Overview
A father's journey through the chaos of wedding planning reveals the true meaning of family and love.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- nostalgic
- family movie night
- wedding planning
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a warmly appealing, sparkling romantic comedy elevated by its script, assured direction, and performances from Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Stanley Banks confronts mounting expenses, social expectations, and practical disasters while arranging Kay's wedding.
Stanley balances jealousy, devotion, pride, and anxiety as Kay prepares to leave the family home.
The film combines rapid comic complications with affectionate attention to the Banks family's emotions.
Stanley begins by remembering the period from Kay's engagement through the wedding itself.
Films like Father of the Bride, and why
The Philadelphia Story
warm domestic comedy centered on family tensions, marriage, and a parent's changing relationship with an adult child
The Awful Truth
sparkling romantic comedy with witty dialogue, class-conscious social comedy, and strong ensemble performances
Meet Me in St. Louis
affectionate family comedy about courtship, generational expectations, and wedding-related upheaval
Movie Details
- Director
- Vincente Minnelli
- Release Date
- 1950-05-18
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (244)
Cast
- Spencer Tracy
- Joan Bennett
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Don Taylor
- Billie Burke
- Leo G. Carroll
- Moroni Olsen
- Melville Cooper
- Taylor Holmes
- Paul Harvey
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Father of the Bride about?
- A proud but increasingly overwhelmed father navigates the comic emotional and financial upheaval of arranging his daughter's wedding.
- What is Father of the Bride like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Father of the Bride as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Father of the Bride violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Father of the Bride.
- What did critics think of Father of the Bride?
- Critics broadly regard it as a warmly appealing, sparkling romantic comedy elevated by its script, assured direction, and performances from Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.
- Which films are like Father of the Bride?
- Films with a similar feel include The Philadelphia Story, The Awful Truth, and Meet Me in St. Louis.
- How long is Father of the Bride?
- Father of the Bride runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Father of the Bride?
- In United States, Father of the Bride is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
