The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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A potboiler featuring a demented caretaker and a seemingly hapless suburban family, this is The Nanny of the 1990s. However, it is much more predictable than that 1965 Bette Davis psychodrama, and more graphic. It works only because Rebecca De Mornay makes us intensely uncomfortable as the disturbed au pair who wants to take care of much more than her employer's well-being.

Annabella Sciorra plays the perfect mother of a flawless family. Her obstetrician, however, is less than wonderful, having enjoyed her examination much more than he should have. When she files sexual harassment charges against the repugnant doctor, he loses face--literally--after shooting himself in the head. Several months later, an ideal nanny shows up at her home. You guessed it--she's the doc's widow.

The movie follows a tried and true formula, with the audience in on everything. However, the story does surprise us in intense and intimate ways. The visit to the obstetrician is one of the creepiest moments in the film. You definitely hear the voice of writer Amanda Silver in a plot concerned with the vulnerabilities of a family, a newborn, a marriage.

Since we know so much up front, there is an overall lack of inventiveness in the plot machinations. It may not jolt us, but De Mornay does. It's unsettling to watch someone who appears so attractive and who behaves so kindly suddenly reveal hideous psychopathic tendencies. Restraining herself from going over the top, she instead oozes such malevolence you'll want to shudder. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

Get ready for edge-of-your-seat excitement with the hit that rocked the nation! In this entertaining thriller, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra -- THE HARD WAY, INTERNAL AFFAIRS) has the perfect life and family -- and exactly what Petyon Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay -- RISKY BUSINESS) desires desperately. But once Peyton deceptively becomes the Bartels' live-in housekeeper, how far will she really go when the life she wants belongs to someone else? From absorbing start to heart-stopping finish, this critically acclaimed winner delivers a lively mix of thrills, chills, and surprises equaling 100% fun!

Customer Reviews:

NOT BAD THRILLER! LOOKS LIKE A TV MOVIE!.......2007-08-16

This movie always reminded me of one of those life channel TV movies. It is however, well constructed and there are some good performances, especially De Mornay as the psycho nanny from H E L L ! It's kind of predictable, but I thought it did keep my interest. The DVD transfer looks good.

Great movie!.......2007-06-16

Rebecca is good in it and pretty, and the little girl is the cutest, most adorable personality of a child actor I've ever seen. She is SO innocent. She is just ADORABLE.

Not always believable, derivative, but fun to watch.......2007-06-12

I was never a fan of the soap opera-ish/Lifetime channel-type movies, but I've always found 1992's "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" a fun movie to watch, but unrealistic in a few areas. The Bartel's naivete was too far-fetched, and they took way too long (to be believable) to connect the dots about Peyton's true intentions. At least Claire figured it out in a forgivable time frame, although she should've suspected that Peyton had framed Solomon before he was fired, because the circumstances should've looked very suspicious to Claire that this was the case. And Michael was the dimmest bulb of all. He thought the sun rose and set on Peyton until almost the very end of the movie, even after Peyton tried to seduce him in the kitchen, when Claire wasn't home.

I've always thought that Rebecca DeMornay's performance in this movie was overrated. She gave a solid performance, but nothing that droves of other actresses couldn't have duplicated. I mean, if you compare DeMornay's performance in this movie to Glenn Close's in "Fatal Attraction," Demornay's performance looks mediocre. And THTRTC was also clearly inspired by "Fatal Attraction."

But I don't mean to bash this movie too much. I still enjoyed it very much. You just have to put its flaws aside while watching.

Weak, Implausible Plot But Brilliant Directing.......2007-06-04

A pregnant woman files sexual harassment charges against her repugnant gynae and he commits suicide. Several months later, the woman gives birth and an ideal nanny shows up at her home. You guessed it. She's the dead gynae's widow seeking revenge.

Such a plot would normally insult any viewer's intelligence. How does this newcomer gain trust and affection from this family at the mother's expense may be difficult to believe, but the pace and the dramatic turn of events can keep the viewer glued to his/her seat.

