The Brady Bunch Movie
The Brady Bunch was one of the most popular shows of the 70's. I'm not exactly sure why, because I never found the shows funny. Maybe if I were to watch some of them again, I would understand why so many people liked the show. But why watch the old version of the show, when you can watch the new and improved version, which happens to be funnier and smarter.
The Brady Bunch Movie is a very funny movie, but it feels like it was four episodes in one. The result is a messy, but mostly funny semi-spoof of that old show. If only the director had centered around one plot, instead of several, it might have been better. The four plots consist of: 1) Jan's jealousy of Marcia (the funniest of them all), 2) Marcia's conflict over a boyfriend, 3) The family being ridiculed because of the way they dress and act, and 4) The family trying to be pushed out of their house (the least funny).
The first plot, Jan's jealousy, is hysterical. Jan (Jennifer Elise Cox) is right in the middle of the family. Marcia (Christine Taylor) gets all the attention and her little sister is just cute. Jan dreams about cutting Marcia's hair off, but even then her parents think she's gorgeous. Jan just can't seem to get it right. I felt sorry for her, but I was amused, because Jennifer Elise Cox does a terrific job of portraying Jan. When she replays the famous football-in-Marcia's-face scene, she smiles evilly. But when she wakes up, she finds Marcia's nose completely healed. Jan screams and fears the inevitable: Marcia is the beautiful one again.
The second plot isn't very funny, and it even gets raunchy (in its own way). Marcia has two different dates to a dance at school, but she doesn't know who to ask. She finally lets the guy, who asked her first, down. The other guy is one of the most popular guys in school. Unfortunately, he is also the biggest loser in the school. He hits on Jan, who declines to... you know, and he makes her get out of the car. If that isn't enough, there is a girl at school that also likes Marcia, and during a sleepover scene, puts her hand on Marcia's leg. ("Oh...I though that was my leg.")
The third plot is the second funniest one. The family's reaction to the 90's world is hilarious to watch, because they are so innocent that they don't even understand what a carjacking is. (The scene where Greg and Marcia outwit the carjacker is one of the funniest moments in the movie) The next door neighbors hate the Brady's but the "bunch" doesn't seem to realize that they are annoying everyone. One of the neighbors hits on the older Brady's but nothing seems to bring them out of their world. They consider themselves "hip" but everyone is laughing behind their backs.
The fourth and final plot is the worst of the four. The Ditmeyers (Michael McKean and Jean Smart) are trying to get everyone on the block out. They have succeeded on every family, except the Brady's. The Brady's don't want to move, but a $20,000 mortgage payment is due. If they don't pay, the house goes up for auction. The family tries everything to raise enough money, but every time they fall short. Jan falls upon a sign for a contest. The award is $20,000. Without giving away too much of the plot, they sing an oldies song and dance in bright, flourescent costumes. It's not very funny and it only serves as a hook for the rest of the movie. They could have done without this one.
The Brady Bunch Movie is rated PG-13. It's ironic really, considering that the Brady's live in a G world, with an R (maybe even NC-17) world just waiting to rip them out. There is nothing really offensive, but there are some sexual innuendos that cross the taste barrier. However, if you like a wonderfully funny, screwball comedy, this one just might satisfy your appetite.