Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Romcom about finding unexpected love; drinking, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mother of the Bride
What's the Story?
Brooke Shields becomes the MOTHER OF THE BRIDE when she finds out her daughter Emma (Miranda Cosgrove, of iCarly fame) is getting married in Thailand in a month. A world-renowned geneticist in San Francisco, Lana (Shields) drops everything to fly to be with her daughter and meet the fiancé, RJ (Sean Teale). Adding more surprises to the scenario, RJ's dad turns out to be Lana's college love, Will (Benjamin Bratt), the one who got away. At the Thai resort, sparks will fly between the former lovers, but these will be complicated by misunderstandings, a new love interest in fellow California doctor Lucas (Chad Michael Murray), and their new in-law relationship.
Is It Any Good?
The streaming platforms have assembled a small cottage industry of films about middle-aged women finding second chances at love, and Brooke Shields could easily become a star of the genre. She brings with her to films like Mother of the Bride an audience of women her age who grew up admiring her. Trouble is, if the films seem like toss-aways -- as A Castle for Christmas unfortunately did -- she could risk losing those followers. Mother is a notch above that one, though it does feel like a knock-off of the Julia Roberts and George Clooney-led Ticket to Paradise in both story (former couple reunited at a child's wedding) and Southeast Asian setting.
As in that film, Mother sees its middle-aged characters reminiscing and reliving some of the excitement of their youth. These are likable scenes set to period tunes like the Go-Go's. A pickleball scene (one of the first on film??) is also very funny. But other meant-to-be-funny scenarios fall flat, and comedian Rachael Harris goes sorely underused. The film also sets up a hard-to-believe premise of a young woman allowing corporate sponsors to make her wedding Instagrammable. Shields is stronger here in the dramatic moments than the comedy. Considering her past career, that may be more a problem with the writing than the acting. If you've watched Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, you know the model-actress-mom has earned her maturity. Here's hoping for future films that give her more opportunities to show that side of her.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Emma giving her wedding over to her corporate sponsors in Mother of the Bride. Does this feel realistic? Does it make you question some of what you see on influencers' Instagram accounts?
The parents of the engaged couple seem to be reliving their youth. What other films have you seen where middle-aged adults reminisce about or relive their younger days?
The film is set mostly in a tourist resort in Phuket, Thailand. What do you know about this area? Where could you find more information?
Romcoms tend to be predictable. Does that matter, or is that just part of the experience?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 9, 2024
- Cast : Brooke Shields , Benjamin Bratt , Miranda Cosgrove
- Director : Mark Waters
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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