A Very Brady Sequel
A man claiming to be Carol Brady's long-lost first husband, Roy Martin, shows up at the suburban Brady residence one evening. An impostor, the man is actually determined to steal the Bradys' familiar horse statue, a $20-million ancient Asian artifact.
Working with a modest budget of $12.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $21.4M in global revenue (+79% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Very Brady Sequel (1996) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Arlene Sanford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Carol Brady
Mike Brady
Roy Martin
Greg Brady
Marcia Brady
Jan Brady
Peter Brady
Cindy Brady
Bobby Brady
Alice Nelson
Main Cast & Characters
Carol Brady
Played by Shelley Long
The eternally optimistic matriarch of the Brady family who maintains 1970s values in the 1990s
Mike Brady
Played by Gary Cole
The straight-laced architect father who leads the family with rational problem-solving and old-fashioned wisdom
Roy Martin
Played by Tim Matheson
A con artist claiming to be Carol's presumed-dead first husband, seeking a hidden fortune
Greg Brady
Played by Christopher Daniel Barnes
The oldest Brady son, a confident ladies' man navigating college life and romantic confusion
Marcia Brady
Played by Christine Taylor
The popular eldest daughter whose perfect exterior masks growing confusion about her feelings
Jan Brady
Played by Jennifer Elise Cox
The insecure middle daughter constantly overshadowed by Marcia, struggling with identity issues
Peter Brady
Played by Paul Sutera
The middle son with a changing voice and awkward adolescent energy
Cindy Brady
Played by Olivia Hack
The youngest daughter with a lisp and tattletale tendencies
Bobby Brady
Played by Jesse Lee Soffer
The youngest son, earnest and innocent with childlike enthusiasm
Alice Nelson
Played by Henriette Mantel
The wise-cracking live-in housekeeper who serves as the family's confidante and voice of reason
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Brady family in their perfect 1970s bubble, blissfully unaware of the 1990s around them. Carol and Mike are happily married, the kids are their usual chipper selves, establishing the idyllic Brady world.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Roy Martin arrives claiming to be Carol's first husband who was presumed dead in the Grand Canyon. This disrupts the Brady family's perfect world and threatens Carol and Mike's marriage.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Carol decides she must accept Roy as her husband and moves out of Mike's bedroom, effectively ending her marriage to Mike. The family structure is broken as she chooses duty to her "first" husband., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Roy discovers clues about the valuable horse statue hidden in the house. Stakes raise as his true criminal intentions become clearer to the audience, while Carol becomes more conflicted about her feelings for both men., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Roy finds the horse statue and his true nature is revealed. He takes Carol hostage. The family's wholesome world is completely shattered, and Carol faces losing everything - her real husband, her family, potentially her life., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Brady family unites to rescue Carol. Carol fully recognizes Mike as her true husband and the strength of their real family bonds. They choose to fight for their family together with classic Brady ingenuity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Very Brady Sequel's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping A Very Brady Sequel against these established plot points, we can identify how Arlene Sanford utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Very Brady Sequel within the family genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Brady family in their perfect 1970s bubble, blissfully unaware of the 1990s around them. Carol and Mike are happily married, the kids are their usual chipper selves, establishing the idyllic Brady world.
Theme
Discussion about what makes a real family and staying true to who you are, even when the world around you changes. The theme of authentic identity versus external pressure is established.
Worldbuilding
Setup of the Brady family dynamics, their oblivious 70s lifestyle in the 90s, the kids' relationships, Mike's architecture work, and Carol's homemaking. The family's unified, wholesome nature is established.
Disruption
Roy Martin arrives claiming to be Carol's first husband who was presumed dead in the Grand Canyon. This disrupts the Brady family's perfect world and threatens Carol and Mike's marriage.
Resistance
The family debates what to do about Roy. Carol is confused about her past, Mike is uncomfortable but trusting, and the kids are suspicious. Roy moves into the house, creating tension and awkwardness.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Carol decides she must accept Roy as her husband and moves out of Mike's bedroom, effectively ending her marriage to Mike. The family structure is broken as she chooses duty to her "first" husband.
Mirror World
The kids begin investigating Roy, suspecting he's a fraud. Their subplot of detective work represents the thematic truth-seeking that Carol needs to embrace. Greg and Marcia also develop their awkward romantic tension.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Roy living with the Bradys - his schemes to find the hidden horse statue, the family's fish-out-of-water confusion, Mike's jealousy, and the kids' investigation creating comedy from the fractured family dynamic.
Midpoint
Roy discovers clues about the valuable horse statue hidden in the house. Stakes raise as his true criminal intentions become clearer to the audience, while Carol becomes more conflicted about her feelings for both men.
Opposition
Roy intensifies his search and manipulation. The kids gather evidence against him. Carol becomes increasingly torn. Mike suffers in silence. The family unity continues to crumble as Roy's presence corrupts their home.
Collapse
Roy finds the horse statue and his true nature is revealed. He takes Carol hostage. The family's wholesome world is completely shattered, and Carol faces losing everything - her real husband, her family, potentially her life.
Crisis
Carol is held captive by Roy. The family processes the betrayal and danger. Carol must confront her naiveté and recognize the truth about who her real family is and where she truly belongs.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The Brady family unites to rescue Carol. Carol fully recognizes Mike as her true husband and the strength of their real family bonds. They choose to fight for their family together with classic Brady ingenuity.
Synthesis
The Brady family works together to outsmart and capture Roy. Carol and Mike reaffirm their love. The kids' investigation pays off. Roy is defeated and arrested. The family structure is restored, stronger for having been tested.
Transformation
The Brady family back together in their home, even more unified and appreciative of each other. They remain their authentic 70s selves, having proven that their wholesome family values can withstand modern threats. Carol and Mike renew their bond.