Directed by
Arlene Sanford
Made by
Paramount Pictures
One evening, a man presenting himself as Carol’s (Shelley Long) long-lost first husband, Roy Martin (Tim Matheson), unexpectedly arrives at the Brady household. The Bradys, overwhelmed by his tale of amnesia and claims of undergoing plastic surgery due to an injury, readily accept him into their lives. Meanwhile, Mike (Gary Cole) has plans to secretly organize a second wedding and renewal of vows for himself and Carol as a surprise for their anniversary. However, Roy’s sudden appearance complicates matters significantly.
Throughout his stay, Roy’s demeanor is openly antagonistic, showering them with sarcasm that, amusingly, goes unnoticed by the family. The Brady family dynamic is intricate—Mike has three sons from a previous marriage, and Carol has three daughters. Alice, the ever-dedicated housemaid, adds to the household chaos. Among the children, Marcia stands out as the eldest and most sought after by boys, while Jan struggles with her self-image and has no luck in the dating department.
Roy, who seems to have ulterior motives, is overheard speaking on the phone, possibly about a horse-shaped artifact sent to be cleaned by Alice after a grape juice mishap. As his stay progresses, Peter (Paul Sutera), in an effort to find his path in life, starts idolizing Roy, modeling his behavior after him, which leads to frequent predicaments at the architecture firm where Mike works. In an unfortunate turn of events, Peter’s admiration causes him to act out during an internship, becoming preoccupied with Roy’s antics instead of focusing on his responsibilities. Notably, Mike uncovers that Roy’s mention of “the big house” is a euphemism for prison, raising red flags about Roy’s character.
In a misguided attempt to impress Marcia, Roy advises Jan to concoct a lie about having a boyfriend. However, Marcia sees through the deception. The kids soon discover that the horse artifact is at a nearby antique store for restoration, a situation that Roy tries to exploit. Just as plans unfold, Alice is disappointed after Roy dismisses her meatloaf, prompting her to add some magic mushrooms she found in his room to his dinner, resulting in a comical trip for Roy.
As the drama unfolds, Greg (Christopher Daniel Barnes) and Marcia (Christine Taylor) find themselves bundled into an attic-sharing arrangement when they both desire more space. Roy’s presence leads them to question their familial ties, which awkwardly stirs up romantic feelings between them that they both strive to keep under wraps.
Bobby (Jesse Lee Soffer) and Cindy (Olivia Hack) embark on a whimsical “Detective Agency” to locate Cindy’s missing doll. Their antics inadvertently reveal a photograph that unmasks Roy as Trevor Thomas, a con artist out to snatch a valuable horse statue worth $20 million. With their cover blown, the children relay their findings to Carol, who confronts Trevor. In a climactic twist, Trevor kidnaps Carol, whisking her away to Hawaii in a bid to sell the artifact to Dr. Whitehead (John Hillerman), while also keeping the kids and Alice bound to prevent interference.
Mike, now fully aware of Trevor’s duplicity, collaborates with the police and rushes to rescue Carol and the kids. In Hawaii, Carol escapes and arrives at Dr. Whitehead’s estate just before Trevor can execute his plan. The backstory reveals that Trevor was behind a tragic boating accident that claimed the life of Dr. Whitehead’s son and Carol’s first husband, adding emotional depth to their confrontation. In a pivotal moment, Mike arrives just in time to thwart Trevor’s desperate attempt for payment, resulting in Trevor’s arrest.
Dr. Whitehead offers the Bradys a hefty reward for the return of the artifact, but Mike, valuing the symbol of their family’s togetherness more, respectfully declines the money. In a touching gesture, Cindy gives her outgrown doll to Dr. Whitehead, showcasing the bonds of family love. Jan, who previously fabricated a fake boyfriend named George Glass, ends up meeting a real boy by the same name during their escapade in Hawaii, kindling a genuine romance.
As the family reunites at home for a vow renewal ceremony, in a generous act, Marcia concedes the attic space to Greg, emphasizing their sibling bond. The film concludes with Carol tossing her bouquet, which a whimsical genie named Jeannie catches, introducing an unexpected twist by claiming to be Mike’s first wife, leaving everyone in shock.
Roy's Unexpected Arrival
One evening, Roy Martin, who claims to be Carol's long-lost first husband, arrives at the Brady household. His story of amnesia and plastic surgery piques the family's interest, leading them to accept him quickly into their lives.
Secret Wedding Plans
Amidst Roy's arrival, Mike is busy organizing a surprise second wedding and vow renewal for Carol to celebrate their anniversary. This romantic plan is complicated by Roy's unexpected presence in their home.
Antagonistic Demeanor
Roy's stay becomes marked by his sarcastic and antagonistic behavior, which amusingly goes unnoticed by the Brady family. His antics create an unusual atmosphere, leading to tension and confusion within the household.
Peter Idolizes Roy
Peter begins to idolize Roy, seeking to model his behavior after him. Unfortunately, this admiration leads Peter to neglect his responsibilities during an internship at his father's architecture firm.
