Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead starts with an enjoyable, if crude, black comedy situation promised by the title, but then it turns into an incredibly dumb teenage girl's fantasy of making it in the business world.
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
No rules. No curfews. No baths. No nagging. No pulse.
1991 · 1h 45m · PG-13
Comedy, Family
Directed by
Stephen Herek
Overview
Sue Ellen Crandell is a teenager eagerly awaiting her mother's summer-long absence. While the babysitter looks after her rambunctious younger siblings, Sue Ellen can party and have fun. But then the babysitter abruptly dies, leaving the Crandells short on cash. Sue Ellen finds a sweet job in fashion by lying about her age and experience on her résumé. But, while her siblings run wild, she discovers the downside of adulthood
Director and cast
- Stephen Herek Director
- Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandell
- Joanna Cassidy as Rose Lindsey
- Josh Charles as Bryan
- Keith Coogan as Kenny Crandell
- John Getz as Gus
- Concetta Tomei as Mom
- Danielle Harris as Melissa Crandell
- Robert Hy Gorman as Walter Crandell
- Kimmy Robertson Cast
- Eda Reiss Merin Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
Miss Applegate is charming when the screenplay allows her to slow down. Working against her is the director, Stephen Herek, who pushes every gag so hard and fast that he seems to be keeping up with a laugh track only he can hear.
Blame the smash of Home Alone for the new herd of kids-on-the-loose movies. Let's hope none are dumber than this one.
Bummer.
Once the babysitter dies and her body is deposited anonymously on the steps of a funeral home, the movie is free to reveal its real purpose: This is a consumerist, escapist fantasy for teenage girls.
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