Rabbit Hole (2010)

I FINAL-FREAKING-LY watched Rabbit Hole.


And all I can say is: wow. 


This movie is definitely something. I own a copy of the stage play and have read it, so I already knew the story and the characters and what was going to happen and what the circumstances were, but oh man. This film is just...remarkable. A story that examines how a couple deals with the loss of their child. It's brutally unforgiving, and there are definitely some light, sweet moments but all they do is add to the core of the characters who must face a cruel reality.

Nicole Kidman is so amazing in this. Definitely Oscar Nominee-worthy. It's astounding to see her portray the different levels of Becca, one where she hides her grief with a tight smile and unassuming poise, but then in her private moments she is completely stricken with her loss. I think Aaron Eckhart does an excellent job as Howie, who also has his own covers when he goes to work, to the gym, to group (counseling). However, I can see how he's overshadowed by Kidman. Girl's just all over the place like whoa.

I'm really glad that David Lindsay-Abaire, the original playwright, wrote the screenplay/film adaptation. I think by doing so, it ensures the themes and emotions from the story on stage are carried through onto the screen, how Lindsay-Abaire originally envisioned it.

On that note, it was also quite interesting to see the changes/additions he made. In one of my favorite scenes (also one of the the most heartbreaking) the decision was made to switch the original context of a video tape cassette with a video clip on an iPhone, which I think was just so clever. Then there's the addition of more characters, of which I found Sandra Oh's to be the most interesting addition to the cast. Indeed.

But then watching this film kinda made me realize why I love theatre so much, versus film. I had the opportunity to watch the above mentioned favorite scene acted out by classmates from last year's acting class. So. Fucking. Heartbreaking. I had to work pretty hard not to cry, if I recall. It was just so intense how here's a couple duking it out and we, the class, were right there in front of them having to watch them crumble. Then compare it to watching the same scene in the movie theatre and the connection just...isn't the same. I didn't exactly feel the urge to cry, or anything. There's a blinding contrast between watching a heartbreaking scene on a stage vs on screen. Watching a live performance is...an experience. The audience becomes a part of the character's lives, their world. Nothing can beat that feeling of being drawn into a play.

However there were moments while watching the movie that I might've let a couple of tears slip, not gonna lie.

Now I really wish I could see this play on a stage, to see how tangible the emotions can get.

And then, I'm in the process of finding a scene for my acting class, and I REALLY want to do that mentioned scene except now that Rabbit Hole is a film with big name actors on it, there's the probability that people will associate their performances with the characters if they've seen the film so that already puts an expectation/preconceived notion of how the character should be. Blah.



Rabbit Hole: watch it.