Today’s quick review: Father of the Bride. Stanley Banks’ (Spencer Tracy) life spirals into chaos when his daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) announces her engagement to Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor). Immediately skeptical of the young man, Stanley puts him through his paces before giving his approval. Meanwhile, Stanley and his wife Ellie (Joan Bennett) tackle the monumental task of organizing a wedding worthy of their daughter.
Father of the Bride is a classic romantic comedy about the lead-up to a wedding. Spencer Tracy stars as Stanley Banks, a caring father faced with the prospect of giving his daughter away to a stranger. At times overprotective and at times long-suffering, Stanley weathers the logistical and financial turmoil of planning the perfect wedding. Father of the Bride’s simple but effective humor and talented leads make it a pure and enjoyable watch.
The hidden strength of Father of the Bride is its heart. No matter what else happens, Stanley and Kay love each other deeply. Tucked away among the comedic mishaps, the major and minor crises, and the avalanche of logistics are some truly heartfelt moments that perfectly capture the love between a father and daughter. Father of the Bride is a comedy first and foremost, but its sentimental moments are what tie the film together.
Father of the Bride takes a simple premise and executes it cleanly. Fans of classic comedies will find it to be a pleasant experience with some hidden depth, well worth a watch for anyone in the mood for something light and heartwarming. Fans of more modern comedies may find it a little too tame and limited in scope.
For another romantic comedy starring Spencer Tracy, try Adam’s Rib or Woman of the Year. For a sharp-witted comedy about a high-society wedding, try The Philadelphia Story.
[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042451/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for heartfelt comedy.