FilmSnobReviews

Title: Father of the Bride
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Gary Alazraki
Starring: Andy Garcia, Gloria Estefan, Adria Arjona
Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

What It Is: Guillermo Herrera (Garcia) was an exile fleeing Cuba as a young man. He slept on floors and did everything he could to make his dream of being an architect a reality. He married the love of his life Ingrid (Estefan) and the two of them had two girls. Now the oldest Sofia (Arjona) is getting married to the man of her dreams Adan (Diego Boneta) and Billy is footing the bill being that he’s the father of the bride. Whether he’s ready to let go or not is another question entirely.

What We Think: I’m a fan of the 1991 remake of the original 1950 Vincente Minnelli classic. This is a fun, Latin spin on that classic story. Garcia is really good here and Estefan is a surprise. Most of the jokes are fine and hit where intended. I can forgive this film for some of its well-treaded themes because it’s not just a remake it’s a remake of a remake. Much like Bradley Cooper’s A Star is Born it does some really contemporary things that work really well. Gone are the very un-PC depictions of LGBTQ+ people (looking at you Martin Short, it isn’t your fault) in its place are really funny digs at hipsters, millennials, and toxic Latin machismo. It is here where the movie tends to shine its brightest light.

Our Grade: B, Listen. I’ve been highly HIGHLY critical of HBO Max and their original films. This one however got to me. It kept me in the palm of its hand the entire time. A truly welcomed surprise and one I can recommend to anyone and everyone who wants something nice and easy to watch. Some may need to bring the tissues by the end of the film but even if you don’t I think you’ll love what Gary Alazraki and his crew have put together.