Adventures In Babysitting (DVD)

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TITLE: Adventures in Babysitting

RATING: ***½

CAST: Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Calvin Levels, Vincent D’Onofrio, Penelope Ann Miller, George Newborn, John Ford Noonan, Bradley Whitford, Ron Canada, Lolita Davidovich, John Dee, Clark Johnson, Albert Collins.

DIRECTOR: Chris Columbus

STUDIO: Touchstone Pictures

RUNNING TIME: 99 min.
...this day. I saw ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING many times when I was younger, perhaps even more than FERRIS BUELLER.

Just a week ago, while I was cruising the DVD shelves at my Navy Exchange, I happened upon this film, and realized right there that I haven’t seen it in about 15 years. While I had reservations in that I didn’t know if I would enjoy now at 25, I decided to spend the six pounds and give it a chance. It took awhile for me ... more

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TITLE: Adventures in Babysitting

RATING: ***½

CAST: Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Calvin Levels, Vincent D’Onofrio, Penelope Ann Miller, George Newborn, John Ford Noonan, Bradley Whitford, Ron Canada, Lolita Davidovich, John Dee, Clark Johnson, Albert Collins.

DIRECTOR: Chris Columbus

STUDIO: Touchstone Pictures

RUNNING TIME: 99 min.

RATED: PG-13 (US), 15 (UK); for some raw language.

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ISN’T NOSTALGIA GREAT?
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Tonight I will be reviewing yet another minor 1980s classic that many people remember, though it also may be one that people haven’t seen in many years. Sort of a cross between Martin Scorcese’s AFTER HOURS and John Hughes’ FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, this teen film is utterly contrived, silly and (at times) obnoxious. Yet it still offers a surprising amount of undemanding fun, even to this day. I saw ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING many times when I was younger, perhaps even more than FERRIS BUELLER.

Just a week ago, while I was cruising the DVD shelves at my Navy Exchange, I happened upon this film, and realized right there that I haven’t seen it in about 15 years. While I had reservations in that I didn’t know if I would enjoy now at 25, I decided to spend the six pounds and give it a chance. It took awhile for me to be familiar with it again, though I soon recognized the parts I found quite funny, though there were other times when I noticed that cliches were working in against. However, I finished watching it with a smile on my face, which was the positive side. While far from being a perfect film, I truly believe that ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING still has enough zing and pizzazz to appeal to kids and teenagers in this day and age.

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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
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Elisabeth Shue stars as Chris Parker---she is 17, beautiful, smart, and she is preparing to have the most romantic night of her life. The film opens up in a suburb of Chicago, in which we see our heroine singing and dancing to the 80s hit “And Then He Kissed Me” by the The Crystals, and getting dressed for a hot date with her boyfriend, who is taking her to an exclusive class restaurant tonight. Soon enough, her boyfriend Mike Todwell shows up---though he has come with some rather bad news. Poor Chris. Her date says that he must cancel. She is lonely and has nothing to do. However, her mother has a job for her to do, and she isn’t too enthusiastic about it.

Admittedly, I have never babysitted before in my own life, though I’m sure most who have done it can vouch that it is not exactly the most enjoyable way to spend an evening, even if there is pay involved. Chris feels she is too old to babysit, though as she says it it’s merely an excuse NOT to do it because she knows it is a pain in the ass looking after someone else’s kids, yet she must be responsible for whatever they decide to do.

Anyway, the Andersons are going to an office party tonight and they call upon Chris to look after their young daughter Sara, who has a particular affection for The Mighty Thor, a marvel comics character. We also meet her older brother Brad, who has just started high school---and happens to have a serious crush on Chris Parker. However, the parents let Chris know they won’t have to worry about Brad because he is staying at his best friends house. It is only a half hour after the parents leave that trouble Chris’ way, and that comes in the form of a phone call from her friend Brenda, who is calling from the downtown Chicago bus station, which is full of homeless guys and weirdos with guns in their pockets. Brenda begs Chris to come and pick her up, even if it means looking after Sara...as well as Brad and Daryl, who decide to tag along for the ride.

You can guess what happens next, and that is basically every unconceivable and unbelievable twist and turn in the book starting with Chris’ car getting a flat tire on the expressway. This leads this group of suburban kids into the downtown hell of Chicago, dealing with car thieves, street punks, naughty frat guys, anything you could imagine to keep them from getting home. What hurts this film most is its predictability; while you really cannot guess what scene comes next, you should know by the know where exactly the climax is going to be, as well as what the resolution will be. Still, most people like me seem to agree that, despite all its flaws, it is really difficult to dislike this film because it is so fun and good-natured. However, I can understand for some other people who say it suspends disbelief more times than necessary.

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HEY, IF THE SHUE FITS...
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There is one vital element that made me enjoy this film thoroughly, however, and that is Elisabeth Shue. The only film she made before this was THE KARATE KID, and I thought she was good as Ali, Ralph Macchio’s girlfriend. ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, believe it or not, is Shue’s first starring role, and she is really the number one reason why the film is more watchable than you may think, and she certainly scores a terrific performance as Chris. From the opening sequence when she is dancing around like a girl smitten with love to the final scene where she is relieved after one dreadful night, she sells Chris wonderfully to the audience.

One thing that you all may find interesting (particularly those that love this film) is that she wasn’t the first person that the producers wanted for the role. First, they offered it to Justine Bateman, who was still too busy playing Mallory Keaten on the TV sitcom “Family Ties.” Then they went to Jodie Foster (!), who was 25 at the time, and still was only beginning to enter into adult movie roles, so that is probably why she turned it down. However, you know what they say, “three times a charm,” and Shue was definitely the producers’ lucky charm. Sure, she may have been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for 1995’s LEAVING LAS VEGAS, though she is so irresistible in this film it would be difficult to think of an another film where she gave a better performance.

