MOVIE REVIEW - The Sitter

Funnyman Jonah Hill stars in the new comedy The Sitter. Upon viewing this movie, you may want to leave Nana at home for this one.

The Sitter is another in a long line sophomoric comedies targeted squarely at young adult males who can't seem to get enough of this kind of humor. The Sitter is a bit more than just a bunch of sight gags, and edgy bits. Many of the people that pay money to go and laugh at this movie won't even really get that this is total parody of young adults. The perception that many early 20 somethings are lazy, unmotivated, and entitled is exploited to the highest. Also lampooned is the perception of some that today's parents are basically not in charge anymore, and not very skilled at parenting.

The parody rolls on, as the drug and street culture are also painted in the lampooning spotlight. And young kids too, they are portrayed as highly screwed up, troubled, and materialistic. They all intertwine and they try to give us laughs in The Sitter.

Hill plays Noah. He is a 23 year old guy who lives with his mom. He ends up babysitting 3 neighbor kids. As a result he breaks every rule a sitter should have. He takes them (9, 11,13) into New York City in the night, and puts them in the middle of a drug deal gone bad. Noah and the kids steal a dealers cocaine and then spend the rest of the night trying to raise cash to pay the dealer back. And they are also trying not to get caught by said dealer because he is going to kill Noah. This is pretty much a mess.

They do try to grow a heart late in this movie, as Noah seemingly has the epiphany that he should grow up and be an adult. The kids as a result of this drug chase of a night, are suddenly awakened by our wonderful role model Noah, and each shed their baggage as well. Not sure it's reality, huh?

Hey, there are a few laughs here and Hill can be very funny. But I think we are laughing because Hill is in this movie. This script is really edgy, not overly funny, and not terribly creative. This is envelope pushing with these young kid characters. As they continue to push the line further out. Language is not as horrible as it could have been, and I've certainly seen more vile and offensive movies. But after Hill was in Moneyball, I was hoping he would turn the corner. This looks like a movie that was filmed a while ago, the old Hill.

The Sitter. It will be a hit with it's fans, but not really very good.