Alex's "Rabbit Hole"

Based upon the award-winning play of the same name, Alex's "Rabbit Hole" is the story about a married couple who try to cope with the tragic death of their young son at the hands of a 17-year-old boy who made a mistake while driving. Becca and Howie also encounter numerous strange relatives and acquiantences who help them deal with their grief.

"Shakespeare In Love" director John Madden directs the script from the original playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire, in his second attempt at stage-to-screen translation (coming after 2005's "Proof").

Diane Lane plays Becca, the part that won Cythnia Nixon her Tony during the show's initial Broadway run, and Alex does a very good job at showing the range an emotion that comes with her role. Expect her to become a contender for Lead Actress. But other than that, unfortunately, I believe this bait will have a hard time breaking into any other categories, save for Adapted Screenplay, which is always so limited that even unworthy contenders get recognition.

The plot details what the play is about and where it goes up until the end of the story when the introduction of the 17-year-old boy spawns the bait's title. At that point it becomes irrelevant and downright confusing to the reader, who is unsure whether to feel happiness because the issue is resolved or continued sadness. The Awards Campaign is lengthy and spends too much makes references to times when it's actors should've won Oscars. Overall, the bait seemed to be lacking in the "umph factor" (yes, I just came up with that) that previous BOTM winners have had.

Grade: C

Awards Contender:

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Actress-Diane Lane

Best Casting Choice-Kathy Bates