The Babysitters

Plot synopsis:
The movie begins with a voice over by Shirley Lyner (Waterston) as we are shown her babysitting service, a cabin with middle-aged men and teenage girls. A flashback takes us to Shirley being picked up by Michael Beltran (Leguizamo) for a babysitting job. After she is finished, they dine together and flirt with each other. Michael is frustrated with his wife and Shirley finds guys her age to be too immature.
Michael and his wife Gail (Nixon) meet with Michael’s friend Jerry (Comeau), who has a business offer for Michael. Gail is frustrated that Michael wants to take it, while Michael gets curious about an abandoned train yard behind the restaurant that Gail shows no interest in. When Michael is driving Shirley home that night, they stop at the train yard and explore it, eventually sharing a kiss and having sex. Michael pays Shirley extra.
Melissa (Lauren Birkell) discovers the truth about babysitting outings from Shirley and Michael tells Jerry about it. Michael asks Shirley if any of her other friends can “babysit” and her friend Melissa volunteers. Shirley asks her for 20% of the money as her cut to which Melissa agrees. They convince their friend Brenda (Louisa Krause) to take the babysitting job as well and the girls set up a working business, going so far as to have business cards printed up. Michael learns that Shirley is babysitting for others besides him, which makes him uncomfortable.
Problem arises when Brenda invites her rough and aggressive younger stepsister Nadine (Halley Wegryn Gross) into the group without checking with Shirley. She soon starts her own competing business behind Shirley’s back, and Shirley starts to lose customers. Shirley confronts Brenda and Brenda agrees to search Nadine's room. She reports back that she found nothing. With Michael 'on watch', Shirley and Melissa search Nadine's locker but find nothing. They trash the school to hide their true motive.
Melissa presents Shirley with fake permission slips for a trip to Jerry’s cabin for a weekend. The girls will be going under the make-believe of a school trip, while the men will be there on a “business retreat”. Michael is uncomfortable with Shirley being with other guys at the party. Jerry has supplied drugs at the party and attempts to rape Brenda.
Brenda wants to quit and Shirley agrees but Melissa is worried that Brenda will talk. Melissa has several of their customers attack and threaten Brenda’s brother, while Shirley gets angry at Melissa.
Michael’s wife confronts him about his distance and that he has been lying about his job situation and Michael finally voices some of his frustrations about the marriage, while Gail responds with hers. Michael tries to encourage Shirley to run away with him, while Shirley reminds him that this is just business and he’s cheating himself. She then tries unsuccessfully to contact Brenda. She hears that Nadine is babysitting without her knowledge and calls Melissa, who is with Jerry, and they go to confront her. Shirley discovers that it is her own father that is with Nadine.
The movie ends with another voiceover by Shirley. Across the street from Michael's house Shirley sees Michael interacting with his family.

Tags: violence, flashback

Review:
Well drawn characters, competent movie making, and a pleasing ambiguity that a big studio wouldn't dare leave in, lest the audience actually decide how to feel for themselves.
To be fair: things unfold a little quickly, people accept their situations a little easier than they might in real life, but this is a pretty short movie, and throwing in more angst would be overkill and overlong on screen.
The well-acted indie drama "The Babysitters" takes what appears on the surface to be fairly salacious and distasteful material and turns it into a scathing attack on contemporary mores and values.Shirley (Katherine Waterston) is an attractive suburban high school student who decides to make a little extra money babysitting for the young son of a local couple.
When the husband, Michael (John Leguizamo), who is clearly unhappy in his marriage, pays to have sex with her at the end of the night, Shirley comes up with a scheme to parlay that into a full-fledged teen-prostitution ring, with Michael lining up other clients among his married buddies and Shirley setting herself up as a sort of "madam," "hiring" her friends from school to serve as under-aged "call girls." But the folks involved soon discover that, when it comes to affairs of the heart and of the loins, one can't always dictate how things will turn out.Writer/director David Ross aims at a wide range of targets, from the sterility of suburbia and middle class marriage to middle-aged men who refuse to grow up – and who, instead of serving as moral guides for the girls, are willing to exploit them for their own perverted needs - to the capitalist system itself, at least as embodied by the "enterprising" young entrepreneur, Shirley, who often has to stoop to ruthless and dictatorial tactics to ensure the viability and survival of her business.But always, beneath it all, there is the intense sadness and emotional emptiness of the situation, as these attractive young ladies - who are really just confused and insecure kids under all the makeup, sexy clothing and alluring bravado - find themselves getting into something they can neither fully understand nor fully control.
