MovieChat Forums > The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) Discussion > Why the need.....

Why the need.....

posted 8 years ago by mhpayne78
6 replies | jump to latest

For a live-in Nanny? Claire didn't have a real job, she just enjoyed working in her greenhouse (which I would consider to be a hobby). Seems pretty dumb to have to hire a stranger to come live with you for this reason..... a part-time sitter should have sufficed..... and also selfish because Claire would obviously rather be spending time gardening than with her newborn. Funny how this never occurred to me when I was younger, but as adult this now seems pretty absurd, lol.

[–] Zhow 8 years ago

That's what I thought. The housewife was a lazy lady who must have felt overwhelmed by having two kids to raise while having no job but looking after her plants. I'd hate to have a stranger living in my house 24/7 especially when it's not necessary and that there is no real privacy. If at least the nanny lived in a small studio attached to the house.

[–] Catnip86 8 years ago

She had no real interest in being a mother. She hardly spent time with her daughter. The nursery was bare and sterile. When she saw Peyton playing the game with her family, she made no effort to join them. She decided that she would be "too busy" with her hobby to take care of a newborn. She thought Solomon might have molested her daughter, but never talked to her daughter or took her to a doctor. It goes on and on.

Why did she bother having kids?

[–] whitespirit26 8 years ago

Geez what pathetic comments. Claire had volunteer work that was important and it was her husband's idea to hire a nanny, not hers. Hardly spent time with her kids, are you joking? And newsflash, she didn't bother joining in the family game because she was tired and Payton had subtly edged in to take her place and make her feel left out, just as she intended.

[–] Catnip86 8 years ago

What volunteer work was more important than her own children? Yes, it was her husband's idea, but she could have said no. Instead she said she would only be a few feet away, but too busy with her hobby to take time for her newborn.

And there was no reason she could not join the game. Or at least go down and sit with them.

When Her daughter told her she had no fear of Soloman, she could have taken the time to actually TALK to her. Ask her if he ever did anything. But I guess that would have taken time from her hobby.

[–] whitespirit26 8 years ago

That entire scene was made to tell us how Peyton was moving in on the family, so Claire on a subtle level felt she wasn't needed. It certainly wasn't made to say she was a bad mother and I can't imagine where you're getting the idea that she thought her hobby was more important than her kids.

[–] boy19 8 years ago

It's a movie. Chill out...