that sometimes seem alarming and even bizarre.
Everything is about healing in Becca’s world. She plants flowers in neat rows. She avoids dinners with neighbors that might upset her. One morning she decides it’s time to remove Danny’s watercolors from the refrigerator door, to the chagrin of her husband Howie (Aaron Eckhart). It’s been eight months since their four-year-old ran out into the street after their dog.
Finally Becca recognizes Jason (Miles Teller), the teenager who was driving the car that hit her son. She begins to follow his school bus, making sure he gets home safely. She imagines who Danny would have become. Jason confronts Becca at the library one day, and the two begin to spend time together at a local park. Becca checks out the book Jason had been reading, Parallel Universes.
Clichés are sidestepped in Rabbit Hole. Becca does not blame Jason. No one is a villain in this tragedy, yet everyone has been marked and transformed by it. The two sit side by side on a park bench, gazing around, exchanging words.
Art – in this case comic book art – helps them transcend sorrow. Jason creates his drawings with M.C. Escher-like, infinite patterns. From each “rabbit hole” pop three faces. Some are angry, some are serene. One face disappears, only to reappear. Becca is fascinated. She tells Jason one day, “Somewhere, I’m happy.” After the worst tragedy of her life, she looks to other levels of truth.
How will Becca and Howie’s marriage survive? He wants to have another child. She wants to sell their home. They scream at each other. While Becca retreats into her own world, Howie continues to attend the support group. Howie befriends a mother there (excellent Sandra Oh). They park in the high school lot, smoking pot and giggling at nothing.
When Becca’s sister Izzy (Tammy Blanchard) becomes pregnant, Becca smiles wanly and congratulates her. Often, her words betray her real feelings. Izzy confronts Becca one day as the two receive pedicures. Giancarlo Esposito portrays Izzy’s sympathetic partner.
Amazingly, quiet humor emerges in the film. Becca bursts into tears when she spies Jason going to his first prom with a carload of high school friends. Mitchell's direction is nuanced and lovely.
Master actor Dianne Wiest is grating and oddly comforting as Becca’s mother. Nat learns to tiptoe around Becca’s “rules.” For example, she can mention the loss of her adult son (who overdosed on heroin), but never compare him to the sainted Danny.
Nicole Kidman is at her career best in this complex, demanding role as Becca slowly begins to live again.
Eckhart’s character is an everyman who is defined in terms of his lost son. Movingly he embodies a father’s grief, breaking down as he walks the dog that Danny loved so much.
If you like Rabbit Hole, you might enjoy: The Other Woman; Mother; Winter's Bone.
Rabbit Hole 2010 / PG-13 / 1 hour, 31 minutes
Cast Overview: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller, Tammy Blanchard, Sandra Oh, Giancarlo Esposito
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Genres: Drama, Indie
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