FATHER OF THE BRIDE
US, 1991, 105 minutes, Colour.
Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short, Kimberley Williams, Kieran Culkin, George Newbern, B.D.Wong, Eugene Levy.
Directed by Charles Shyer.
Father of the Bride is a remake and a reworking of the 1950 original, written by the team of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. This time producer and director Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer (Baby Boom) have done the adaptation, changed the background of families and the place of men and women of the '50s into a more up to date, less battle of the sexes and more equality of the sexes.
The film is entertaining, often quite funny. The reason being that the film is designed as a star vehicle for Steve Martin, combining his comic talents (as in his wandering through the in-laws' house, trying on his old tuxedo ...) as well as his capacity for serious acting (Parenthood, LA Story). Diane Keaton, who appeared in Baby Boom, has little to do but smile and let the tears glisten in her eyes. Kimberley Williams is an attractive bride and George Newbern is the genial Bryan. There is entertaining support from stage performer B.D. Wong with Martin Short as Franck (pronounced Fronk) the pair of wedding co-ordinators. Eugene Levy has a small guest role as a singer for the reception.
The film, while up to date, also harks back to the traditions of the American family, the relationship between father and daughter, the reality of letting go, engagements and marriages, church weddings and lavish receptions.
1.Entertaining remake and reworking of the original? The style of adaptation to the '90s?
2.The strong cast? The portrayal of families, the American affluent family, working background, audiences identifying or not with the characters? The musical score, the songs?
3.The screenplay and its structure: the flashback from the wedding day, George's voice-over and ironic commentary? The progress from engagement to wedding ceremony?
4.The title and its tone, the focus on George, Steve Martin and his strong presence throughout the film? His voice-over commentary, his memories, Annie as a little girl, growing up? His love for Annie and not realising that he had to let her go? His love for Nina, their ease together? His love for Matty? His antagonism towards Bryan, coming home from work, the news, his reactions, sulking? Annie and her trying to persuade him to be receptive? The basketball clash? The question of the ceremony, the money? Visiting the in-laws, his awkwardness, nervousness, the mishaps in the bathroom, the dogs, into the pool? The discussions about the wedding - and his ideas about the steak restaurant, his imagining the reception at home? The visit to Franck? His not being able to understand Franck? His growing exasperation, moods, his finishing up in jail? Handling the break-up between Annie and Bryan? Being reasonable, bringing them together? The breaking up of his house and his having to cope? The build-up to the wedding day, busy, love for Annie, letting her go, trying to remember his line? The reception, his getting entangled, wanting to dance with his daughter, the parked cars, all his manoeuvring but missing out on dancing with her? The farewell? With Nina, the reminiscences, the joy of the phone call? The character, humour, sentiment? The comedy with the tuxedo and `What's New, Pussycat'? The rueful presentation of a father understanding that he must give up his daughter?
5.Audience attitudes towards weddings, families, relationships, the father-daughter bond? Marriage, values, style? Expenses for ceremonies? The styles and rituals of the wedding ceremony? The wedding reception?
6.Nina, attractive, loving George, support? Her joy with the announcement, her liking Bryan? The visit to the in laws and her having to cope? The plans, Annie's dress? Going to see Franck? The change in the house? Her being upset with George, the deal before getting him out of jail? The happiness of the ceremony?
7.Annie, the anticipation of her return home, the meal, the announcement, the basketball, her love for Bryan, explanation of their meeting and falling in love, together, her devotion to him? The clash with her father at basketball? Preparation for the ceremony, the visit to Franck? The clash with Bryan, her feminist attitudes and his gift? The ceremony, the joy, wanting to see her father, the phone call from the airport?
8.Bryan, the background and explanation, his arrival, courteous, his treatment of George and Nina? Love for Annie? His parents? The plans, familiarity with George? The break-up - and George on his side?
9.The in-laws, their wealth, nervousness at the visit, the mishaps? Their relatives from Denmark? The ceremony, the father-in-law and his weeping?
10.Franck and Howard, the humour of their personal style and manner, manners? Franck as unintelligible? Their vocabulary, the design style, organising the wedding, the prices, taking over the house? Franck and the parking of the cars?
11.The scenes at the factory, George at work, the question of the tuxedo - blue?
12.The house, the takeover of the house, the transformation for the wedding?
13.The portrait of the family, the details of family life, Matty and his relationship with Annie, the goodnight on her last night in the house, his rehearsal for the wedding?
14.The details of the wedding ceremony, the details of the reception, the traditions - intercut with the comedy about George's frustrations?
15.The happy ending, a feelgood film?