Despite everything that Chris Parker and her charges go though, she still insists she is in control and doing her job as a babysitter. However, the one sequence where Shue is at her finest is when she is forced to do an improvisational song in a Blues club run by real-life superguitarist Albert Collins. While all of them are getting away from the car thieves, they find themselves running from an alley to the stage where Collins and his band are playing. As they try to get through, Collins turns to Shue and says, “Nobody is leavin’ this place without singing the blues!” Shue cannot believe this request, but goes ahead with it anyway, and soon makes it a truly crowd-pleasing number that made me smile and laugh; this sequence is truly the highlight of the film.

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FIRST TIME DIRECTOR AND CAST
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While ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING would make a star out of Elisabeth Shue, this film also marked the directorial debut of Chris Columbus. After writing scripts for the well-known films GREMLINS and GOONIES, he decide to make a leap forward with this project before moving onto the slam hits HOME ALONE and HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILISOPHER’S STONE. Columbus manages to provide enough zip and pace to a potentially ridiculous movie, despite his inexperience at the time. I can sympathize with the fact that he was given a rather mediocre script by David Simkins (who works in television mostly), and it was really his well-chosen cast (especially Shue) that helped the entire film immensely.

Among the supporting cast members, you should spot Anthony Rapp, (also making his film debut) who plays the obnoxious Daryl; he would later have solid supporting roles in such hits as DAZED AND CONFUSED, ROAD TRIP, and A BEAUTIFUL MIND. Also on hand is Vincent D’Onofrio (THE CELL) as a buffed car mechanic (who Sara acually thinks is Thor), Penelope Ann Miller (KINDERGARTEN COP) looking out of place as Brenda, and Lolita Davidovich (HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE) in an early role as a college blonde girl who attempts to seduce the 15-year-old Daryl---until Chris steps in, making sure that he doesn’t lose his virginity.

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ONE FINAL WARNING TO PARENTS
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While I’m sure that kids and teenagers will get a kick out of watching this film, as I did, parents may want to know that they might want to check it out first...ironically, like they do when interviewing a babysitter to watch after their kids. This was the first film I ever saw that used the “f” word, just to let you all know; I will say the scene itself in which it was used it was hilarious (plus it gives Shue one her best lines), though I think that Simkins went a little far with the language in designing the film for the youngsters, and thus I agree with the films rating. However, if you can by that, then your kids should find this film an unadulterated blast. As for anyone else, if you like Columbus’ work, a fan of teen films, or just plain in love with Elisabeth Shue, then I surely recommend this film to you!!

One thing I must mention for all those living in the UK, you might have seen this film under a different title, because when I did my research on it, I discovered that on British television, it was titled A NIGHT ON THE TOWN. This film is available under the title ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING on Region 2 DVD and its ASIN number on Amazon is B000094P3P. Thank you so much for reading, hope you enjoyed my op, and as always, I would love to here your comments! Cheers for Now!!! Chris xxxxx

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QUOTES AND TRIVIA
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1) “I truly hope your parents never ask me to babysit for you again!” --- Chris Parker “Well, if they do, I would ask for a buck more an hour!” --- Brad Anderson

2) “You should have checked out this centerfold in “Playboy,” she looks exactly like Chris! I’m telling you, she has got these massively gorgeous...” --- Daryl Coopersmith “SHUT UP!” --- Brad Anderson

3) “Look! That is where Thor lives!” --- Sara Anderson “Thor?” --- Chris Parker “Well, all the superheroes live in the city like Spider-Man and Captain America, but Thor is the best, because he fights the forces of darkness! Forces of Darkness, Beware!” --- Sara Anderson

4) “Take the Brady Bunch upstairs now! We will take care of them after the meeting!” --- Ron Canada (as the chop shop leader)

5) “Uh, where is the spare?” --- Brad Anderson “I don’t know!” --- Chris Parker “Maybe it’s on the car...ya think?” --- Daryl Coopersmith

6) “Brad, no chocolate---your acne! Sara, it is now time for your cough syrup!” --- Chris Parker “I think she is losing it, what do you think guys?” --- Sara Anderson “I am not losing it, do you hear me? I AM STILL IN CONTROL HERE!!!” --- Chris Parker “Yep, the chick is definitely losing it!” --- Daryl Coopersmith

7) “Oh, my God! It’s Miss April!!! Can we have your autograph?” --- Random Frat Guy

8) “Don’t f*** with the Lords of Hell!!!” --- Punk Leader “Oh yeah, well don’t f*** with the Babysitter!!!” --- Chris Parker

9) “It’s so hard, babysittin’ these guys!!! I got the babysittin’ blues” --- Chris Parker singing “Baby, baby! Babysittin’ blues!” --- Albert Collins band

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1) Appearing unbilled in his only film, the awesome guitarist Albert Collins won a Grammy in 1987, the same year as this film’s release. Known to his fans as “The Master of the Telecaster,” Collins died in 1993 at age 61 due to lung cancer.

2) The mild success of this film caused CBS producers in 1989 to make a pilot for a television series under the same name starring Brian Austin Green (of 90210 fame) and Jennifer Guthrie as Chris Parker. It never made it to an audience, though it was an early gig of director Joel Zwick, of MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING fame.

3) Elisabeth Parker’s performance was so good in fact, that she did happen to win Best Actress award at the Paris Film Festival---although she did share the honor with Molly Ringwald, for the forgettable film FOR KEEPS.

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