Film
Movie theaters, reviews and showtimes in Chicago, plus articles, trailers and more
- Home
- Box Office
- Listings
- Trailers
- Features
Bookmark this page- Edition:
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
Director: Curtis Hanson
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Claire (Sciorra), happily married and pregnant, is molested during a visit to her gynaecologist. The ensuing investigation results in the doctor's suicide, thus causing his pregnant wife (De Mornay) to miscarry. De Mornay finds solace in an elaborate revenge which involves posing as a nanny and gaining employment with Claire in order to wreak havoc. Screenwriter Amanda Silver gleefully exploits parental fears, and skilfully depicts the shifting loyalties, malevolence and escalating paranoia within Claire's household. But as the film progresses, malicious schemes and loony excesses are combined, with Hanson's self-conscious direction rendering one particularly sensational murder even more implausible. Subtler and more involving are sequences which show the splendidly unnerving De Mornay in coercive, threatening mode.Author: CM
Cast & crew
Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: David Madden
Cast: Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay, Matt McCoy, Ernie Hudson, Julianne Moore, Madeline Zima, John de Lancie full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 110 mins
Most popular on this site
Features
Head trip
Fall preview: Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York is one of the most mind-bending films of the season.
Kiss and tell
A director and his star use their personal lives as inspiration. And it isn't self-indulgent. Promise.
Leo rising
Melissa Leo talks about good direction, being too method and how to get ahead in indies.
Top of the World
Documentarian James Marsh turns a wire-walking stunt into high drama.
Harvest feast
Black Harvest reaps the best of black filmmaking, local and international.
Sibling revelry
The Duplass brothers have big plans. Hollywood, beware.
What do you think?
Post your review now