Father Of The Bride Movie Review (2022)
A family comedy about a father struggling to accept his daughter’s shotgun wedding to a man he’s never met, Father Of The Bride is a light, modernized, and fairly forgettable remake that benefits from its likable cast and updated family dynamics.
When I first saw the 1991 Father Of The Bride film with Steve Martin in the movie theater, I really enjoyed it. I was in high school, and, because of its charm and Martin Short’s silliness, everyone loved it. I don’t think I saw it in the theater again, but I do remember renting it on VHS multiple times after it was released on video. It’s a cute story with engaging actors, and it worked for its time. So when this remake was released, it kind of went right past me. I only rediscovered that it existed while scrolling through streaming options, so here we are.
Father Of The Bride is about Billy Herrera and his wife, Ingrid, Cuban-American people who have raised their two daughters in Miami. On the verge of divorce, and about to tell the family their news, their plans are preempted by the announcement that their older daughter and law school graduate, Sofia, is engaged to marry Adan, a man they’ve never heard of. Younger sister and aspiring fashion designer Cora is asked to be the maid of honor, and the family sets out to meet Adan and his family and to plan the wedding.
This film is not so much a remake as it is a modern reimagining. Billy arrived in the US as a young man and built his own company after first designing his stunning family home. He is a workaholic, and Ingrid resents the time he spends dedicated to work while ignoring her and their girls.
Sofia is an accomplished woman in her own right and stands tall on her own. She doesn’t need anyone to make her dreams come true, but she has found Adan, and he is the person she chooses. Cora seeks her family’s approval but also knows who she is.
This Father Of The Bride is billed as a comedy, but the humor rarely lands. It is pleasant and easygoing, not a difficult watch, but it isn’t funny. I believe I chuckled once or twice.
The actors are enjoyable, with an ensemble cast including Andy García, Gloria Estefan, Adria Arjona, Isabela Merced, Diego Boneta, and Chloe Fineman. You see how the script and character descriptions fill out the characters, and the actors give their all, but while Chloe Fineman (as the Martin Short wedding coordinator figure) is fantastic on Saturday Night Live, that magic never clicks in this film.
The family dynamics are winning in this Father Of The Bride, but the movie itself is hit-or-miss. It isn’t bad, but I never felt like it was more than “just fine.” That said, the cast lands warmly and the storyline is a little different, so if you want to watch something breezy, this could fit the bill.
Runtime: 117 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English and Spanish with English subtitles
Should You Watch It? Yes, if you want something light
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Hulu and Max, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
