Adapted by David Lindsay-Abaire from his own Pulitzer Prize–winning play, director John Cameron Mitchell's Rabbit Hole tells the painful recovery story of Becca and Howie Corbett (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart), whose 4-year-old son Danny was accidentally killed by a motorist after the boy darted into the street while chasing the family dog. Barely repressing her simmering anger, Becca copes via disciplined domesticity, while bereaved Howie clings to every trace of Danny's life, relieving stress with strenuous games of squash. It's been eight months since they lost their child, and grief therapy sessions have become more habitual than helpful. Many questions remain: Should the Corbetts clean out Danny's room and discard his toys? Or should they sell the house and move away from the pity in their neighbors' eyes? Becca's mother (Dianne Wiest) continually recalls the death of Becca's drug-addicted brother—a comparison that infuriates Becca, who secretly begins to stalk Jason (Miles Teller), the teenaged driver. Meanwhile Howie seeks solace with Gaby (Sandra Oh), a woman from group counseling. In this restrained yet haunting performance-driven drama, Oscar-nominee Kidman and Eckhart powerfully embody various forms of their characters' anguish while striving to continue their charade of normalcy. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary (by director John Cameron Mitchell, writer David Lindsay-Abaire, and cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco), deleted scenes (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a powerfully acted drama.] (S. Granger)
Rabbit Hole
Lionsgate, 91 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99, Apr. 19 Volume 26, Issue 2
Rabbit Hole
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