Flawed as hell in some minor respects, but stunningly brilliant in all of the important ones. "Oh, I've got the prettiest mother, I tell everyone I've got the nicest mother...."
Patty McCormack was great, but the rest of the cast was annoying as feck (especially the mother and her horrible shrill voice). Not to mention Rhoda being the sanest of the lot, the rest were just a bunch of weepy idiots.
The subplot with the mother being the adopted child of a murderer was the stupidest thing ever. I'd have liked it more if that wasn't the 'explanation' for everything. Also if there was a less Hays code enforced ending.
The Bad Seed was the Hereditary of its day, though more thriller than horror film, or maybe I should call it a straight drama because the acting is so intense yet realistic. Nancy Kelly, reprising a Tony-winning role, is brilliant as a mother who starts to believe her manipulative 8-year-old daughter could be responsible for another child's death, and it goes on from there, with an off-putting performance by Patty McCormack, as well as stand out roles for both Eileen Heckart and Evelyn Varden. You may never hear "Au clair de la lune" without shuddering again. I was all set to give this high marks when the last 10 minutes almost ruined everything. What a spectacular fumble at the 10-yard line (am I doing the sports metaphor correctly?). It could have ended on a somber note, or it could have ended with an arch twist, but it kept going. Its actual finale is a WTF moment the universe of the film does not earn in the least, or a cheap cop-out, but it's a ridiculous concession to the Hays Code. It gets worse. An awkward curtain call ends on a punchline that--what, means we're off the hook for hating/fearing a child? So jarring, but apparently something they did on Broadway to pacify too-emotional audiences. A compromised vision if I ever saw one.
Nice script, masterful direction and most of all brilliant performances, especially by Mc Cormack conceal the minor flaws in this magnificent, captivating movie. I have some thoughts about how the ending should be though.
I agree that Nancy Kelly overplayed it in some parts of the movie, but i think Patty McCormack did it very well as The bad seed and I enjoyed it.
However, i didn't like the ending. It could have ended before
Rhoda was hit by the lightning
I have read the book, but it is many years ago and i'am not sure how closely the movie follows it.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Runar
Such a horrible ending to a otherwise good movie.Camille Deadpan
This movie is amazing!ClassicLady
Good movie. We all know a brat like the little girl here but we probably don't have to deal withWise Jake
Flawed as hell in some minor respects, but stunningly brilliant in all of the important ones. "Oh, I've got the prettiest mother, I tell everyone I've got the nicest mother...."mightysparks
Patty McCormack was great, but the rest of the cast was annoying as feck (especially the mother and her horrible shrill voice). Not to mention Rhoda being the sanest of the lot, the rest were just a bunch of weepy idiots.Siskoid
The Bad Seed was the Hereditary of its day, though more thriller than horror film, or maybe I should call it a straight drama because the acting is so intense yet realistic. Nancy Kelly, reprising a Tony-winning role, is brilliant as a mother who starts to believe her manipulative 8-year-old daughter could be responsible for another child's death, and it goes on from there, with an off-putting performance by Patty McCormack, as well as stand out roles for both Eileen Heckart and Evelyn Varden. You may never hear "Au clair de la lune" without shuddering again. I was all set to give this high marks when the last 10 minutes almost ruined everything. What a spectacular fumble at the 10-yard line (am I doing the sports metaphor correctly?). It could have ended on a somber note, or it could have ended with an arch twist, but it kept going. Its actual finale is a WTF moment the universe of the film does not earn in the least, or a cheap cop-out, but it's a ridiculous concession to the Hays Code. It gets worse. An awkward curtain call ends on a punchline that--what, means we're off the hook for hating/fearing a child? So jarring, but apparently something they did on Broadway to pacify too-emotional audiences. A compromised vision if I ever saw one.sneha
I like the ending.. how, Christine makes sure.. in case..panagos
Nice script, masterful direction and most of all brilliant performances, especially by Mc Cormack conceal the minor flaws in this magnificent, captivating movie. I have some thoughts about how the ending should be though.Kisbye
I agree that Nancy Kelly overplayed it in some parts of the movie, but i think Patty McCormack did it very well as The bad seed and I enjoyed it.However, i didn't like the ending. It could have ended before
I have read the book, but it is many years ago and i'am not sure how closely the movie follows it.
CDF
Everyone commenting here is right, it's a terrible ending, but it's so laughably bad that you have to see it to believe it.