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"RABBIT HOLE" (2010) (Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart) (PG-13) QUICK TAKE: Drama: A couple's marriage continues to be shaken by the accidental death of their 4-year-old son eight months earlier, as well as their very different means of coping with that loss. PLOT: It's been eight months since the accidental death of Howie (AARON ECKHART) and Becca Corbett's (NICOLE KIDMAN) 4-year-old son. They're attending grief counseling meetings along with the likes of Gabby (SANDRA OH) and her husband, but Howie gets more out of those group encounters than does Becca. It certainly doesn't help that her sister, Izzy (TAMMY BLANCHARD), is expecting a baby by her musician boyfriend, Auggie (GIANCARLO ESPOSITO), or that their mom, Nat (DIANNE WIEST), keeps comparing the heroin overdose loss of her adult son -- their brother -- to Becca's boy. Meanwhile, she's been putting away her son's belongings as the memories are too painful, which clashes with Howie's desire to maintain reminders of their boy, all of which results in them clashing in their mutual grief. As a result, he starts to see more of a kindred spirit in Gabby, while Becca starts meeting Jason (MILES TELLER), the high school student who accidentally ran over her son those fateful months ago. With their marriage progressively crumbling, the couple must decide whether they can make things work or if it's just going to be too painful to go on together. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Unless they're fans of someone in the cast, it doesn't seem likely. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For mature thematic material, some drug use and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: NICOLE KIDMAN plays a woman still grieving her 4-year-old son's accidental death 8 months ago. Tormented by any reminder of him, she's been putting his things away, behavior that greatly upsets her husband who wants those reminders. She's also jealous that her sister is pregnant and hates that their mother keeps comparing the loss of their brother in the past (as an adult and from a heroin overdose) to her son. She ends up spending time with Jason, the teenager who accidentally ran over her son, and the two share that grief from different angles. She also uses profanity. AARON ECKHART plays her husband who doesn't want to forget their son and thus needs reminders of him around the house, all of which results in a clash of grief coping with Becca. He uses profanity (one instance is briefly strong), drinks, smokes pot, and contemplates having an affair with Gaby but thinks better of that bad idea. TAMMY BLANCHARD plays Becca's sister who's far more of a wild child than her (Becca has to get her out of jail), and who's pregnant by Auggie. GIANCARLO ESPOSITO plays her boyfriend, a musician who got her pregnant. MILES TELLER plays the high school student who's still coping with the fact that he was the one who accidentally ran over Becca and Howie's son when the boy darted out into the road. He copes with that and not having his father around by writing a comic book that deals with such related issues. DIANNE WIEST plays Becca and Izzy's mom who tries to help Becca deal with her grief by explaining her own regarding the loss of her adult son years ago to heroin addiction. She must put up with Becca not being appreciative of her efforts to help, and drinks some wine. SANDRA OH plays a married woman Becca and Howie know through their loss of a child grief support sessions. She and Howie are something of kindred spirits and end up spending time together, during which they sometimes smoke pot. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: Here's a quick look at the content found in this drama that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Some non-explicit, sexually related dialogue is present, as is some briefly fooling around involving a married couple, while a woman is pregnant by her boyfriend, who we partially see in the shower (nothing explicit). A woman slaps another woman, a man yanks his dog hard back via its leash, and there's talk of a bar fight. A tremendous amount of tense family material is present, as are related thematic elements. Bad attitudes are present, as is potentially imitative behavior. Several characters smoke pot, while others drink, and there's talk of a heroin overdose in the past. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Howie has a beer. Becca has to pick up Izzy from jail (for the latter apparently hitting a drunk girl who got in her face in a bar - not seen). Howie puts his wine glass in the kitchen, while Becca is still holding hers. Howie starts to massage Becca's back, with her saying he's trying to seduce her, including by plying her with liquor. People drink beer in a bowling alley (including Howie, Auggie and others), while Nat has some wine. Becca is upset with Nat when she compares the loss of her son to Becca's loss. We then learn that Becca's brother was a heroin addict who overdosed at the age of 30. Howie finds Gabby smoking from a pot pipe in her parked car. He says he checked on her to make sure nothing was wrong, and then adds that everything smells fine. She's embarrassed, but he asks if she has any more, she says yes, and he then joins her. We don't see him smoke any, but next see the two in a grief support group meeting where they start giggling and then can't stop, even laughing when another survivor says his daughter died from leukemia. Gabby and Howie share a pot pipe in a parked car, and are then high while playing games at an arcade. There, he jokes that her pot messed up his depth perception. When Howie asks Becca why she didn't tell him about her meeting Jason, she says it's the same reason she didn't ask about him coming home reeking of pot. When Howie comments on it being quiet, Becca admits that she slipped the family dog a couple of Ambien. People have wine at a cookout. BLOOD/GROSS STUFF None. