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You have to suspend belief quite a bit here to enjoy this movie. If you can get past the fact that this family situation did not call for a live-in nanny and that the parents were unbelievably naive in hiring this woman practically off the street without reference checks and follow-up interviews, then be prepared for a deliciously evil Rebecca De Mornay. I was ready to plunge a knife at that bitch through the television set. Annabella Scorria was pretty and charming as the housewife, but I found Matt Mccoy's performance as the Dad rather bland. Julianne Moore in the minor role of the wife's friend was sexy and very polished, presaging her later successes. I found the performance of the handicapped man a bit awkward in the beginning but smoother toward the end. I would like to see this picture in black and white. The director builds suspense well. A standout scene is the wife stepping on the broken light bulb that is lying on the basement stairs at the end of the movie. You hear every crunch as suspense builds. The movie was evocative but I am only giving it a 6 out of 10.
You have to suspend belief quite a bit here to enjoy this movie. If you can get past the fact that this family situation did not call for a live-in nanny and that the parents were unbelievably naive in hiring this woman practically off the street without reference checks and follow-up interviews, then be prepared for a deliciously evil Rebecca De Mornay. I was ready to plunge a knife at that bitch through the television set. Annabella Scorria was pretty and charming as the housewife, but I found Matt Mccoy's performance as the Dad rather bland. Julianne Moore in the minor role of the wife's friend was sexy and very polished, presaging her later successes. I found the performance of the handicapped man a bit awkward in the beginning but smoother toward the end. I would like to see this picture in black and white. The director builds suspense well. A standout scene is the wife stepping on the broken light bulb that is lying on the basement stairs at the end of the movie. You hear every crunch as suspense builds. The movie was evocative but I am only giving it a 6 out of 10.