CRADLE DID FALL

US, 2021, 88 minutes, Colour.

Ali Liebert, Lauren K.Robek, Matreya Scarrwener, Sydney Bell, Jonathan Hawley Purvis, Reese Alexander.

Directed by Keegan Connor Tracy.

Cradle Did Fall states that it is based on a true story. The theme is disturbing for parents, especially for mothers of young children and the possibilities of the abduction of babies.

The film sets the scene with an example of an abduction and then moves to the present, a young mother with postpartum depression, her husband going for business to Sweden, her edginess, feeling that she was being watched. She is approached by a genial woman who is taking photographs in the park who eventually offers to do a photo shoot for the baby with the decision that it be shot at home.

Then the baby is abducted. The audience realises that the pleasant photographer has controlled the situation, especially for her daughter who allegedly has a child but, in fact, does not. Hence the abduction – and later explanation of the prologue.

The mother is actually quite strong-minded, upset but not wilting, instigating investigations especially with her longtime friend. But, the detective is sceptical. There are some dramatic turns in the plot, the friends finding the perpetrators, but the mother impersonating a detective and killing the friend. The tone of the film then becomes rather violent, and a confrontation between the mother and the two who abducted her child.

1. Popular television melodrama? Serious themes? Disturbing for parents, especially mothers on the theme of the abduction of babies?
2. The prologue, setting the tone, the sleeping mother, the baby crying, disappearing? And the explanation at the end?
3. The city setting, homes, parks, police precincts? Musical score?
4. Taylor, love for the baby, post-partum depression and recovery, love for her husband, his work, his having to go to Sweden, her acceptance of this, the long friendship with Lindsey, Lindsey and her support?
5. Taylor and her sense of someone watching, in the park, noises in the house? The encounter with Cathy, her friendliness, praise of the baby, taking the photos, further conversations, the offer to photograph the baby, Taylor reluctant, taking it up, the decision to have the photos in the house, Skylar could coming with her mother? The photo shoot?
6. Audience wariness, yet Cathy’s exuberance? Skylar, moody, going to the bathroom, opening the window?
7. The disappearance of the baby, tailor distraught, Lindsey’s support? Detective Gallagher, the possibilities, even to Taylor killing her baby? The discussions with Lindsey? Taylor and her strong mindedness and urgency?
8. Tracking down Skylar, going to her workplace, the confidentiality, learning that she was fired, Jess, the fellow worker, explaining the situation? Skylar not having a baby? Knowing the address of Cathy, going to the house, no one home, Cathy seeing them?
9. Cathy, the change of personality, denying all knowledge to the detective? Fostering Skylar and her ambitions to have a child? The fact that Cathy had snatched Skylar and indoctrinated her about having a baby?
10. Taylor, explaining all the facts to the detective, his reluctance to believe her?
11. Cathy, impersonating the detective, interviewing Lindsey, Lindsey suspicions, killing her, hanging her?
12. Taylor, the confrontation with Skylar and Cathy, the fight with Cathy, Cathy’s death, Skylar’s injuries, taken to the asylum?
13. Detective Gallagher and his apology? The happy ending, the return of the baby, the husband coming home?