RABBIT HOLE directed by John Cameron Mitchell, written by David Lindsay-Abair from his play, with Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest. 91 minutes. A Maple release. Opens Friday (December 17). For venues, trailers and times see Movies. Rating: NNNN
This story tracking bereaved parents Becca and Howie is a meditation on grief but is in no way an emotional put-through.
Adapted by David Lindsay-Abaire from his play, the script expertly leaks information, slowing clueing us in to key details – why the dog is tied up at Becca’s mom’s, the identity of the teen Becca is seemingly stalking – so that we wind up getting deep insight as well as the experience of tragedy.
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart are sensational as adults dealing with their pain in opposite ways – she guarded, purging the house of reminders of her son, he obsessed with old family videos, working to preserve his memories.
And Dianne Wiest as Becca’s mother is, as always, a revelation.
