“He’s like you, Dad, except he’s brilliant!” —Annie
Today’s quick review: Father of the Bride. George Banks (Steve Martin) melts down when his daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams) announces her engagement to Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern). Convinced she’s too young to marry, George looks for any possible excuse to call off the marriage. But with the help of his wife Nina (Diane Keaton), George lets go of his hang-ups and shifts focus to what really matters: throwing a wedding Annie will remember.
Father of the Bride is a romantic comedy about a man upset by the prospect of his daughter getting married. The movie is a remake of the Spencer Tracy classic, keeping the same basic plot but adding a few modern flourishes. Steve Martin plies his comedic craft as George Banks, a high-strung man who faces the challenge of planning and paying for his daughter’s wedding. Amusing comedy and a sweet story make Father of the Bride a modest success.
Father of the Bride falls back on a simple but reliable comedic formula: having George overreact to the events around him. Anything and everything sets George off, from Annie’s sudden engagement to Bryan’s personality to the chaos of planning the wedding. Steve Martin is a good fit for the role, and his barely contained frustrations give the movie its spirit. The movie also touches on some deeper themes with George’s loving relationship with Annie.
Still, Father of the Bride is missing some of the finesse of the original. Where the Spencer Tracy version relied on simple writing and heartfelt moments to carry it, the remake has more overt comedy and less emotional resonance. The end product is still a light and enjoyable watch, especially for fans of Steve Martin, but not as elegant, meaningful, or sharply comedic as it could have been.
Father of the Bride is a fine pick when you’re in the mood for a safe, straightforward comedy that puts its star to good use. Father of the Bride misses a few opportunities for better humor and a richer story, but what’s there is enough to satisfy the right viewer. Those with a taste for the classics may want to try the Spencer Tracy version instead.
For another comedy starring Steve Martin, try Roxanne or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. For a more slapstick-oriented comedy about a couple dealing with seemingly endless frustrations, try The Money Pit. For a Christmas comedy with a similar family dynamic, try The Santa Clause or Christmas with the Kranks.
[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101862/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for light comedy with a few flaws.