The Sitter - revised red band trailer review Directed by: David Gordon Green Starring: Jonah Hill, Sam Rockwell, Ari Graynor Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: December 9, 2011
TRAILER SCORE: 3/10
Thoughts by TSR: What happened, David Gordon Green? Things began so well with three strong independent films, but those days seem to be behind us. In 2008 he made his first foray into the world of R-rated comedies and he hasn’t left. The first was Pineapple Express. I don’t love it as much as some, and it went down in favor slightly upon revisit, but it definitely makes me laugh. Then Your Highness happened. I find the best thing to do is simply forget about that one. So while it’s true I’m down on the director’s recent trajectory, I expect I’ll give him another chance someday. I’m not ready to break up with David Gordon Green for good, but this unfunny red band trailer for The Sitter makes it clear we need to take a break.
I’ve enjoyed a number of R-rated comedies this year. Unfortunately, if this trailer is any indication this film won’t be joining their ranks. There are individual pieces I like, but when put together the results are less than impressive. I like Jonah Hill and think he's a generally funny actor. The problem is none of the material he’s given here works for me. Swearing at a child might be humorous one time, but doing it multiple times causes the novelty to wear off. There isn’t much to be said about the rest of the cast. Ari Graynor makes some noise to begin the trailer and some kids (including Max Records from Where the Wild Things Are) make Hill’s life difficult. The highlight of the trailer is J.B. Smoove and Sam Rockwell briefly showing up as a pair of drug dealers. Still, even Rockwell’s presence isn’t enough to make me want to see this film.
I imagine there are a few people who watched Adventures in Babysitting and said, “Gosh, this movie needs two more things to be awesome. It could do with a lot more oral sex jokes, and it definitely needs a lot more Jonah Hill swearing at children!” If that sounds funny, by all means, go see The Sitter and have a blast. Unfortunately the trailer did nothing for me, so I’ll be sitting this one out.