 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Baby Sitters Club
- Review Date: August 13, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1995
Common Sense Media says
A "girlfriends" story with a great message for tweens.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while some of the young teen characters make poor choices in this movie, they ultimately learn their lessons and serve as strong role models.Two main characters lie to their friends, family, and sometimes put others at risk, but these tests of independence and friendship ultimately reinforce the message that kids need to rely on others and make positive choices. There is some flirting and a bit of kissing between teens, and the romantic relationship between a 13-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy is a central plot point. While there's little swearing and no alcohol or drug use, at times the movie is like an ad for popular food products.
What's the story?
Based on the book by Ann M. Martin, THE BABY SITTERS CLUB shows kids of different ethnicities and interests hanging out, riding bikes, getting crushes, working on schoolwork, and hatching crazy/brilliant schemes. The scheme in this case is a summer day camp where the girls can earn enough money to get an office for their baby sitting group. Group ringleader and tomboy Kristy (Shuyler Fisk) and her buddies -- the math-minded Stacy (Bre Blair), the studious Mary Anne (She's All That's Rachael Leigh Cook), hippie Dawn (10 Things I Hate About You and The Secret World of Alex Mack's Larissa Oleynik), artistic Claudia (Tricia Joe), novelist Mallory (Stacy Linn Ramsower), and dancer Jessi (Zelda Harris) -- have had the market cornered on babysitting in suburban Stoneybrook for years -- but they're also best friends. In a bid to get to spend the summer together every day and still keep their babysitting clients happy, the girls open a day camp. But when Kristy's flaky biological dad reappears after a near five-year absence, Kristy's loyalties are torn: Does she keep the secret her dad asks her to keep or does she risk betraying him? And can she get all the time she wants with her dad while still spending enough time with her family and at the day camp she created?
Is it any good?
If you want a picture of real suburban tween/teen life, don't look to the Disney Channel or early Lindsay Lohan movies. Instead, check out The Baby Sitters Club. Nearly all the young actresses are enchanting. The only shame is that Blair's performance as Stacy falls flat. It's no surprise that Oleynik and Cook became bigger-name stars after this movie. And Fisk's portrayal of the confused but well-meaning Kristy has viewers alternately rooting for her and worrying about her. It's especially worrying when she does things like head to a carnival alone at night and leave her baby brother to walk home alone.
The great thing about The Baby Sitters Club is that Kristy learns her lesson -- and offers instructive life lessons to tweens eager to test their independence. It reminds them that going it alone, especially when an adult is asking them to compromise their morals, is never the right choice. And in a world of oversexualized teens, it's refreshing that the sweet girls, dressed age-appropriately and non-suggestively, are the ones with the boyfriends. It also shows boys as they really are -- sure they're attracted to girls, but they also like the girls for all the different parts of their personalities.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the danger of keeping secrets. What should you do if an adult ever asks you to keep a secret from your parents? Who should you talk to if your parent is the person asking you to keep the secret? When is keeping a secret OK?
Are the girls in this movie role models? What defines a role model to you? How are the girls in this movie different from some others in contemporary movies about tweens and teens?
Did you notice the brand-name products in the movie? Do you think these products were there to make the movie feel more realistic, or were they paid for by the companies? Do these sorts of product placements make you more likely to buy the items?
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Kid, 11 years old
October 23, 2011
AGE
A kid that Luvs it!!!
I love the books, the originals. And I fell in love with the movie. Some name calling, none severe.
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AGE
i love the series and i love the movie it is funny and it is pretty cool
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AGE
A wonderful movie for kids of all ages
I watched this movie when it came out since I remember reading the babysitters club series. The movie was just as positive as all of the books. Each of the girls are great role models, and have positive attitudes. These girls are level headed, business minded, and care about everyone. They practice sign language with a child who can't hear. I think the negative messages in this movie turn out to be positive. Kristy lies about where she is going, but in the end fixes the problem she caused. Stacey lies about her age to a boy, and neglects to use her medicine because she doesn't want to look silly. However, in the end Stacey tells her guy friend the truth, and this movie sheds some light on Diabetes, which some kids have no knowledge of. I would recommend this movie for any child, any age. It has great lessons, and no negative messages that I can think of.
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AGE
nice movie i apporve!
this is a very very good movie any ages for kids to see this movie its a great movie there's nothing bad about it at all hey may be rated PG but thats the perfect rating for the perfect movie well to me it is its about 4 sweet girls that run a club a babysitter's club one girl Stacy the pretty blonde is a very good charcter i like how she meets Luca its a movie about true friendship and good- hearted humor and and seven girls wanting to help out people this is a great movie i totally apporve!
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| Topics: | book characters, friendship |
| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Melanie Mayron |
| Cast: | Ellen Burstyn, Larisa Oleynik, Rachael Leigh Cook, Schuyler Fisk, Tricia Joe |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 14, 1995 |
| DVD release date: | September 16, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | brief mild language |
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