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| Movie Review: Rabbit Hole Alternate Title: One Day at a Time
Story: This release of this
powerful, first rate dramatic film during a holiday season that usually
dumps all of it's 'feel good' crap is a wonderful surprise. Kudos to
the producers for making it happen. The film was deftly directed by
John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch)
and written by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on his Pulitzer
Prize winning play. Do not be scared off by the premise of the film.
It opens about eight months after the accidental death of a four year
old. We meet grieving Becca and Howie, as they attempt to live their
forever altered lives. The first half hour allows us the usual introductions
to character and place but as the film progresses the combination of
performance and script makes for a heck of a cinematic experience. I
was riveted and moved. It is not treacly or cloying. It is good theater. As most of us already know, there is no time
limit on grief and this convincing portrayal of a difficult subject
is well done. When we go through that rabbit hole, who knows where we
will pop up? Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLrzt71dfAI Acting: Nicole Kidman as Becca was wonderful. Once
I got over how different her face looks these days her acting takes
over. She is one terrific actor. Aaron Eckhart as Howie
was also terrific and held his own against the first class actress.
Dianne Wiest as Nat was sensational too. Tammy
Blanchard as sister Izzy worked well Young, Miles Teller
as Jason was mighty effective. The supporting cast was fine too including:
Giancarlo Esposito (Auggie), Jon Tenney
(Rick), Patricia Kalember (Peg), Julie Lauren
(Debbie) and Sandra Oh (Gabby). Trivia: David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole, which
opened in February 2006 at Manhattan Theatre Club's Biltmore Theatre
on Broadway, won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Cynthia Nixon, John
Slattery and Tyne Daly starred in the Broadway play. Cynthia Nixon won
the 2006 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
for her performance as Becca in the New York production, and the play
was nominated for several other Tony awards.
Predilection: None
Critters: A wonderful dog named Taz.
Food: Becca is a baker and she spends lots of time
in the kitchen.
Sex Spectrum: None
Blatant Product Placement: iPhone
Visual Art: Young Jason is working on a comic book
and his illustrations appear throughout.
Theater Audience: About 30 other people
Weather: In consequential
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: I did not cry but I am sure others
will.
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 9
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