The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Curtis Hanson, USA 1992, 110 minutes

A modern Psycho for the nineties? An update of the tired Fatal Attraction genre? No, just another psycho-nanny picture. Seeing the obvious dearth of mainstream psycho-nanny films, director and writer (debut from Amanda Silver) have decided to exploit this niche market with a low-key but wonderfully played film.

A leading doctor is accused of sexual harressment and commits suicide. One of his patients (Annabella Sciorra) returns to her life and gives birth to a child. An important project at work takes up her time and she is forced to hire a nanny. Enter Rebecca De Mornay as the scheming, manipulative yet outwardly sweet childminder. An intriguing set of circumstances contrive which lead to the death of a greenhouse, the menacing intent of a set of wind-chimes and the relevation that - shock horror - De Mornay may not be quite who she seems...

Although script and direction may not be top-notch, brilliant performances by the two female leads carry this film through some of its cornier moments. Good use of set-piece scenes complement the acting. Scary, yet entertaining, this film questions the credentials of babysitters all over the world.

"Splendidly unnerving" - Time Out

Review by Neil Chue Hong
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97