Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart images from Rabbit Hole

The NY Times has offered us our first look at the stars in the John Cameron Mitchell directed Rabbit Hole. The film is adapted from David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize (2007) winning play, and stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. It is executive also produced (thank you for the correction by a reader!) by Kidman, and the article states that she specifically targeted her co-star, with Eckhart admitting, The reason why I’m in the movie is Nicole. If she wants to work with somebody, then that’s what happens.” It’s a pretty lengthy (and rather interesting) piece on a film that currently has no distribution and was made for $10 million–but certainly has the intrinsic benefits of Kidman’s involvement.

The article continues on to speak on the difficulties of putting a film out there even with someone of Kidman’s stature behind it (and discusses how her recent films have not exactly performed to expectations). The subject of who actually has drawing power (outside of the children’s market) is one that continues to interest me, as name that used to apparently be instantly bankable are risks, and we seem to be left with the Fresh Prince as the last man standing. I’m not so sure if I find that so distressing.

Film Synopsis:

Rabbit Hole tells the story of Becca and Howie Corbett who have everything they could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down, and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. Becca, who must also cope with the distractions of her reckless sister Izzy, and their opinionated mother, Nat, takes solace in her unlikely friendship with a neighborhood teenager, Jason, who might provide the key to lead her back from the darkest of places. The play is a bittersweet drama about finding hope in the lowest moments of our lives, and the paths we take to return to the light of day.

You may know of Mitchell’s Shortbus, which he both directed and wrote, and/or his Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Along with Kidman and Eckhart, Rabbit Hole’s cast includes Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard, Giancarlo Esposito and Sandra Oh.