Movie Review - "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" 01/10/92

This is a movie review for "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" released January 10, 1992. I watched this on VHS tape.



Trailer:

Cast:
Annabella Sciorra ("What Dreams May Come" (1998) Annie Collins-Nielsen, "Jungle Fever" (1991) Angie Tucci) -  Claire Bartel
Rebecca De Mornay ("The Shining" (TV Mini-Series, 1997) Winifred Torrance, "Risky Business" (1983) Lana) -     Mrs. Mott / Peyton Flanders
Matt McCoy ("L.A. Confidential" (1997) 'Badge of Honor' Star Brett Chase, "National Security" (2003) Robert Barton)   -  Michael Bartel
Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters" (1984) Winston Zeddmore, "The Crow" (1994)
Sergeant Albrecht) -   Solomon
Julianne Moore ("The Big Lebowski" (1998) Maude Lebowski, "Hannibal" (2001) Clarice Starling)  -      Marlene Craven
Madeline Zima ("Californication" (TV Series, 2007-2011) Mia Lewis, "A Cinderella Story" (2004) Brianna) -      Emma Bartel






Plot:
A married woman named Claire Bartel becomes pregnant with her second child. She goes to a new OB/GYN doctor who sexually molests her during examination [pelvic exam without gloves and not just examining]. She tells her husband, in tears, and he says that they need to report it. They do report it and other women step up saying that they have received the same treatment from the same doctor. The doctor ends up committing suicide. His wife, also pregnant, has some pregnancy complications during the week after his suicide and loses her child. She has to undergo emergency hysterectomy so she can never have child of her own again.
To get revenge on the woman that ruined her life and to have children of her "own", she assumes the identity of Peyton Flanders and becomes the Bartel's live in nanny / house assistant. But will Peyton take over the house and become Joey and Emma's mother? Will she take Claire's place and become Michael's wife? Can Claire defend her family against the woman?





Criteria:
0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around – characters, music, theme, storyline, etc.


3.5/5 - This movie is definitely a thriller. It was an "okay" kind of a movie but I would suggest it. The overall theme of the movie is interesting, even to a childless woman like myself: a subtle home invasion and fighting for your family/house/life. It also showed a bit into the psyche about love, sex, family, marriage, and whatnot to show how an action (though right) can destroy someone internally. Mind you that you shouldn't go insane and try to steal another person's family after that person messed up yours! Warning: there are naked breasts (breastfeeding), violence, murder, ill-intent, and deception in this movie. It was a good movie and I will keep this VHS. Suggested, but not highly.

I think this would be a bit more sensitive for those that have children, as this is a huge topic about safety concerning the family. It also says that sometimes you can trust someone who has been there for a while versus someone who is new, but that depends on the situation. The people you decide to trust may or may not deserve your trust so be careful, especially when it comes to your family and your household.