The Brady Bunch Movie

The Brady Bunch Movie
Name	The Brady Bunch Movie
Director	Betty Thomas
Producer	Lloyd J. Schwartz, David Kirkpatrick
Writer	Terry Turner, Bonnie Turner, Rich Kaplan
Starring	Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Christine Taylor, Paul Sutera, Jennifer Elise Cox, Christopher Daniel Barnes
Music	Guy Moon
Cinematography	Mac Ahlberg
Editing	Peter Teschner
Studio	Paramount Pictures, MCA Music Entertainment Group
Released	February 17, 1995
Runtime	90 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$12 million
Gross	$46.6 million

The Brady Bunch Movie is a 1995 American comedy film based on the 1970s television series The Brady Bunch, created by Sherwood Schwartz. The film features Shelley Long as Carol Brady, Gary Cole as Mike Brady, and Christine Taylor as Marcia Brady, alongside Paul Sutera as Greg Brady, Jennifer Elise Cox as Jan Brady, and Christopher Daniel Barnes as Bobby Brady. The movie is a satirical take on the original series, with the characters navigating the challenges of the 1990s while maintaining their 1970s values and lifestyle, reminiscent of other classic sitcoms like The Partridge Family and The Waltons.

Plot

The Brady Bunch Movie follows the misadventures of the Brady family as they try to fit in with their modern surroundings, often finding themselves at odds with their more contemporary neighbors, such as Larry Dittmeyer, played by Michael McKean. The family's attempts to adapt to the 1990s are frequently thwarted by their outdated values and habits, leading to humorous conflicts with characters like Eric Dittmeyer, played by Jack Noseworthy, and Mona, played by Alanna Ubach. As the family navigates these challenges, they must also contend with the schemes of their nemesis, Larry Dittmeyer, who is determined to buy their house and tear it down, much like the villainous characters in The 'Burbs and National Lampoon's Vacation.

Production

The Brady Bunch Movie was directed by Betty Thomas, known for her work on Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D., and produced by Lloyd J. Schwartz, the son of Sherwood Schwartz, and David Kirkpatrick, who also worked on The Wonder Years and Home Improvement. The screenplay was written by Terry Turner and Bonnie Turner, who are also known for their work on 3rd Rock from the Sun and That '70s Show, in collaboration with Rich Kaplan, who worked on Married... with Children and The Nanny. The film features a mix of original and period-specific music, including songs by The Beach Boys and The Mamas & The Papas, and was shot on location in Los Angeles and Studio City, California.

Cast

The Brady Bunch Movie features a talented ensemble cast, including Shelley Long as Carol Brady, Gary Cole as Mike Brady, and Christine Taylor as Marcia Brady, alongside Paul Sutera as Greg Brady, Jennifer Elise Cox as Jan Brady, and Christopher Daniel Barnes as Bobby Brady. The film also features appearances by Michael McKean as Larry Dittmeyer, Jack Noseworthy as Eric Dittmeyer, and Alanna Ubach as Mona, as well as Jean Smart as Dina Dittmeyer and David Spade as Doug Williams, who is reminiscent of his characters in Saturday Night Live and Just Shoot Me!.

Release

The Brady Bunch Movie was released on February 17, 1995, by Paramount Pictures and was a commercial success, grossing over $46 million at the box office, making it a notable film of 1995, alongside Toy Story and Apollo 13. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its lighthearted and humorous take on the original series, similar to other successful sitcom adaptations like The Addams Family and The Flintstones.

Reception

The Brady Bunch Movie received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its clever writing and strong performances from the cast, particularly Shelley Long and Gary Cole, who have also appeared in notable films like Outrageous Fortune and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The film holds a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from critics like Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who have also reviewed films like The Silence of the Lambs and Schindler's List. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $46 million at the box office, making it a notable film of 1995, alongside Se7en and GoldenEye.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for The Brady Bunch Movie features a mix of original and period-specific music, including songs by The Beach Boys and The Mamas & The Papas, as well as a score by Guy Moon, who has also worked on The Simpsons and American Dad!. The soundtrack also features performances by Christine Taylor and Jennifer Elise Cox, who sing and dance to classic 1970s hits like "I Think I Love You" and "Sunshine Girl", reminiscent of the musical numbers in Grease and Hairspray. The soundtrack was released on MCA Records and features a total of 12 tracks, including the hit single "It's a Sunshine Day", which has become a classic of 1990s pop culture, alongside other notable songs like "Waterfalls" and "Gangsta's Paradise".

Category:1995 films