An illicit kiss between high-schooler Shirley Lyner (Katherine Waterston) and her married babysitting client Mr. Beltran (John Leguizamo) leads to a bigger tip than usual, so the enterprising teen decides to start a babysitting-escort service that matches middle-aged guys with nubile girls for a fee.
Big question: Is this as gross as it sounds?
Skip it: To answer the question: Yep, and more! Things only get ickier after the very first uncomfortable kiss between Waterston and Leguizamo, especially whenever Mr. B's repulsive friend (Andy Comeau) shows up. Lanky, lovely leading lady Waterston (who brings to mind a young Laura Linney) helps make the film more watchable than it would be otherwise, but "The Babysitters" ultimately plays like the pilot for an awful, misguided joint venture between FX and the CW.
Catch it: To feel sorry for Cynthia Nixon in the thankless role of Mrs. Beltran. Her "Sex and the City" character would not approve.
Bottom line: To his credit, first time writer-director David Ross isn't interested in straight-up exploitation (Waterston's sole topless scene is as lingering as it is gratuitous, but at least it's the only one). Yet his debut is never credible enough to be a provocative moral drama or funny enough to qualify as a wry suburban comedy, resulting in a muddled presentation of awkward sexual situations building to a wildly anti-climactic ending.
Bonus: Performing runs in Waterston's blood. She's the daughter of former "Law & Order" star Sam Waterston and has a brother and sister who also act.
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