Father Of The Bride Part II Parent Guide

I loved the first Father of the Bride, and the sequel is just as good. Sure, it’s sentimental mushy gushy type stuff, but with the choices available on videos today, a film about a nice happy family having children still ranks as being a unique find.

Steve Martin plays George Banks, the pushover father who tries to stay tough with his wallet, but loves his children more than anything else in life. After getting talked into an extravigant wedding in the first movie, his now pregnant daughter has his wife Nina (Diane Keaton) all excited about putting on a baby shower, and only the irrepressible Franck (Martin Short) who orchestrated the nuptials in the first movie, is able to do the job. But things continue to get even crazier when Nina, now in her late forties, discovers that she is expecting within days of her daughter. This sends George into a whole new era of fatherhood, just as he was prepared to trade their house for the empty-nester condo by the beach.

This is one of those rare comedies that parents and children can watch together without parents worrying about what is going to happen next. Near the beginning of the movie, there is a short but appropriate romantic scene in the kitchen between mom and dad Banks, a happily married couple that obviously still enjoy spending time together.

TThe humor is derived from crazy things that many expecting parents will experience. Although exaggerated, the situations are still very real. I could certainly relate to George as he wears a winter parka and scarf while his wife and daughter lounge on the couch complaining that the air conditioner isn’t cold enough. Meanwhile, Franck is overseeing the creation of a nursery in the Bank’s home that rivals most people’s living rooms.

This movie leaves you feeling good about families, children, and marriage. If you want even more fun, rent the original with it, and have a mushy gushy evening with someone you love.

Starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Martin Short. Running time: 106 minutes. Theatrical release December 8, 1995. Updated July 17, 2017