Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead

The California sun blazed, promising a summer of freedom for the Crandell kids. Sue Ellen, eternally burdened by her younger siblings, Walter, Melissa and Zach, practically shoved her mom, Concetta, out the door for her long vacation. Freedom at last! The babysitter, a cranky old woman seemingly resurrected from the Stone Age, was their only obstacle. But fate, in the form of a sudden, unexpected demise, had other plans. Now, with no adult supervision and a mountain of debt left by the deceased, Sue Ellen is forced to step up. A fake resume, a desperate lie, and a whole lot of chaos later, she lands a coveted job in the L.A. fashion world, a realm light years away from dirty diapers and Walter’s insatiable hunger. Summer just got a whole lot more complicated.

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Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

When the Crandell family’s mother leaves for the summer, teenager Sue Ellen Crandell, portrayed by Christina Applegate, anticipates a season of freedom and fun, especially with a seemingly responsible babysitter in charge. However, their summer plans take an unforeseen turn when the babysitter unexpectedly passes away, leaving Sue Ellen and her siblings in a desperate situation, devoid of funds and adult supervision. Faced with the daunting prospect of revealing the truth, Sue Ellen decides to take matters into her own hands, landing a job at a fashion company by embellishing her resume. As Sue Ellen navigates the challenges of adulthood, managing demanding boss Rose Lindsey and charming co-worker Bruce, she must also maintain the charade while keeping her younger siblings, including the mischievous Walter, in line. Balancing her newfound career aspirations with the responsibility of family, Sue Ellen finds herself in increasingly comical and precarious situations, blurring the lines between adolescence and adulthood. As the summer progresses, Sue Ellen discovers hidden strengths and learns the true meaning of responsibility and family, all while desperately trying to keep the secret from her returning mother, leading to a climactic series of events that test their resilience and solidify their bond.

Details

In the sun-drenched suburbs of California, the uproarious comedy “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” unfolds when the Crandell children find themselves unexpectedly liberated from adult supervision for the summer. With their mother (Concetta Tomei) away, the eldest sibling, Sue Ellen (Christina Applegate), anticipates a season of carefree fun. However, their elderly babysitter’s sudden demise throws a wrench into their plans, leaving them not only unsupervised but also financially strapped. In a desperate attempt to keep the household afloat, Sue Ellen fabricates a resume and lands a coveted job at a prominent fashion company, managed by the discerning Rose Lindsey (Joanna Cassidy). As she navigates the unfamiliar world of adult responsibilities, juggling demanding deadlines and office politics, her siblings, including the mischievous Kenny (Keith Coogan), run wild, turning their home into a chaotic playground. Adding to the complications, Sue Ellen finds herself falling for the charming but oblivious Bryan (Josh Charles), all while trying to conceal her age and lack of experience from her skeptical boss, Gus (John Getz). The film masterfully blends slapstick humor with heartwarming moments of familial bonding, exploring themes of responsibility, resourcefulness, and the challenges of growing up, all set against a backdrop of 90s fashion and suburban mayhem.

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