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Becca tells a white lie to the neighbor about why she and Howie can't attend their barbeque. Becca has to pick up Izzy from jail (for the latter apparently hitting a drunk girl who got in her face in a bar - not seen). We hear that Gabby and her husband have been in a grief support group (for parents who've lost kids) for eight years. During that meeting, another man talks of his daughter visiting him in his dreams. When he and his wife say that her death was God's plan as He needed another angel, Becca has had enough and asks why God didn't just make another angel instead. Afterwards, she tells Howie she can't stand the "God freaks." Becca follows a school bus through a red light after spotting Jason (who was the teen who accidentally hit and killed Danny with his car). Becca states that their friend, Debbie, hasn't made any contact with them since Danny's death eight months ago. Becca seems to stalk Jason, until we realize they know each other and agree to meet again. Becca tells Nat that there's too much "God talk" at the support meetings and that it "pisses me off." After talk of Becca's brother dying in the past, Nat asks what if there is a God, which prompts Becca to state, "Then he's a sadistic pr*ck" and "Worship Him and He'll treat you like sh*t." She then adds that no wonder Nat likes Him as "He sounds just like Dad." Becca is upset with Nat when she compares the loss of her son to Becca's loss. We then learn that Becca's brother was a heroin addict who overdosed at the age of 30, while Becca's son followed the family dog out into the street and was accidentally struck and killed by a car. Jason says he skipped school (but has already been accepted into college). Howie finds Gabby smoking from a pot pipe in her parked car and he then joins her. We don't see him smoke any, but next see the two in a grief support group meeting where they start giggling and then can't stop, even laughing when another survivor says his daughter died from leukemia. Jason admits to Becca that he thinks he may have been speeding (31 or 32 in a 30 m.p.h. zone) when he accidentally struck and killed her son. Nat admits that she finally told off an overbearing friend in the past, who wanted to share in her grief (over her son's death), and commented on her "fat ass." Becca finally has enough and tells a mom in a grocery store to just go ahead and give her child the fruit roll-ups he wants. The woman is taken aback by this and asks Becca if she's a mom. When Becca can't answer, the woman says she knew so, prompting Becca to slap her hard across the face. Izzy then makes Becca leave. Howie is upset that Becca didn't tell him that she and Jason had been meeting, or that Jason has now shown up at their house. Angry, Howie tells him, "You should show a little f*cking respect." Jason then leaves, prompting Becca to tell Howie, "You're an asshole." Tired of the family dog pulling away on his leash, Howie yanks him back hard, but then feels bad, hugs the dog, and cries. Howie seems ready to have a fling with Gabby and goes to her house, but then thinks better of that bad decision and leaves. When Howie comments on it being quiet, Becca admits that she slipped the family dog a couple of Ambien. FRIGHTENING SCENES When Howie asks Becca if they should think about having another child, she replies, "Is that what the sex thing was about?" The two then argue over that and, distracted, he nearly runs into a stopped vehicle, and has to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting it. We see a slow-motion flashback of both Becca and Jason reacting to him having hit her son in the street. We don't see the boy or impact, but just see their shocked reactions. GUNS/WEAPONS None. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "You should show a little f*cking respect," "Worship Him and He'll treat you like sh*t," "Then He's a sadistic pr*ck," "The same S.O.B. he always was," "That's so Jerry Springer," "Acting like a jackass," "If it isn't Ma Barker," "Sucks," "Freaked out," "I can't stand the God freaks," "It pisses me off," "It's a friggin' waste," "Your pot messed up my depth perception," "Your fat ass," "Every freaking day," "God no," "You're an asshole" and "I'm an asshole?" Becca follows a school bus through a red light after spotting Jason (who was the teen who accidentally hit and killed Danny with his car). Becca seems to stalk Jason, until we realize they know each other and agree to meet again. Jason says he skipped school (but has already been accepted into college). Gabby and Howie occasionally smoke pot together. When Howie comments on it being quiet, Becca admits that she slipped the family dog a couple of Ambien. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 1 "f" word, 1 "s" word, 1 slang term using male genitals ("pr*ck"), 4 asses (2 used with "hole"), 1 S.O.B. (said like that), 7 uses of "Oh my God," 5 each of "God" and "Jesus," 2 each of "G-damn" and "My God" and 1 use each of "For Christ's sakes," "For God's sakes," "Oh God" and "Oh Jesus Christ." SEX/NUDITY Becca reminds Izzy that she's sleeping with another woman's boyfriend. But Izzy says that's Auggie's ex-girlfriend, and that she (Izzy) is pregnant by him. We see Howie and his friend shirtless in the locker room. Howie starts to massage Becca's back, with her saying he's trying to seduce her, including by plying her with liquor. He starts to nuzzle her neck, but she then stops him and gets up. She then says he wants to have sex and that he's trying to rope her into that. She then adds that things aren't nice anymore, and nothing else happens. When Howie asks Becca if they should think about having another child, she replies, "Is that what the sex thing was about?" The two then argue over that and, distracted, he nearly runs into a stopped vehicle, and has to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting it. We see part of Auggie's bare chest and side of his hip when he partially leans out from behind a shower curtain. Howie seems ready to have a fling with Gabby and goes to her house, but then thinks better of that bad decision and leaves. A woman shows cleavage. SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Becca sees Howie watching a video of their son on his smart phone. We hear that it's been eight months since the accidental death of Becca and Howie's 4-year-old son. We hear that Gabby and her husband have been in a grief support group (for parents who've lost kids). During such a meeting, another man talks of his daughter visiting him in his dreams. When he and his wife say