Adventures In Babysitting

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING (aka A NIGHT ON THE TOWN) (15)
D: Chris Columbus
Touchstone/Silver Screen Partners III (Debra Hill & Linda Obst)
USA 🇺🇸 1987
98 mins
 
Comedy
 
W: David Simkins
DP: Ric Waite
Ed: Fredric Steinkamp & William Steinkamp
Mus: Michael Kamen
 
Elisabeth Shue (Chris Parker), Keith Coogan (Brad Anderson), Maia Brewton (Sara Anderson), Anthony Rapp (Daryl Coopersmith), Bradley Whitfield (Mike Todwell), Calvin Levels (Joe Gipp), Penelope Ann Miller (Brenda), Vincent D'Onofrio (Dawson)

When a date with her boyfriend is cancelled, a fun-loving teenager plans a quiet evening watching a neighbour's kids, but when her frantic friend, Debra, calls to be rescued from the dingy dangers of a downtown bus station, a dull evening explodes into riotous, hair-raising adventures as they get chased by gangsters, escape the knives & billets of warring subway gangs and sing the blues in a nightclub. A night on the town they'll never forget. 
A rather cheesy screenplay with stereotypical characters doesn't stop this movie being a real hoot, with a few moments of belly laughs and a genuine feelgood air about it. Elisabeth Shue's performance makes it all the more appealing and the 'babysitting blues' scene is just magic.
It's a real shame this didn't get as much attention as other teen-orientated comedies of the 1980's. It deserved better exposure.
7/10

The cast of Adventures In Babysitting
The cast of Adventures In Babysitting
Did You Know:
The project started in the 1960s, with Jane Fonda in mind for the lead role. It was abandoned in the 1970s, then Chris Columbus restarted it in the 1980s for his directorial debut. Jane Fonda was too old for the role by then, so it went to Bridget Fonda, who withdrew from the project before auditions began.

Award Wins & Nominations:


MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 2 (Best Actress in a Leading Role; Best Original Song)


OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none


BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none


OTHER WINS:

Paris Film Festival (Best Actress); Young Artist Awards (Best Young Actress - Comedy)