THE HAND THAT ROCKED THE CRADLE

US, 1992, 110 minutes, Colour.
Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca de Mornay, Matt Mc Coy, Ernie Hudson, Julianne Moore, Madeline Zima.
Directed by Curtis Hanson.

The Hand that Rocked the Cradle is an entertaining thriller. It is a domestic thriller, a focus on an ordinary American family and its need for having a nanny. However, it is one of those films where the nanny is a psychotic killer.

Annabella Sciorra, who emerged in the late 80s as a strong screen presence in True Love, plays the harassed mother. Matt Mc Coy is her husband, Madeline Zima is their poised daughter. The film belongs to Rebecca de Mornay who is the widow of a doctor who committed suicide after being accused of molesting his patients, including the mother of the family. She decides to get her revenge by alienating the affections of the children and of the husband as well as trying to destroy the wife. Rebecca de Mornay is quite intense in this role.

The supporting cast includes Ernie Hudson as the simple handyman, crucial to the resolution of the film. It also has Julianne Moore in an early role as a friend.

The film was directed by Curtis Hanson who had made Bad Influence with Rob Lowe and was to go on to great success with LA Confidential as well as films like Wonder Boys, Eight Mile and In Her Shoes.

While this story has been told frequently, this is a superior and entertaining version.

1.The title, Marlene’s explanation of the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world? The irony of Peyton rocking the cradle?

2.The work of Curtis Hanson, his skill at thrillers? A domestic thriller, a thriller of menace? The final confrontation and action?

3.The American city, homes, the interiors of houses, gardens and greenhouses? Offices? Credible locations? The background of the Gilbert and Sullivan songs?

4.Claire at home, her relationship with Michael, with Emma, a good woman, prosperous, pregnant? Her getting a fright with Solomon’s arrival? Her welcoming him? Her being nervy? Going to the doctor, his molestation, her discussions with Michael, the complaint? The collage of newspapers giving the information about the doctor, the accusations, his suicide? The giving birth to her son? The work at home, wanting to build the greenhouse? The decision to have a nanny, the interviews? The chance meeting with Peyton, Peyton’s contriving it, their discussions, the rapport, Claire inviting Peyton to dinner, her acceptance, meeting the family? Her being employed?

5.Claire and her personality, a good woman, her friendship with Marlene, Marlene’s past relationship with Michael? Bringing up her daughter? The children and their affections being alienated? The ambiguity of Michael’s behaviour? Her suspicions, accusations, the surprise party and the irony? Her becoming a victim of Peyton’s manipulation? Her becoming a victim, her needing the breather, the injury, hospital? Marlene’s death, her investigations, going to the house, knowing the truth, the confrontation with Peyton? The conflict, the physical battle, Solomon’s helping?

6.Michael, a good man, his past love for Marlene, the issue of smoking? At work? Writing the plan, Claire and her not posting it, his reaction? The planning of the surprise party? Claire and her attack on him, the party? The truth, confronting Peyton, breaking his legs? A future?

7.Emma, her age, assurance? Her love for Solomon? Her sense of responsibility? Attraction towards Peyton? The story of the bully and Peyton twisting his arm and threatening him? Peyton and her accusations about Solomon molesting Emma, Emma not understanding this, her grief at his going away? Her final tough attitudes when Peyton’s true nature was revealed, her shrewdness in eluding her and helping her little brother?

8.Marlene, smart, her talk, real estate, her past friendship with Michael, smoking, the parties? Her wariness of Peyton, the chimes, discovering the truth about Peyton’s identity, confronting her, going to the greenhouse, her death?

9.Peyton as villain, her relationship with her husband, his will, her having to move out of the house, the funeral, her anger? Giving birth, the difficult birth and the death of her child? Depression and madness? Meeting Claire, talking to her, being friendly, advice about clothes? Her intentions to subvert – a Iago-like character? Breastfeeding the baby, Solomon seeing her, her threatening him? Her treatment of Emma’s bully? Going to the office, rousing suspicions about Michael, the idea of the surprise party for Claire, the plans, getting Claire suspicious of Michael? Her coming onto Michael, his telling her that he was a one-woman man and her interpretation of this? Her tearing up his application? Her gradual antagonism towards Claire?

10.Her being exposed, the twist, her coming inside the house, fighting Michael, breaking his legs, the fight with Claire, Emma saving the baby? Solomon and his holding the baby, saving the situation? Her death?

11.The experience of domestic violence – hope for the future?