that her death was God's plan as He needed another angel, Becca has had enough and asks why God didn't just make another angel instead. Afterwards, she tells Howie she can't stand the "God freaks." The loss of their young son has put a great deal of strain on Becca and Howie's marriage as they've coped in different ways. Becca takes down their son's drawings off the fridge, collects his lunch stuff, and gathers up his clothes. She's then upset when Izzy (who's pregnant) won't accept Danny's clothing as a gift. Accordingly, Becca dumps the clothes into a charity's donation bin. Howie starts to massage Becca's back, with her saying he's trying to seduce her, including by plying her with liquor. He starts to nuzzle her neck, but she then stops him and gets up. She then says he wants to have sex and that he's trying to rope her into that. She then adds that things aren't nice anymore. Becca goes into the city and back to where she used to work, but when someone asks about her family, she has to leave. When Becca won't go with him, Howie has to attend the support group by himself. Becca tells Nat that there's too much "God talk" at the support meetings and that it "pisses me off." After talk of Becca's brother dying in the past, Nat asks what if there is a God, which prompts Becca to state, "Then he's a sadistic pr*ck" and "Worship Him and He'll treat you like sh*t." She then adds that no wonder Nat likes Him as "He sounds just like Dad." When Howie asks Becca if they should think about having another child, she replies, "Is that what the sex thing was about?" The two then argue over that and, distracted, he nearly runs into a stopped vehicle, and has to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting it. Becca is upset with Nat when she compares the loss of her son to Becca's loss. We then learn that Becca's brother was a heroin addict who overdosed at the age of 30, while Becca's son followed the family dog out into the street and was accidentally struck and killed by a car. We hear that Jason only has a mom, but he tells Becca that the father figure in his comic book does not represent his absent dad. Howie finds Gabby smoking from a pot pipe in her parked car and he then joins her. We don't see him smoke any, but next see the two in a grief support group meeting where they start giggling and then can't stop, even laughing when another survivor says his daughter died from leukemia. Howie is upset when he learns that Becca erased the video of their son off his cell phone. She says she didn't do it on purpose, but he asks if she's sure (yanking the phone from her hand), commenting on everything else she's done, including getting rid of their dog. He says she has to stop erasing their son, with her angrily stating she doesn't feel bad enough for how she imagines he thinks she should. He then states he can't do this anymore, especially after learning she's contacted a real estate agent about selling their home (for the same reason of erasing the memories). Gabby admits that her husband left her, and left a note about how they were destroying each other. Howie shows his house around to potential buyers, but then explains (in his son's bedroom) that his son died, that he expects to see him pop out at any moment, and that he can still feel him there. Howie is upset that Becca didn't tell him that she and Jason had been meeting, or that Jason has now shown up at their house. Angry, Howie tells him, "You should show a little f*cking respect." Jason then leaves, prompting Becca to tell Howie, "You're an asshole." Becca asks Nat if grief over a dead child ever goes away. Nat says no (and that it's been 11 years for her), but that it changes as the overbearing weight eventually lets up and then feels like a brick that one carries around with them. She adds that one can even forget about it, but then finds the brick and is reminded again. She again says it doesn't go away and that you carry it around, adding that's fine. We see a slow-motion flashback of both Becca and Jason reacting to him having hit her son in the street. We don't see the boy or impact, but just see their shocked reactions. We then see Becca crying in a parked car in the present day. Howie returns home to find Becca not there. The next morning, when she's returned home, he says he thought she had left him. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The loss of their young son eight months ago has put a strain on Becca and Howie's marriage as they've coped in different ways. Becca states that their friend, Debbie, hasn't made any contact with them since Danny's death eight months ago. Dealing with the loss of a child or other family member. Dealing with guilt when it comes to a death and feelings that one could have done something to have prevented that. We learn Jason was the teen who accidentally struck and killed Becca's son when the boy darted out into the street. Jason admits to Becca that he thinks he may have been speeding (31 or 32 in a 30 m.p.h. zone) when he accidentally struck and killed her son. Becca asks Nat if grief over a dead child ever goes away. Nat says no (and that it's been 11 years for her), but that it changes as the overbearing weight eventually lets up and then feels like a brick that one carries around with them. She adds that one can even forget about it, but then finds the brick and is reminded again. She again says it doesn't go away and that you carry it around, adding that's fine. Howie seems ready to have a fling with Gabby and goes to her house, but then thinks better of that bad decision and leaves. The notion of alternate universes. VIOLENCE Becca has to pick up Izzy from jail (for the latter apparently hitting a drunk girl who got in her face in a bar - not seen). Becca finally has enough and tells a mom in a grocery store to just go ahead and give her child the fruit roll-ups he wants. The woman is taken aback by this and asks Becca if she's a mom. When Becca can't answer, the woman says she knew so, prompting Becca to slap her hard across the face. Izzy then makes Becca leave. Tired of the family dog pulling away on his leash, Howie yanks him back hard, but then feels bad, hugs the dog, and cries. Reviewed November 30, 2010 / Posted December 25, 2010

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