The Sitter (1991) Reviews

• A gripping thriller, but a flawed remake

  Liza-192003-05-30

  I first caught this on television ten years ago and loved it - although in hindsight I was too young to watch it. It was a fantastic story, and very scary (especially if you're still at the age where you have babysitters!) Kim Myers turned in a wonderful performance as Nell. The character is definately a nut, but you do feel sorry for her. That's not an easy thing to pull off, and honestly the only other film I can think of that does accomplish this is Stephen King's Carrie. (Granted, Kim Myers is no Sissy Spacek, but she does a dang good job!) I've noticed there are many reviewers here that ask the question "who would hire a babysitter that they've known for five minutes?" I'm sorry to have to say it, but several. I myself babysat all the time when I was in highschool, and often for complete strangers. I knew the children a lot better than I ever knew the parents, and the situation with Nell entering the hotel room for the first time is a scene that I've lived through hundreds of times. The parents, rushed to make an engagement see a clean-cut, respectable looking girl, and feel safe in entrusting their children to them. Talk about scary. However, I have to say, this film does fall short from it's original. I didn't know this for years, but "The Sitter" is quite obviously a remake of Marilyn Monroe's "Don't Bother to Knock." As fond as I am of this version, I have to say Monroe's was ten times better. Richard Widmark and Anne Bancroft were fabulous supporting players and Marilyn gave a hugely understated performance. The supporting players in this fell short, and I thought the violence was overdone. This updated version is scary, but watch the original for a side of Monroe you've never seen.

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• This is a re-make of Marilyn Monroe's "Don't Bother to Knock"!

  MarieGabrielle2006-05-31

  For anyone who loved the original, it is quite a contrast. The original story starred Marilyn Monroe, Richard Widmark and Anne Bancroft. This film was made in 1991, with Kim Myers, from a "Nightmare on Elm Street"" That being said, if it is a rainy night and you are bored, you may find it more entertaining than the tripe fed to the public on regular cable. The theme is interesting, and while Brett Cullen is nowhere near Widmark( who ever could be) and Myers is nowhere near Monroe with her pathos and luminosity- the story is interesting. I would certainly rather watch a fictional account of a psychopathic baby-sitter, and what may happen; but you must also rent or buy "Don't Bother to Knock" after you see this film. Monroe's performance was brilliant, and Widmark menacing as ever. Give this film a chance.

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• A great dramatic thriller.

  famousgir12001-10-10

  The Sitter is a very exciting thriller about a strange woman named Nell, who dreams of having a great life and a lovely husband. She watches old classic movies and keeps a diary of her fantasies. She lives with her horrible aunt, who's always a right b*tch and her uncle, who's not too bad. One day, her uncle who works as an elevator guy in a hotel overhears a conversation between a couple who say they are looking for a baby-sitter to look after there daughter, Melissa for the night. The uncle recommends Nell. Now, of course who on earth would leave there child with a stranger? I of course sure wouldn't and I'm sure no one else would. But, still in this MOVIE, of course the couple did. I guess the couple trusted the elevator guy and the conference they had to attend was in the hotel, so they decided to go ahead with it, even though the mother wasn't to happy about it. When the uncle tells Nell about this, she's of course very happy and excited and when she meets the daughter Melissa, she likes her even more than she thought she would and believes that Melissa is her daughter. This leaves Nell on murder spree with her killing a dog, her aunt and uncle and even a maid, who finds blood in the hotel room and tries to tell someone about Nell. Even though what Nell did was of course absolutely terrible, some scenes left you feeling sorry for her because she's led such a bad life, especially with her horrible aunt and having no friends, job, etc. Kim Myers who plays Nell gives a really good performance and Kimberly Cullum who plays Melissa is okay, she seems a bit like a brat though. The Sitter is definitely not just 'another baby-sitter movie' and it's one I'd recommend it to anyone. It's great and I give The Sitter a 10/10.

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• BAD

  Nancy-401999-09-20

  I had nothing better to watch but this movie, it was extremely stupid and predictable, don't waste your time or your money watching it. This family needs a babysitter and the bell man at the hotel they are staying at says his niece can baby sit and his niece has a break down kills everyone, including her aunt and uncle! and she has this fantasy that she lives in. She's a sick person. oh yeah what kind of parents would let their daughter stay with a girl they met for approximately 5 minutes???

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