Rabbit Hole Review

RABBIT HOLE
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Writer: David Lindsay-Abaire
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Sandra Oh, Tammy Blanchard.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, Rabbit Hole tells the story of Becca (Kidman) and Howie (Eckhart), a couple struggling to return to life as normal after their young son dies in a car accident. To help with their grief, they join a support group and Becca starts cleaning out the house. Becca also starts secretly meeting up with Jason, the driver involved in the accident.

To start off I should say, after watching this, I was pleasantly surprised . For a film about grief, this film is very easy to watch. There are no jarring tonal shifts, as dramatic scenes are expertly interspersed with funny ones. The acting is all top-notch; Nicole Kidman is back to her best, Aaron Eckhart is just as good and Dianne Wiest is her usual brilliant self, playing Becca's mother who has dealt with family tragedy in the past. Newcomer Miles Teller is also great as Jason- it is actually the relationship between him and Becca that keeps this film fresh and interesting. Their conversations are a good contrast between the frosty arguments between the main couple as their marriage starts to show signs of deterioration. The screenplay, adapted by the writer of the original play, is sharp and witty, and the direction competent. Sure, it isn't a marvel of cinematic excellence, but the key to the greatness of this film is its simplicity and restraint- the latter something you probably wouldn't expect from director John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Itch, Shortbus). There are parallels between this and the superior portrayal of a couple in crisis that was Blue Valentine, but for those who couldn't bring themselves to watch such an intense film, Rabbit Hole should be consolation.

The bottom line: This isn't a masterpiece, but it is a fresh, well acted portrait of grief

8/10

Black Swan Review

BLACK SWAN
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writers: Mark Heyman, Andres Heins, John McLaughlin.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassell, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder.

After The Wrestler, which showcased the dirty side of wrestling, Darren Aronofsky's latest film is set in the cutthroat world of ballet. In it, Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a brilliant ballerina who is perfect for the role of the White Swan in her company's latest production of Swan Lake. After Lily (Kunis) joins the company, Nina has some competition for the main role- while Nina can pull off the White Swan's vulnerable, innocent character with ease, Lily effortlessly plays the dark and sexy twin, the Black Swan. The problem is, only one ballerina can play both. Guided (0r better still, misguided) by her overbearing mother (a devilish Hershey) and her dance instructer Tomas (Cassel), Nina hurtles into a mental downward spiral as she strives for perfection.

If you've seen Aronofsky's earlier films (most notably Requiem for a Dream and Pi) the similarites are hard to miss. Even still, when you're so good at something, why wouldn't you repeat yourself? Teaming up with two previous collaborators, cinematographer Matthew Libatique and composer Clint Mansell, he delivers a knock-out film that will leave you breathless by the time the credits roll. Natalie Portman is stunning as Nina, and adds a third dimension to an already difficult role, burdened by occasional poor scripting. It's the script that hinders the film the most- for Vincent Cassel, who just doesn't have the seduction or the sex appeal to make his character believable, the hammy dialogue makes it harder still- one particular scene involving biting is quite cringeworthy. Barbara Hershey is wonderful, though, bringing a level of humanity into her mother-from-hell role. Winona Ryder also appears in a relatively small but powerful role as a veteran ballerina. The dance sequences are dazzling, only made better by Libatique's beautiful, swooping camerawork and some thoughtful costume design. It is the sound design, though, that brings this film to a whole other level. Accompanied by Clint Mansell's booming score, added into the sound landscape are giggles and swan shrieks to elevate the eerie, threatening mood. It helps to bring an air or menace to the film, as tension slowly builds up until the breathtaking last act, that knocks you out and leaves you completely stunned.

The bottom line: A beautiful, dark and thrilling film buoyed by a powerhouse performance from Natalie Portman, Black Swan is a stunning film.

10/10