Even Michael seems unable to separate the sex from his own more romantic feelings for Shirley as he battles with jealousy thinking about her with other men.
Yet, paradoxically, the exploitation goes both ways, as these "naïve" girls, particularly Shirley, wrap a bunch of immature middle-aged men around their little fingers, ultimately using the men's uncontrollable libido against them.It is this complicated twist that gives the film its darkly humorous tone and makes "The Babysitters" more than just a titillating and exploitative exercise in finger-wagging moral umbrage..
Stuck at home and recovering from a viral throat infection, I was looking for a couple of nice little cheesy movies that didn't take much brain power.
Katherine Waterston shone as Shirley, and managed to convey all of the awkwardness of her slightly neurotic teenage character, whilst still being completely convincing in later scenes where her inner core of steel shows through.
If there was a weak link here, I would say that perhaps there was not quite enough focus on the reactions of the teenage boys to what is going on around them - Scott's reaction to Shirley later in the film appears to come from nowhere.
Whilst I certainly never got involved in anything like this as a teenager, I found I was reminded very strongly of the amoral thing I once was, and rather grateful, in fact, that I was never given the choice that these girls are offered in the film.
An enterprising young woman sees a way to take control of her life and becomes a mastermind behind a society of young women whose lives are slowly shattered when they decide to use their charms to make some money.The film starts out slowly and then hits a few highs along the way, giving us a share of strong, controversial and provocative moments.
It is shocking at times, and there are a couple of lulls along the way that almost derail the film, but it is a movie that shows a side of teens that has probably never been shown before.
The sex scenes are probably the most interesting of the film, and mostly because that's really the only time where we really see the characters and what they're going through.
At one time you're in high school then you find yourself married with children looking back and wanting back those youthful days of freedom.
I loved the characters though I did wish that the movie didn't end so fast, I would have loved to see someone's wife find out.
There are a lot of interesting and sleazy events taking place in this film and oddly enough you'll find yourself glued to the seat begging for more craziness to happen as the story line unfolds.
These girls are not your typical high school students, don't expect anything but slightly tamed adult material from this flick.
This movie is both entertaining and highly unsatisfying; as unsure of itself as the teenage girls it depicts.
No pun intended, because the frequent sex scenes are among the film's most entertaining sequences.Almost every act committed by those in the film is immoral, illegal, or a terrible mixture of the two.
Grown adults, ranging from lonely elderly perverts to unhappily married businessmen, purchase time with teenage girls running a prostitution ring disguised as a babysitting business.
The film attempts to focus on the internal struggle of both the men and girls involved, but does little to form any kind of moral compass along the way.
As the movie progresses, you grow to dislike the greedy ringleader as well as the married men her clique sleeps with.Due to the lack of a leading protagonist, we are left with no one to cheer for.
The ending is, to say the least, highly disappointing and resolves no questions nor concludes the movie properly.This is the kind of film that demands a satisfying ending, but in the end, the viewer is left with more questions than answers.
So, for me, the movie was depending on John Leguizamo to carry it - and so he did.The story in "The Babysitters" is about a young girl who babysits for a family, and whilst driving her home in the evening, the dad invites her in to a diner for something to eat.
Eventually his friend finds out and wants in on the deal, and the babysitter bring in her friends to help servicing these adult men who have wives and kids.
The story is good enough in itself, although it does deal with a taboo subject, so the movie may not be suitable for just anyone.What made the movie watchable was the acting in the movie, because people really did great jobs with their given roles and characters.
And also the characters in the movie were really fleshed out nicely and in great detail."The Babysitters" is a story- and character-driven movie, so don't expect the movie to get up into a fast pace at any given moment.If you enjoy dramas that deal with issues that are not common day events - controversial events you might say - then "The Babysitters" might be just the right movie for you..
