Rabbit Hole [2010]

A sad film, yes, but not the sort of devastating experience I had expected. The characters are in deep pain, which they channel so beautifully, but to which I cannot relate on most levels.  A few dashes of simple humor here and there make everything a little bit lighter. Rabbit Hole shows there is no one way to grieve, but that each of us must learn to cope with loss in the best way we can. Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) take two very different and unorthodox approaches, and it’s not our job to chastise them for it, only to understand them and hope we’re never in that situation. This is John Cameron Mitchell at his most stripped-down (in a completely different sense from Shortbus), and it helps that he’s backed by David Lindsay-Abaire’s great script and one of the best ensembles of the year. Kidman is incredible in her Oscar-nominated role, managing to make Becca sympathetic when she’s not entirely likeable. Aaron Eckhart is solid as Howie, albeit a little too over-the-top. Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller and Sandra Oh are excellent in small but crucial parts. I loved that, even with a huge star among the cast, you know Rabbit Hole’s intentions, and it truly has the heart of an indie film.