Babysitting is Dangerous

Going all the way back to Chris Columbus’s first directorial effort, 1987’s Adventures in Babysitting is the way PG family films should be made, entertaining for both adults and kids, with just the right amount of edginess.

Though incredulous, the entertaining narrative follows teenager Chris (Elisabeth Shue), who, after boyfriend Mike (Bradley Whitford) cancels on their anniversary dinner, grudgingly takes a job babysitting an adventurous eight year old, Sara (Maia Brewton), instead. Her older brother, 15 year old mild-mannered Brad (Keith Coogan), is supposed to be staying at his quirky buddy Daryl’s (Anthony Rapp), but after hearing that Chris is babysitting, sticks around.

Getting a panic-stricken call from her best friend Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller), who decided to run away from home and has suddenly changed her mind – she is now stranded at a bus station in downtown Chicago, looking to be rescued. With Sara unwilling to stay back with Brad, Chris is forced to take the pair, as well as tag-along Daryl, into the city late that night.

For those of you who have not seen it, the foursome go through what could be deemed a ‘night from hell’. Leading off with a blown tire (and no spare), they are picked up on the freeway by a hook-handed trucker ironically known as ‘Handsome’ John Pruitt (John Ford Noonan). Out of the frying pan and into the fire, the crew later hop into a Cadillac that is being car-jacked by level headed Joe Gipp (Calvin Levels) – leading to them being held hostage in a chop shop. Through, as the title suggests, adventurous ways, this crazy night also leads them into an all African-American blues club in a shady part of town, as well as leaving them stuck between two rival gangs on a subway, and so much more.

Blues legend Albert Collins has a memorable cameo in the film

With a lively spontaneity, there is something exhilarating about seeing a group of kids that find themselves in a plethora of locales that they should most definitely not be in. Perhaps the stand out moment is the blues club, with the four stumbling into a live show. Looking to evade the perfectly cast baddies, Bleak (John Davis Chandler), his second in command Graydon (Ron Canada), and Gipp in tow, they are told by the gruff bandleader (a cameo from blues legend Albert Collins) that “nobody leaves this place without singing the blues”. What comes is a priceless tune that wins over the reluctant crowd, the vignette ending with a perfect punch line.

Also featuring an entertaining score by Michael Kamen, perhaps even more memorable is the 1950/1960’s inspired soundtrack, with blues/pop classics littered throughout. The song styles of The Crystals (Then He Kissed Me), Edwin Starr (Twenty Five Miles), Sam Cooke (Bring It On Home To Me), Muddy Waters (Blues Had A Baby and They Called It Rock-n-Roll), The Rolling Stones (Gimme Shelter), Albert Collins (Albert’s Smokin’ Ice), and so many other artists help bring the narrative to life. . . tying into the subject and vibe of the picture.

And, to once again illustrate the fate of the casting gods, the two stars originally favoured for the role of Chris were Jodie Foster and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (she dropped out in deference to Foster). With Foster withdrawing as well, the four remaining choices were Shue, Valerie Bertinelli, Michelle Pfeiffer and Justine Bateman. . . Bateman won the role, though left the project due to creative differences. With Pfeiffer then being cast in The Witches of Eastwick, the casting team selected Shue for the lead role.

For those of you who know your producers, the name Debra Hill (this film’s producer) will immediately bring to mind the important role she played in developing the original Halloween. An in-the-know joke, you will hear John Carpenter’s iconic score from Halloween in the background as Chris and Sara watch television. Another wink wink, nudge nudge moment finds Sara wearing a backpack with Gremlins fuzzy character Gizmo on it – Columbus wrote the screenplay for the film. And, in what would become synonymous with two other Columbus films, a lawn jockey statue is knocked over in front of a house. . . a carbon copy of the scene can be found in Home Alone 1 and 2.

A word of warning as well. . . Adventures in Babysitting does carry with it a certain degree of adult themes. There are a few f-bombs, a comedic scene revolving around a stabbing, a Playboy magazine plays an integral part in the plot, couples are caught cheating, and there may be a few frightening sequences for younger children.

Featuring stellar performances (including an excellent extended cameo from Vincent D’Onofrio as a disgruntled mechanic. . . or was he Thor?), a high octane plot, and fluid direction, what comes together is one wholly entertaining big city escapade. So, don’t leave this film hanging, it is well worth the adventure.