It was dark, yes, but it was a stretch to find anything to laugh about with teen girls being exploited by not only their father's peers, but by each other.For me, it could have succeeded as a study of serious moral dilemma, but the characters were far too superficial and there was little insight provided into their behavior.The Babysitters is an excuse to watch braless teens bounce across the screen, nothing more.
After she ends up having sex with one of her customers, a teenager decides to turn her babysitting job into an illicit escort agency, with herself and her friends as the call-girls.
Things are great at first, but the reality of the situation she has put herself and her friends in starts to take its toll.I'll be honest – even before I started to watch 'The Babysitters', I wasn't feeling great about it.
A decent cast of good but unimpressive actors; a handful of sexy girls there to just be sexy; and a play on that lovely babysitter fantasy.
Very boring.Another problem is that Katherine Waterston (playing central character Shirley), as gorgeous as she is, just isn't a very good actor.
If you're going to base your film around a young actor, that actor better be good, and we didn't get that here.
The big name in the film is John Leguizamo.
But it's one shining light in a badly-made film.'The Babysitters' is watchable, but you're not going to enjoy it too much.
If you like your films, y'know, good, avoid it..
High schooler Shirley Lyner (Katherine Waterston) babysits for Michael (John Leguizamo) and Gail Beltran (Cynthia Nixon).
Shirley starts making out with Michael and then have sex.
OK, there is something slightly sleazy about watching a movie featuring high school girls making money providing sex to dads.Michael (John Leguizamo) and his wife (Cynthia Nixon) are falling into routine, and she is not interested in his hobby.
He and the babysitter (Katherine Waterston) fall into an illicit relationship.Soon, Shirly (Waterston) gets her friends into babysitting for $200 a pop and takes a cut.One of the girls (Louisa Krause) wants out and things go to hell.Waterston was really good, and I always enjoy Leguizamo in anything he does..
"The Babysitters" seems like the sort of movie that could debut the Sundance Film Festival.
It focuses on an anal-retentive teenage girl (Katharine Waterston, Sam's daughter) who turns her babysitting service into a prostitution business, only to have things take an unexpected turn.
Then again, they might need time to let things develop.Overall, I'd say that the movie is worth seeing, although you certainly have to have a long attention span.
Also starring John Leguizamo and Cynthia Nixon (of "Sex and the City")..
I had that movie uploaded along with some others ...due to summer fires we had a 4 hour blackout...luckily my laptop was fully charged so I watched it on the porch ...I did like it....the story is fairly common and most of the characters ordinary ...that is strangely it,s success...you can very easily recall similar situations that happened either to you or to people very close...most of the characters display some weaknesses here and there but the two protagonists top the list .It is so tragic to see Michael sacrifysing his infatuation for his family as well as Shirley acting tough while she hurts inside...I cannot say I knew miss Waterston but checking wiki I was surprised to see that by the time of the films release she already was pushing 27...she really looked much younger...if that was unintentional or she put an effort to it it works very positive for her...Conclusion...I liked it a lot and left me with a sad feeling....of how many times life plays us like dominoes.
I really enjoyed this movie, first off John Leguizomo gives a terrific performance in his role..
the movie deals with a bunch of sexy teenage girls perhaps bored and broke,, they offer "babysitting" services as a ruse for prostitution, with one of the girls dad's and all of his friends.
there is definitely a lot of sex in this movie obviously and we assume that most if not all of the girls are underage, so that's presents a moral and legal dilemma for the men involved.
will the men be caught and sent to jail for exploiting these teen girls,, or will the girls blackmail the dad's and get away with it,, lot's of tension and drama,, all the way till the final climax..
I marked it high because of the original script idea and the great acting, but I have to say that the ending could have been better.It is an audacious concept: babysitting teenagers are acting as high pay prostitutes for the fathers that drive them home.
I felt that the high school teens were much too eager to have sex with strangers and that the wives were terrible if they didn't smell anything suspicious.
The girls are all beautiful, Katherine Waterson plays great; John Leguizamo again brings great quality to a movie; the direction is really good.
While the film has a great story to tell, I felt that the script was a bit naive.Bottom line: it is a tensioned, raw even, autopsy of the real suburb feelings: the taken for granted wives, the ignored teenagers and the powerful urges of the overworked middle aged men, overlooked by their spouses..
