RABBIT HOLE
3 out of 5 stars

a very raw look at how a couple grieves for the loss of their son. this is nicole kidman’s first time as a producer AND an actress in this indie film about how we cope with grief and ultimately find a way to move on from such a profound tragedy... :)

becca (kidman) and howie (aaron eckhart) just lost their son danny eight months ago from a car accident involving a teenage boy who may have been driving too fast that fateful day. becca ends up as a stay-at-home mom, planting flowers and tending to her plants everyday, while howie goes to work. he urges becca to come to a group therapy session with him, but becca is really hostile and almost patronizing to the others in the group. (actually kind of funny b/c she makes fun of the “god freaks”) howie doesn’t understand why becca won’t see a therapist to help her deal with her grief, but she’s stubborn and starts to resent her husband. it doesn’t help her situation when her crazy/immature sister izzy tells her that she’s preggers, and that sort of sets her on edge b/c deep down inside, she doesn’t think izzy deserves to raise a child. her mother (a fab dianne wiest) wants becca to move on/seek help, but becca can’t stand her “advice” either esp. when her mother keeps comparing her crack addict bro’s death to her son’s. in the end, howie clings to the past, while becca tries to get rid of the memory of her dead son... as you can see, the two end up resenting each other and the acting is SUPERB esp. aaron eckhart. ;)

my first initial reaction to this movie was that it was going to be very grim and depressing and lots of yelling, but the story is actually really good and realistic too. becca and howie’s marriage in on the rocks due to a profound tragedy, and it takes a toll on their family and friends. nicole kidman is a real bitch to everyone and aaron eckhart shows true/raw emotion in his fight scenes with kidman. i think the most touching moment is when becca is packing up danny’s room with her mother. expect tears and lots of them during this one, but it’s got a good message towards the end: even if tragedy strikes, the best way is to go down the rabbit hole and see where it leads... :)