Father of the Bride Part II

Starring: Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Martin Short, Kieran Culkin, George Newbern, BD Wong, Eugene Levy, Peter Michael Goetz
Directed by: Charles Shyer
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
1995

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: George Banks (Steve Martin) feels like his life is finally settling down. However, things take a turn when he learns his daughter (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) and wife (Diane Keaton) both get pregnant at the same time.

Review:

Tim: After the solid original movie, nearly the entire gang gets back together for Father of the Bride Part II, four years later. It was a good move, keeping the director and cast intact. I feel like this film follows closely in the original's footsteps and delivers another warmhearted comedy. I'm sure that some people will criticize this film- the plot seems farfetched and the movie plays it generally safe. I didn't have any issues with that, though. The first film wasn't the most ambitious and it still managed to entertain. This sequel follows that same path, while extending the story of these characters we've come to know.

That is really what's most appealing about this film. From the original movie, we get to know George Banks, Nina, his beloved daughter Annie, Matty, and all the zany characters that swirl around them. We get to know this family and it's fun to see their stories continue. The film might play it mostly safe, but that doesn't prevent the story from being entertaining. You can tell the script writers (including Nancy Meyers) felt an affinity for this family. There's this sense of realism about them. They aren't poor, but they aren't rich. They are a "typical" American family. Their hopes and dreams, their fears and concerns all feel appropriate for a middle class family in the 1990s. There's something quaint and fun about watching this story from a vantage point decades later. I enjoyed stepping back into the Banks' home and seeing what they were up to.

The story isn't always great, but that's okay. The idea that a mother and daughter would get pregnant at the same time feels a bit outlandish, but far from impossible. You just have to kind of go with it. The idea that they'd both be in the hospital at the same time is preposterous, although it sets up one of the film's zaniest and most entertaining sequences, so it's mostly forgivable. Seeing George run back-and-forth while his daughter and wife were both in labor is great visual comedy. Ridiculous, but entertaining to watch. I actually thought the subplot about selling the house was the more outlandish part of the story. I've bought and sold a couple houses at this point in my life and the way events unfurl here felt so far from reality that I cringed watching it. The financial mess George gets himself into isn't something that you just laugh off. The scene of George dyeing his hair was incredible, just because Martin is so known for his white hair. I thought he actually looked good with it dark, and it perfectly set up some jokes about men freaking out a bit as they get older.

Steve Martin delivers another strong performance as George. His demeanor, his narration, it all invites you in where you feel like you know the character. I'll give you an example of the impact of Martin's performance. I know his character's name is George Banks, without having to look it up. That almost never happens. But, he made a personal connection with the audience, you feel like you know him. He delivers a strong performance here. Diane Keaton is relegated a bit as "the wife" in this situation, but she has talent as an actress and managed to have several effective sequences where you felt like you got to see into Nina's heart. The movie is obviously much more interested in George, but Keaton got a few nice scenes out of it. Martin Short continues to come in and steal scenes left and right. I felt somewhat annoyed with Short in the first film, but you got to see more of his humanity here. I found myself enjoying Short more in this second film. Kimberly Williams-Paisley was solid as Annie. I don't think she is a great actress, but she mostly worked. Kieran Culkin gave another strong performance and I wish George was more interested in him. Culkin needed a bigger role. It was nice seeing BD Wong, and I was glad the film leveraged Eugene Levy, although his character felt a bit forced upon the story.

Father of the Bride Part II is a worthy sequel. It might not be quite as good as the first one, but it gets so close that you really have to peer into it to see the difference. It's a kind movie, a safe film. It's lightweight, but doesn't overstay its welcome. I enjoyed watching this film and it makes a good companion to the original.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Father of the Bride, Roxanne, The Out-of-Towners, Grand Canyon, Parenthood