Suspicious Conversations
Roy is overheard on the phone discussing a horse-shaped artifact, indicating he may have ulterior motives for staying with the Bradys. The incident raises suspicions about his intentions.
Jan's Misguided Advice
In an attempt to impress Marcia, Roy wrongly advises Jan to lie about having a boyfriend. The deception quickly unravels as Marcia sees through Roy's manipulation, leading to further complications.
The Search for the Artifact
The children discover the horse artifact is at a nearby antique store for restoration, which Roy attempts to exploit for his own gain. This discovery adds to the family's mounting distrust of his motives.
Alice's Mischievous Dinner
After being insulted by Roy about her cooking, Alice adds a mystical twist to his dinner with magic mushrooms she found in his room. This comedic moment leads to unexpected hilarity during the meal.
Children's Detective Agency
Bobby and Cindy start a 'Detective Agency' to find Cindy's missing doll. Their playful antics lead them to uncover a photograph revealing Roy's true identity as a con artist.
Confrontation with Trevor
As the children share their findings with Carol, she confronts Roy, who is actually Trevor Thomas, a con artist after the valuable horse statue. The tense situation quickly escalates as Trevor resorts to kidnapping.
Kidnapping in Hawaii
Trevor kidnaps Carol and takes her to Hawaii in an effort to sell the horse artifact. Meanwhile, he keeps the children and Alice bound, escalating the stakes for the Brady family.
Carol's Escape
In a daring move, Carol manages to escape and reaches Dr. Whitehead's estate before Trevor can complete his transaction. This turns the tide in the family's attempt to rescue her from Trevor's clutches.
Mike's Timely Arrival
Just as tensions reach a peak, Mike arrives to thwart Trevor's plans, preventing him from receiving payment for the artifact. This crucial moment leads to Trevor's arrest and the return of the family.
Declining the Reward
After the successful rescue, Dr. Whitehead offers a handsome reward to the Brady family for their bravery. However, Mike declines, valuing the importance of family over monetary gain.
Twist Ending
In a surprising finale, Carol tosses her bouquet at the vow renewal ceremony, which is caught by Jeannie, a whimsical genie who claims to be Mike's first wife. The unexpected twist leaves the Brady family in a state of shock.
Carol Brady
Carol is the matriarch of the Brady family, known for her patience and nurturing nature. Throughout the film, she faces challenges posed by the sudden reappearance of her supposed first husband, exhibiting strength and resilience. Her emotional journey highlights the complexities of love and family loyalty.
Roy Martin/Trevor Thomas
Roy, who later reveals himself as the con artist Trevor, is a slippery figure whose charm hides his ulterior motives. His antagonistic behavior disrupts the Brady family's harmony, particularly impacting Peter, who idolizes him. His deceptive nature ultimately leads to a tense climax.
Mike Brady
Mike is the loving father and husband, often playing the peacemaker within the family. He is determined to organize a special event for Carol, showcasing his romantic side. Mike's protective nature surfaces when he discovers Trevor's true identity, pushing him into action to safeguard his loved ones.
Marcia Brady
Marcia is the eldest Brady daughter, navigating the complexities of growing up with grace and charm. Her interactions with Roy create tension as she faces conflicting feelings about her familial connections. Marcia’s character also embodies the challenges of adolescence and romantic intrigue.
Peter Brady
Peter struggles with his identity, particularly in relation to his admiration for Roy. This often leads him into trouble at the architecture firm, demonstrating the challenges of teenage pressure and the quest for approval. His character arc highlights the importance of self-discovery.
Cindy Brady
Cindy, the youngest daughter, exhibits curiosity and an adventurous spirit, leading her to embark on a detective mission. Her innocence contrasts with the unfolding adult themes, emphasizing the family's youthful perspective. Her relationship with her doll symbolizes childhood's simplicity and love.
Time period
The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting the family-oriented and comedic essence of the 1990s. The nuances of family interactions and relationships resonate with issues of identity and loyalty, common themes of the period.
Location
Brady household, Hawaii
The primary setting is the Brady household, a lively and chaotic family home filled with love and humor. Its warm atmosphere allows for a variety of family dynamics and interactions. The secondary location, Hawaii, adds an exotic backdrop, culminating in a high-stakes confrontation and representing a place of escape and resolution.
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Family Bonds
The film highlights the importance of family connections, loyalty, and togetherness. Throughout the events, the Brady family faces external threats yet remains united in their love and support for one another. This theme emphasizes that family ties can withstand adversity and the chaos of life.
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Deception
Deception plays a central role in the plot, primarily through Roy's character, who presents a false identity. As the story unfolds, various characters are misled, leading to moments of tension and humor. It explores how deception can fracture trust but can also unveil deeper truths.
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Adventure
The plot includes elements of adventure, particularly as the family travels to Hawaii. This not only serves as a backdrop for the climax but also symbolizes the journey of self-discovery for many characters. The characters engage in whimsical and daring antics that encourage them to confront their fears and desires.
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