"The Babysitters" could be classified as a Lifetime style movie mixed with a big handful of Cinemax sleaze, but is it ever fun to watch.
It's quite the guilty pleasure, but also a disturbing view of seedy suburban life.First time writer/director David Ross creates a world where seemingly every man is a depraved, sex obsessed creep.
One such man (the most "normal") is Michael played by John Leguizamo who is going through the proverbial mid-life crisis.
Married with two young boys he begins and illicit affair with the babysitter, Shirley played by Katherine Waterston.
When Michael tells his friends about Shirley's "services" they want her to babysit for them to.
There is no morality in this film and the main characters realize this as Shirley mentions to Michael that they're both going to hell for this.
The most outright uncomfortable and disturbing scenes take place in cabin when all the middle aged married guys get together with all the under age babysitter prostitutes.
1. All Men Are Pigs – Every male character in the film is portrayed in the least flattering light possible.
5. Don't Do Drugs - Hmmm Maybe this is an anti-drug movie since they're portrayed as being at the root of the Beltran's marital problems as well as a primary precipitant in Brenda's breakdown and the decline and fall of the babysitters company.Definitely worth a nod, I give it a solid '8' almost a '9'!
I can imagine some director sitting down and going "Hmm. I've got a great movie idea.
Check this out: a high school girl recruits her friends to be call girls under the auspices of babysitting and turns into a ruthless pimp." Good idea for an edgy movie, right?
How does a girl with OCD decide it's a good idea to destroy a school?
I guess Adult-Teen romance will seldom find a happy ending.I give the movie 2 thumbs up..
The only issue I have with this movie was the pairing up of John Leguizamo and Cynthia Nixon as a married couple.
I would recommend watching this movie, definitely worth your time..
Somewhat better than I expected, high school girls form a prostitution ring..
So I saw it in 4 or 5 sittings.So the movie begins as just another slice of urban life, parents go to work, kids go to school, and some of the girls get babysitting jobs in the evening.
She is surprised when he gives her a wad of money for her "babysitting", $200 in all.So he gets hooked on his young lover and after a few $200 nights she realizes this can be profitable for her and a select few of her close friends.
The girl who organized it all gets her 20% and soon business is in full swing.Of course there has to be a downside to all this, and that is the moral of the whole movie, teenage girls in high school can't get into the prostitution business without some competition and finally some breakdowns fueled by guilt.Overall it is well made and well acted.
The daughter of veteran actor Sam Waterston is the lead girl, and the only one who bares her chest during the movie.
Even though the story involved "underage" girls, in reality they were all in their 20s, and the Waterston girl was 26 during filming..
The babysitters is far from a dark comedy, but I must agree it was an excellent film.
I thought the majority of the sex scenes were filmed in good taste.
The film left me wondering how gritty this movie ended up being.
I agree that it showed men as shallow and selfish, but the girls were profiting which I think made sense.
Only Cynthia Nixon's uptight suburban character was plausible because she played the same role in Sex in the City.
This was a gross film about gross people doing gross things.
I'll just keep thinking of John Leguizamo as Benny Blanco; it will make this character go away and I'll feel better.
This is a light-hearted comedy about a teen girl who possess the drive and ambition to turn her baby sitting service into sexual smörgåsbord of under-age delights.
Shirley (Katherine Waterston) the head of the babysitters acts as the fun loving pimp who makes her friends and their little sister available to babysit to families in the area.
After a night of watching the little tykes the girls will be driven home by the fathers, then perform sexual acts with the middle aged men.
Not only do these girls gain helpful business experience and make serious coin, but they also help raise the morale of the husbands and fathers with cash to spare.The most moving and romantic sequence in this movie is the scene at the cabin in the bathroom.
THe music was good, John Leguizamo was a shocker to see in such a film, but in a way this was just really gritty if one thinks about the extents some go to make a buck, or seek what they believe they need to give them happiness or fulfillment.
As always things get too big and too emotional or else there wouldn't be any conflict and all we would have to watch is teen girls having sex.
The drama of teen girls was on the boring side.