Review of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) by Stuart K — 10 Mar 2013
Directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential (1997), Wonder Boys (2000) and 8 Mile (2002)), this is a tight and uncomfortable thriller which manages to be gripping and exciting. Playing on every mother's worst fear, and it has more than a touch of Hitchcock about it.
While it might sound derivative, it's the way Hanson tells the story that gives the film it's edge, and it's still effect over 20 years later. After Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) was sexually assaulted by obstetrician Dr.
Victor Mott (John de Lancie), she reported him and Mott killed himself to prevent going to jail, his widow (Rebecca De Mornay) is told she'll lose everything, and she has a miscarriage. She swears revenge against Bartel and her husband Michael (Matt McCoy), and she takes on the identity of Peyton Flanders, and takes on the position of the Bartel's new nanny for daughter Emma (Madeline Zima) and their new baby.
As soon as Peyton becomes the nanny, she starts to sew the seeds of distrust into the family, looking to tear them apart, but Claire soon finds out who Peyton really is. It's a terrifying film, which has the message of "Be careful who you piss off", but De Mornay is absolutely terrifying, and this film should make anyone think twice before they employ a nanny.
It was able to get Hanson onto greater things, shame it didn't work for the cast.
This review of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) was written by Stuart K on 10 Mar 2013.
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle has generally received positive reviews.
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