Common Sense Media Review
Appealing remake has sweet messages, sexual references.
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Father of the Bride
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a charming and humorous romp that is heartwarming, focusing on themes of family and the father-daughter relationship during wedding planning. While it features some light sexual innuendo and adult references, most reviewers agree that younger children might not fully grasp these aspects, making it a delightful choice for older kids and families.
- sweet messages
- funny moments
- family themes
- mild content
- good for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FATHER OF THE BRIDE, 22-year-old Annie (Kimberly Williams) comes home from a semester abroad and shocks her parents with the news that she's engaged. While her mom, Nina (Diane Keaton), is excited, dad George (Steve Martin) struggles to deal with the idea of his little girl growing up, as well as the financial side of the wedding, which keeps growing bigger by the day.
Is It Any Good?
The film spins a pretty web of nuptial fantasy, though it makes you wonder whether such frenzied consumerism is really what weddings should be about. That said, there's a lot to like in Father of the Bride, especially its warm, witty star: Martin embodies the fiercely overprotective dad struggling to let go, prickly but loving, and a real softie at heart. Keaton has little to do here but smile through tears; her role has been usurped by Martin Short's Franck, the wedding planner who leans into lazy gay stereotypes, but whose over-the-top performance can still often be funny. The scenes between Franck and George are superb, making up for the overly sweet sentiment elsewhere.
Also to its credit, this film manages to capture a sense of the specific bond that can exist between father and daughter. As George wrestles with the fact that his little girl, who saw him as her hero, is growing up, he experiences emotions that most parents and children will relate to. And in a welcome update of the 1950 original, Annie has more to offer than just a pretty face: She's pursuing a career in architecture, and she can play a mean game of basketball, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why George acts up the way he does in Father of the Bride. Why can it be hard to watch loved ones change?
What do you think about Annie's big day? Discuss the role of tradition and that of the wedding industry in how we perceive what a wedding should look like.
What stereotypes did you notice in the film? Can you think of other films that have shown similar clichés?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 20, 1991
- On DVD or streaming : June 7, 2005
- Cast : Diane Keaton , Kimberly Williams-Paisley , Steve Martin
- Director : Charles Shyer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Touchstone Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : parental guidance
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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