TIFF Movie Review: Rabbit Hole (2010)
Somewhere out there I am having a good day
Photo: Olympus Pictures/Blossom Films
Oftentimes the best performances come out of grief-stricken features that allow actors to show their emotional range and Rabbit Hole is no exception. Yet, the advantage this film has over films of a similar nature is the fact its characters aren't typically prone to overreaction and melodrama. These characters feel real and so does their sadness and the way they go about trying to cope. Instead of their grief wearing on you, you want to reach out and give them a hug.
The cast includes Aaron Eckhart, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard and Miles Teller. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Rabbit Hole" is a Lionsgate release, directed by John Cameron Mitchell and is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, some drug use and language. The running time is 1 hour 32 minutes.
It's been a while since Nicole Kidman actually impressed me in a movie and she's never been a particular favorite of mine, but here she is a stunner. Kidman gives a real and honest performance and as a result Eckhart's performance pales in comparison. Dianne Wiest also gives an impressive performance as Kidman's occasionally naive, yet sympathetic mother, making both Kidman and Wiest serious lead and supporting Oscar contenders.
Everything else aside, the best aspect of this film is the fact you are never left to wallow in Becca and Howie's grief as much as you feel like a friend hoping they can get passed it. The only time I ever felt the film lost its legs was during a shouting match between Becca and Howie, but I felt that was more as a result of Kidman almost embarrassing Eckhart as he has a hard time keeping up.
However, a film like this can't help but be a little cliche, which is evident any time someone screams, "What do you want from me?" in a movie, even if the line is delivered with as much passion as Kidman brings to it. But the maturity of the piece helps it rise above any of its more banal moments. One such scene would be a late back-and-forth between Kidman and Wiest in which the two get over a previous argument and share a laugh. It plays like a quick glimpse into real life, a moment not often seen and perhaps one not remembered shortly thereafter, but on film it's something that works because we can all relate.
The title is rather straightforward, alluding to the possibility of us having alter egos out there in parallel universes. When Kidman's character grasps onto the concept in a moment of clarity she says, "It means somewhere out there I am having a good day," and the no bull way in which she says it gets to the heart of the character and allows this film to be much more than just another melancholy tale of despair.
Rabbit Hole treats its characters and audience as human beings. There's an understanding of the way people talk and the way people argue. People don't always have the answer and they don't always have to place the blame, but we do make assumptions and jump to conclusions when we are at our worst and are just as easily able to ask for and accept forgiveness, sometimes without even saying so. This film accomplishes all of that and for that it deserves respect and for Kidman and Wiest's performances it deserves acclaim.
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So Eckhart won't be an awards contender? Oh, well. But it's nice to see Kidman return to form.
glad to hear good things about kidman, shes a favorite of mine
John Cameron Mitchell's first "conventional" film, and your review is positive. Excited to see it! :D
After reading this i have to see this. Kidman has been due for a great performance.
I thought she was excellent in Margot at the wedding, and that's only 3 years old, she was robbed of multiple nominations but the film was a hard sell since it dealt with unsympathetic characters. She was also great in The Golden Compass, a real Ice Queen. So I don't understand how people make it sounds as if she's been away for a long time.
"It's been a while since Nicole Kidman actually impressed me in a movie…" I am stating my opinion, not saying she's been away.
I'm with you on this Jeff. No one among any actress – living or dead – can equal the diversity of Kidman's body of work. Well, maybe Kate Hepburn or Meryl Streep. But Kidman's films and the directors who helmed there are incomparable in breadth. Strangely enough, Kidman shines best in small films, and I'm looking forward to seeing her get an Oscar nod for Rabbit Hole. Getting passed over for The Others, Dogville, Birth, Fur and Margot at the Wedding was criminal.
HOW DO WE SEND AN EMAIL TO THIS critic of Rabbit Hole??
I happen to know that since I have had 2 young sons die, that Nicole Kidman is RIGHT ON!!! And this critic says–it is Nicloles' character who is IN DENIAL??????
SHE IS BRAVE AND the only one who is NOT in denial. !!!
The other ones— are in TOTAL DENIAL….That God wanted an angel?????? and took their child?? NO! Nicole/Becca had the guts to say it like it is.
We who had a loss like this –know this.
And smart Kidman picked Aaron Echart— he is flawless in his performance. His eyes do alot of speaking. It is Niclole who has the premier role.
Good choice of Phoenix List, a little blond angel, with a tooth missing!! ADORABLE!!! My son- Alec, who died at 4 mo. of SIDS, was beautiful like him.
GAIL
Hey Brad, Is Eckhart really that bad or is Kidman just too good? Do you think the movie would have benefited from another male lead?
Kidman is that good. Eckhart is fine, you believe the marriage and you believe his grief, but when it comes time for the emotional showdown Kidman blows him away. It really was one of the better performances I've seen all year.
Good. I'm excited to see some real heavy acting this year and since I have you for a sec.
I wanted your opinion. Do you think there's a possibility of anything a little more light hearted making a dent this award season? The last comedy I saw that might stand a chance(if it isn't completely forgotten by the end of the year)was The Kids are Alright, I also loved I Love You PM but there's like zero buzz on it. Is anything else with in that vein looking good to you?
I loved the movie. And I thought Eckhart was phenomenal. If it weren't for Bridges, Eisenberg, Bardem, Franco and the rest of the full best actor scene, Eckhart would have a chance. Maybe they should have campaigned for Supporting instead?
John Cameron Mitchell is a brilliant talent. A real Star!
I'm looking forward to this film.
Thanks for all the reviews! Very interested in seeing this, a little bummed Eckhart's performance was lacking in comparison to Kidman's.
I'm not a big fan of Kidman, so maybe this film may change my mind.
I've never been a huge fan of Kidman either, but as an actress I thought she underwent a real transformation after her divorce and really showed in several films between 2000-2003 that she had serious chops after all.
I have felt that in the last few years she got sidelined in bigger glossy films (that usually flopped) that were steps backward for her in the acting challenge sense.
I'm glad to see her get back to something that lets her show some more of that talent once again.
I'll put this on my list.
Check out Dead Calm and To Die For. Those are from the 90s and show that Kidman has acting chops early on.
when this film will be release?
17 Dec. limited
This has really intrigued me. Much like others here I am excited to see her good in a film..
i am a fan of nicole kidman .i hope she will get another oscar nomination.
I am extremely excited to see this show. I unfortunately was working on a theatre show and was too busy to catch it at TIFF (and I found it difficlt to get a time for it or even a review after…?)
I personally worked on this show in a small theatre capacity and found that people were really taken aback by the storyline and how it ends….its definitely not your "Hollywood" drama and from the sounds of your review it is well done.
PS any thoughts on why TONY award winning actress Cynthia Nixon was not chosen to be in the role? I found her to be AMAZING in the character of "Becca", that and John Slattery for "Howie"?
"Nixon decided to do Sex And The City", is how the joke goes. Kidman bought the rights of the play and co-produced the movie. Nixon should have no trouble raising or finding financiers for the ten-million production budget, and with a material this good, finding a distributor for the film should not be a challenge.
I was fortunate to watched it at at the festival. The movie stays with you and it is very powerful. Nicole Kidman is an amazing actress. I am very sure that KIdman and Weist will be nominated or even win the Oscar