Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Sitter

You know how sometimes an old movie will be re-released on DVD after an actor in it has become famous? That was the feeling I kept getting while watching The Sitter. The movie is apparently new, but Jonah Hill looks completely different now. I suppose that isn’t really important to the movie. In The Sitter, Hill’s character volunteers to babysit three kids so that his mom can have a night out with her friend, the mother of the children. Then when he gets a call from a girl he wants to date, he gets caught up in a series of awkward events involving drugs and such. All of this of course happens with the children, who are equally screwed up in different ways, are with him.

The concept has been done before. Everything from a babysitter who is out of their league to a night in the city where every event leads to something worse, it’s played out. But as with all movies like this, the comedic level is what is most important. Unfortunately, the movie is not very funny. There are some moments here and there that are chuckle-worthy, but for the most part the clearest emotion is fear that these awkward moments will get worse.

The acting is adequate, the pace is fine and to be honest if it ran any longer than it does, (80 minutes) it would be too long. Hill plays the typical lazy character with a heart he’s used to playing. But the overall film doesn’t hold up to his more memorable titles, so this one can be considered a throw away. I wonder if he’ll play this kind of role now that he doesn’t fit that stereotypical look. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough because even when the movie stinks, Hill knows how to handle a comedy. (5.0 out of 10)

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