A movie based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play is open in limited release this weekend. “Rabbit Hole” stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart.

Eckhart jumped at the chance to play the role of a grieving father.

“Rabbit Hole” deals with a couple coping with the sudden death of their child.

Co-star Aaron Eckhart responded both to the script, and to the producer, his co-star Nicole Kidman.

“Nicole called me and asked me to be a part of the team. I read it, it was an amazing script, came from an amazing play, and I immediately said ‘yes,’” said Eckhart.

The loss of their child creates a dramatic rift in the couple’s marriage.

But Eckhart is quick to point while the subject matter can be devastating, it can also be uplifting.

“I really feel like it’s a movie about hope and surviving a marriage and love,” said Eckhart. “I’m not saying it’s not challenging material, and sometimes difficult, but I think that audiences will appreciate that.”

Eckhart appreciates the path his career is taking, one that lets him balance small independent stories like “Rabbit Hole” with big-budget action-filled fun like his role in the top-grossing “The Dark Knight.”

“These kind of movies, ‘Rabbit Hole,’ you just can’t say no, I mean this is why I’ve been acting for 20 years, went to all the classes, schools,” said Eckhart. “This is why I love to act. But doing a big movie like ‘The Dark Knight,’ or, I have one called ‘Battle: Los Angeles’ that’s coming out, it’s the same experience for me. You know, the only difference is the size of your trailer. I just love to act.”

- abclocal.go.com