Naclear Family Play Analysis

NUCLEAR FAMILY is a broad comedy that does exactly what a comedy should do: it delivers the laughs. It’s also considered a buddy, road-trip adventure.

The premise of this delightful comedy is original and creative. It’s a plot that easily engages the audience. In addition, the script offers colorful, eccentric, and very charming characters. It’s a script that merits consideration.

The goal is clear: deliver Einstein to a bitter wife before she reveals a secret memo about the Atom Bomb. There’s a solid inciting event when she finds the memo and when the protagonist, Richard, agrees to talk to her about the top-secret project. There’s a solid catalyst when he makes a deal with her to meet Einstein.

The second act is goal-driven. The protagonist, Richard, is proactive and he has to

Granted, there’s good personal conflict between Richard and Einstein, and there’s a ticking clock to get to Heidi in time, but there’s room to identify the risk for Richard. It could be his job, it could be a promotion, or it could be something else.

Also, the ending climax needs to contain more tension. The idea that Richard makes the announcement about the atom bomb doesn’t contain much suspense or tension. It’s ironic (and clever), given that his goal has been to keep it a secret, but then he decides to release the classified information, but the climax still requires more tension.

In addition, there’s a subplot involving Richard and his terminally ill girlfriend, Arline. It’s actually the scene in the hospital that endears the audience to Richard. The moment comes when he shifts her pillows. It’s subtle, yet, very poignant act. Although they only share a few scenes together, they share sweet chemistry. However, the story doesn’t feel resolved.
Arline gives him good incentive and reminds him of whom he is, but one feels as if there should be a final scene between