THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 24, 1995 TAG: 9502240062
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
SURPRISE, SURPRISE. ``The Brady Bunch Movie'' isn't half as bad as you thought it would be.
The secret is that the moviemakers have chosen to spoof the original rather than - ugh - repeat it. The Brady Bunch are just as sweet and synthetic as they were in the 1970s, but they are set smack down in the middle of the 1990s.
They live a sitcom life in which the major problem of the moment is that the eldest daughter has two dates for the prom. In the real world, the prom guests now enter the gym by passing through metal detectors and the balloons are inflated condoms. No matter. The Bradys see it all as wholesome and sweet.
The way was paved by the off-Broadway success of a Brady Bunch theatrical ``event,'' which was no more than some aged members of the original cast re-enacting episodes. Baby boomers turned out in force and hooted. Then there were Brady cast members doing some ultra-naughty skits on MTV. The Bradys have become viable camp.
Director Betty Thomas, who warmed up with the funny HBO series ``Dream On,'' has hit just the right note of culture-clash satire for much of this movie.
Shelley Long (whose post-``Cheers'' movie career has come to naught) plays Carol Brady with a vacant stare. About all she has to do is say, ``Quiet! Your father has something to say'' and, moments later, proclaim, ``Your father is right.''
Gary Cole is papa Mike Brady, issuing sanctimonious speeches about friends, life, sunshine and the right way to live. He earns his money by keeping a straight face.
Christine Taylor is Marcia, the pretty one, but Jennifer Elise Cox has the best moments as Jan, the plain sister who hears voices telling her how she might someday get her revenge. Olivia Hack, complete with pigtails, is the cute and perky Cindy, skipping her way about the neighborhood.
Henriette Manel is now Alice, the maid who apparently works for free. RuPaul, TV's noisiest drag person, shows up as the school's guidance counselor.
There are also laughable cameos by Ann B. Davis, the original maid; Florence Henderson, the original mom; and Barry Williams, the original Greg.
The minimal plot is about how the Bradys owe $20,000 in back taxes and are about to lose their spiffy home, which still has an Astroturf lawn and a scrubbed-clean look.
The Bradys never notice that there are naughty touches, including numerous double-entendres. Jean Smart (``Designing Women''), the neighbor next door, has the hots for the Brady guys. ``Tell your father that when Christmas comes, I'll be glad to wrap his package'' she tells one of the oh-so-innocent children.
All this is not really enough to fill 90 minutes, but it is fitfully amusing. Hopefully, no sequel will be necessary, but there are several good laughs for the baby boomers.
In fact, the movie sends you away just a little bit apprehensive about what's happened to real life, as well as situation comedies, since the 1970s.
Now, we need metal detectors. ILLUSTRATION: Shelly Long and Gary Cole
1990s Bradys are as sweet and synthetic as they were in the '70s.
MOVIE REVIEW
``The Brady Bunch Movie''
Cast: Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Michael McKean, Jean Smart,
RuPaul
Director: Betty Thomas
Screenplay: Laurice Elehwany, Rick Copp, Bonnie Turner, Terry
Turner
MPAA rating: PG-13 (double-entendres galore, but only the adults
will get most of them)
Mal's rating: **1/2
Locations: Columbus, Lynnhaven Mall, Surf-N-Sand in Virginia
Beach; Janaf and Main Gate in Norfolk; Movies 10 and Greenbrier in
Chesapeake.
by CNB