Movies
Father of the Bride
Charles Shyer's remake of the Vincente Minnelli comedy, but broadened as though by rolling pin, and out of concern that anyone seeing the 1950 original might not be able to recognize it as a comedy. ("Welcome to the Nineties," says the swishy, adenoidal, German-accented wedding co-ordinator.) Steve Martin falling into his in-laws-to-be's swimming pool, fully clothed, leaves no room for doubt. And the swerves into mawkishness are all the more neck-wrenching. Within the slapstick latitude allowed him, Martin articulates the title character's emotions with absolute clarity, but he too completely crowds out everyone else in the cast. Kimberly Williams, Diane Keaton, Martin Short. 1991.
Reader Rating:
MPAA Rating: PG