The Brady Bunch Movie

The Brady Bunch Movie, released in 1995, is a comedy based on the classic television series that aired from 1969 to 1974. The movie is directed by Betty Thomas and features an ensemble cast led by Shelley Long, Gary Cole, and Christine Taylor. The film is a satirical take on the original show, and it is known for its clever adaptation of the iconic characters and wacky humor.

The Brady Bunch Movie takes place in the 1990s but is set in the world of the Brady family from the 1970s. The film follows the lives of the Brady family, a blended family consisting of a father, Mike Brady (played by Gary Cole), and his three sons, Greg (Christopher Daniel Barnes), Peter (Paul Sutera), and Bobby (Jesse Lee). Mike falls in love with Carol Martin (Shelley Long), a widow with three daughters, Marcia (Christine Taylor), Jan (Jennifer Elise Cox), and Cindy (Olivia Hack), so they get married and combine their families in a groovy suburban home.

The movie is filled with numerous references to the original series, including several of the Brady family's catchphrases and iconic moments. The Brady family is portrayed as being stuck in the past, with their shag carpeting, avocado-colored kitchen appliances, and floral wallpaper. However, this is contrasted with the modern world they find themselves in, as they struggle to fit in with their eccentric neighbors and their quirky ways of life.

The central plot of the film revolves around the Brady family's financial struggles, as they are at risk of losing their home due to overdue taxes. In an effort to save their beloved abode, the Brady kids hold a fundraiser to raise the money needed to pay off the debt. However, things take a hilarious turn when the kids' attempts to raise the funds backfire in comedic and unpredictable ways.

The movie's humor is built upon the absurdity of juxtaposing the Brady family's old-fashioned values and lifestyle with the modern world they inhabit. The film contains numerous jokes centered on the family's out-of-date clothing, hairstyles, and music tastes, as well as their wholesome and naive attitudes towards sex, drugs, and pop culture. The Brady Bunch Movie pushes the comic envelope further by introducing the character of their next-door neighbor, Mrs. Dena Dittmeyer (Michael McKean), a greedy and manipulative land developer who tries to capitalize on the Brady's situation by attempting to buy their home for her development plan.

The Brady Bunch Movie also satirizes Hollywood's penchant for remakes and reboots. In one scene, the Brady family appears on a fictitious game show called "The Weakest Link, Brady Edition" where they are asked questions about their own show. This meta-referencing is played up for laughs as the Brady family struggles to remember details about their own episodes.

The film's ensemble cast is a highlight, with Shelley Long delivering an excellent performance as the warm, maternal Carol Brady, who tries to keep her family together and support her husband's efforts to provide for them. Gary Cole's portrayal of Mike Brady is also noteworthy, as he perfectly captures the original's patriarchal values and corny jokes. The Brady kids, played by a range of young actors, all give delightful performances, particularly Christine Taylor as the vapid and self-obsessed Marcia Brady, and Jennifer Elise Cox as the neurotic and insecure Jan Brady.

Overall, The Brady Bunch Movie is a clever and entertaining satire that plays homage to the classic TV show while also poking fun at its outdated sensibilities. It's a fun, lighthearted film that celebrates the Brady family's unique charm and enduring popularity.