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‘Father of the Bride’ is a Fun Reboot
Though your mileage may vary.
As a rule, I tend to not like reboots of movies, especially if the original is very good. Remaking a beloved film is difficult because the audience is constantly comparing it to the original. This works against the new film right from the beginning. If it’s not absolutely amazing, a reboot can be a recipe for disaster.
This is why I was surprised when I saw a new version of Father of the Bride was recently released on HBO Max. The 90s version of this story was one of my favorites as a kid — what could be more fun than Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short in peak-90s cinema?
(Side note: I have not yet seen the 1950 Spencer Tracy version of the film. But I have added that to my to-watch list.)
In the new version of Father of the Bride, Billy (Andy Garcia), a Cuban father, has to grapple with his eldest daughter, Sofi (Adria Arjona), getting married. And, of course, drama, laughs, and even some tears ensue.
While the story hits similar notes as previous movies, I appreciate the emotional depth in this film. I particularly enjoyed that this Father of the Bride isn’t just about Billy and Sofi’s relationship but takes time to explore other familial relationships.
