Jamie (Kimberly J. Brown) is a high school student who is enjoying her life. She's loving it so much, she's constantly talking to the audience, bragging about how great everything is, similar to the new series at the time "Malcom in the Middle". She is shocked, but still annoyingly happy, when she finds her parents (especially her mother) are pregnant, and even more a delight is to be found when they reveal it's not one baby but five, hence the title of this stupid Disney made for TV movie, "Quints". The babies become too much, so they hire a strict, short lived nanny, Fiona. Fiona is an example of a character that is extremely over the top, but still somewhat works comically, played by forgotten ex-SNL member Robin Duke. Jamie starts trying to help with the babies. The babies then become a big TV hit, and chaos ensues, though laughter and fun is what I believe the director was going for.
This movie will only appeal to young kids, which is the only audience it must be going for, so in this way it works. Kimberly J. Brown is certainly a charismatic lead, but her constant toothy smile, followed by her stereotypical "put the eyes and head down" sad face get old real fast, as do her monologues to the audience. The movie often goes for a surreal feel, including unrealistic daydreams which require good special effects, but here the special effects are terrible. The entire movie shouts out "Disney Channel Movie", which in turn in shouting out, "Mediocrity!"
This is a dumb movie, and not great for anyone, but little kids will probably enjoy it.
My rating: ** out of ****. 80 mins. G.
