REVIEW: Netflix’s “The Baby-Sitters Club” is as Amazing As We Hoped It Would Be
It is not often that a show about a group of middle schoolers leaves adults wanting more, but that is exactly what Netflix’s new series, The Baby-Sitters Club does. Based on the book series by Ann M. Martin, the series follows five friends, Kristy (Sophie Grace), Mary Anne (Malia Baker), Claudia (Momona Tamada), Stacy (Shay Rudolph) and Dawn (Xochitl Gomez) as they build their baby-sitters club in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
Fans of the book will not be disappointed as the episodes do well to bring Martin’s stories to life. The five leading ladies are so likeable in this series and delightfully relatable. The series is set in the modern day but the throwbacks to the original books are intertwined well with today’s new technology and culture. One of the most appealing aspects was how typical the young women were, and not in a bad way. The five leads are playing the ages they themselves are, which is refreshing to see on television.
The group rocks outfits that real middle school girls wear and their take on makeup and hair was much more realistic than some other middle school and high school television shows. These are young women going through young women problems. Every episode touched on a topic that everyone can relate to, whether it be sibling rivalry, parent problems, or issues with self-confidence. Fans of the book series will find these themes comforting while new fans will easily find something in the series to love.
Grace, Baker, Tamada, Rudolph, and Gomez are perfect as our leads. Each character is brought to life on screen, flaws and features in all. From Kristy’s stubbornness, which Grace nails perfectly, to Claudia’s creativity, easily conveyed by Tamada, fans will fall in love with them and have a favorite by the end of the season. You can tell while the girls were bringing this show to life they truly enjoyed playing their characters and working with one another because of how they interact on screen together.
Alicia Silverstone plays Kristy’s mom and was the perfect casting choice for this character. The parents are key to the book series and the creators did well to make them a focal point in this series. Watching Silverstone and Grace on screen together were some of my favorite parts in the series. The two definitely were able to create that mother/daughter vibe needed to pull off their more emotional scenes.
The series stays pretty true to the book series and what you loved about it is not lost in this new series. The friendship between these five friends that shined so well in the books and brought millions of readers a sense of belonging all over the world, comes to life with ease in this adaptation. New fans will also be enthralled as this new version of the BSC is one for our current time: a bit fearless and a bit challenging.
The Baby-Sitters Club is the heartwarming show everyone needs in their lives right now. No matter how old you are, this show manages to find a way to leave you with a smile on your face. I highly recommend that everyone checks out this new series. You won’t be disappointed.
Grade: A+