Review of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) by Jenny L — 24 Jan 2009

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle follows the emotional interchanges of Mrs. Mott (Rebecca De Mornay) whose husband dies when accused of sexual abuse. Devastated Mrs. Mott acts as a Nanny to the family she holds responsible for her widows death. The film, whilst lacking the physical, creates a fixed moment of psychological embrace where we are transported to the feelings and emotions of De Mornay, to the extent that we actually empathise with her rather mental state. The actions she undertakes- breastfeeding another womans baby and playing with the mind of the older child is so relevant to the films plot itself and the values that the audience themselves possess. We often find the film deplorable without actually realising. Thrillers like this, too often make the mistake of creating the antagonist as a crazed individual whose distraught and history is the key emotion we have to sympathise with.

In this film, the actions of De Mornay and the depiction of the family itself create the sympathy for us. Oddly, the fact that De Mornay is not outrageously insane is what makes the film psychologically tense because the character stays true to herself, this character, this emotion we feel could happen to anyone. This is the difference between The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and so many other films of its kind. The film was superbly directed. The choice of shots flow of the screen almost poetically, again creation this family tension that we all experience in our lives, but yet something more sinister. Director Curtis Hansen also creates a sense of isolation with his directing, not allowing the audience to move anywhere, but only into the mind of De Mornay, something that is so thrilling about The Hand that Rocks the Cradle.