Definitely can't hold a candle to Fatal Attraction, but overall, it's still a watchable thriller.

beware of nannies humming "Poor Wandering One"..........2007-04-09

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE was one of the most popular edge-of-your-seat thrillers of the 1990s. It taps into the suburban nightmare of a deranged nanny who tries to 'steal' a family.

Young housewife Claire Bartel (played by Annabella Sciorra) is thrust into a nightmare situation when her new doctor's medical procedures border on indecent assault. She files a complaint, and opens the way for other women to speak up about his malpractice. Shortly before he's due in court to explain his actions, he commits suicide, and Claire resumes her life.

Enter Peyton Flanders (played with chilling conviction by Rebecca DeMornay). She's a young nanny with no job, and Claire's busy raising two small children whilst building a new greenhouse. The situation couldn't be more perfect...or more sinister. While Peyton worms her way into the Bartel household, she hides a secret plan of revenge to bump Claire out of the family portrait for good!

Sciorra and DeMornay duke it out in grand style in THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, which features enough sickening suspense and fabulous thrills to hook even the most remote audience. Co-starring Matt McCoy, Madeline Zima (TV's "The Nanny"), Ernie Hudson (TV's "Oz"), and Julianne Moore ("The Hours", "Far from Heaven").

The DVD offers no extras, but the widescreen transfer looks a treat.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle [Region 2]
Starring: Annabella Sciorra , Rebecca De Mornay , Matt McCoy , Ernie Hudson , and Julianne Moore
Director: Curtis Hanson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005AXK6

Average customer rating:

NOT BAD THRILLER! LOOKS LIKE A TV MOVIE!
Great movie!
Not always believable, derivative, but fun to watch
Weak, Implausible Plot But Brilliant Directing
beware of nannies humming "Poor Wandering One"...

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004CYAI

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

NOT BAD THRILLER! LOOKS LIKE A TV MOVIE!.......2007-08-16

Great movie!.......2007-06-16

Rebecca is good in it and pretty, and the little girl is the cutest, most adorable personality of a child actor I've ever seen. She is SO innocent. She is just ADORABLE.

Not always believable, derivative, but fun to watch.......2007-06-12

Weak, Implausible Plot But Brilliant Directing.......2007-06-04

beware of nannies humming "Poor Wandering One"..........2007-04-09

Average customer rating:

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004RYLR

Summer of Sam/Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Average customer rating:

Summer of Sam/Hand That Rocks the Cradle
Starring: Rebecca De Mornay , Laura Ferri , Ernie Hudson , Todd Jamieson , and Mitchell Laurance
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000067DHE
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Description

Summer Of Sam - DVD- The dynamic John Leguizamo (SPAWN, EXECUTIVE DECISION) is teamed with Academy Award(R)-winner Mira Sorvino (Best Supporting Actress, 1996, MIGHTY APHRODITE) in an electrifying, must-see movie that takes you back to New York City's infamous summer of 1977! The heat is soaring to record highs, blackouts are filling the streets with looters ... and the murders of a man who calls himself the Son of Sam are gripping the giant city in fear! As friends in a small Italian neighborhood become obsessed with the idea that Son of Sam is someone nearby, the madman's fearsome plague of terror becomes the catalyst that prompts relationships to fall apart and trust to disintegrate into dread! Also starring Adrien Brody (THE THIN RED LINE) and Jennifer Esposito (I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), this powerful motion picture tells the gritty and hard-edged story about one nightmare season in the city that never sleeps! The Hand That Rocks The Cradle - English/French DVD -Get ready for edge-of-your-seat excitement with the hit that rocked the nation! In this entertaining thriller, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra -- THE HARD WAY, INTERNAL AFFAIRS) has the perfect life and family -- and exactly what Petyon Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay -- RISKY BUSINESS) desires desperately. But once Peyton deceptively becomes the Bartels' live-in housekeeper, how far will she really go when the life she wants belongs to someone else? From absorbing start to heart-stopping finish, this critically acclaimed winner delivers a lively mix of thrills, chills, and surprises equaling 100% fun!

DVD:

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