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 trusted 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
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world this is one of the best horror films i have seen for ages. Rebecca De Mornay's character is manipulative and evil as she takes over the happy, seemingly perfect family as the nanny. The acting is brilliant, the plot has me jumping at many places and there are only 3 bloody moments in the whole film!suspense is the way forward!
DONT HIRE A NANNIE Gripper of a film. Rebecca De Mornay plays a clever and frankly scary physco nannie, hired by a respectable American couple. The story is cleverly conceived and well acted. If you were ever thinking of taking a nannie into your home, this film may make you think twice. Recommended fully.
Fantastic real life story with a very manipulative character After an awkward beginning this family drama thriller panned out to be one of the best in it's genre with fantastic acting and characters brilliantly portrayed by the director of Oscar winning L.A Confidential, Curtis Hudson. Rebecca De Morney (Risky Business, The three Musketeers) stars as the psychotically crushed want to be mother who sweeps in on the wealthy parent Claire, played with great belief by Annabella Sciorra (Jungle Fever, Find me guilty) and tries to muscle her way through the family,... more info
suprisingly good this is a complex film but at the same time it is easy to follow it has a number of short but interesting subplots that are utimatly integral to the story. the star of this film is definatly the wrighter what a great story line! although it is lacking the ability to catch me off guard as it is fairly predictable, but in an entertaining way i love the character of solomon who plays kind of an onlooker to the story unfolding. the nanny is truly deranged and evil - i love it! some of the acting leaves a little... more info
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