The Jensen Project (NR)

Claire (Kellie Martin) and Matt Thompson are by all accounts a typical American couple -- but appearances hide the fact that they're both geniuses whose work once laid the groundwork for scientific breakthroughs at a secret research community called The Jensen Project. After leaving Jensen years ago under the stigma of failure, Claire has done her best to put the past behind her, but the facility’s leader, Ingrid (Patricia Richardson), returns to ask for her help when a scientist steals the plans for one of Claire’s designs and promises to sell it to the highest bidder. The black-market technology has dire implications for humanity itself, so the Thompsons -- along with their son, Brody -- agree to return to Jensen to lend a hand.

NBC’s attempt to revive Family Movie Night hits its mark with THE JENSEN PROJECT, which gives families plenty to talk about after tuning in. The intriguing (albeit fictionalized, of course) glimpse into top-secret scientific research will get everyone’s gears turning about where the world is today and where we’re headed in the future. In addition, the movie surfaces the debate over who should have access to such breakthroughs (and for what purpose they can be used), which will prompt discussions about right and wrong and human responsibility.

On a more personal level, The Jensen Project also strikes at the heart of struggles that many real families will relate to -- like feeling out of touch and losing trust in one another. All of the Thompsons battle individual uncertainties, magnified by their emotional distance from each other. The movie chronicles their journey back toward understanding and communicating with each other, which holds worthwhile lessons for families who watch.