TV show or Movie: Movie
Where to watch: Everywhere! It’s worth the rental money
Premise: The Bradys of the popular ’70s sitcom get thrust into the ’90s, with a whole new set of problems. The family’s house is in danger of being taken away by developer Larry Dittmeyer (Michael McKean) if the ever-positive brood can’t come up with $20,000. Parents Mike (Gary Cole) and Carol (Shelley Long) initially don’t fret, until Mike has difficulty getting any of his architectural designs sold. Fearing the worst, the six Brady kids decide to enter a talent contest and raise the money themselves.
Cast: Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Christine Taylor, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jennifer Elise Cox, Paul Sutera, Olivia Hack, Jesse Lee Soffer, Henriette Mantel
What it reminds me of: There was a television show from the 70s that it reminds me of, but I can’t put my finger on it.
Why I like it: A lot of people don’t understand that this movie is a parody. It pokes fun at the corniness of the family that so many people grew up with. It parodies how straight edge the family members are, how naive they are to any actual inconvenience or bad thing that could occur, and how the family can break out in synchronized song and dance at any given time. One of my favorite scenes is when Greg and Marcia are held up in a carjacking, but they accidentally get away by telling the criminal that it is a car, but their name is definitely not Jack.
The movie is chock-full of stars, some with some great cameos. Michael McKean and Jean Smart play the neighbors, with McKean being one of the main antagonists. The original Alice and Bobby pop up in the movie playing small, but great parts. Ru Paul plays Jan’s guidance counselor and helps her reinvent herself after she is driven mad from jealousy for Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.
It has been too long since I have seen this movie last year, but I will tell you I still know the songs by heart. I still occasionally break out singing when I am in a Macy’s or another department store.
If you are a fan of the original show, the Monkees, satire, this movie is for you.
Trailer: