Father of the Bride

Don’t get me wrong, I think Steve Martin’s an amazing comedic actor. But while “Father of the Bride” is toted as one of his greater films, I find his performance only funny in the first half.  The 2nd half, he falls into the stereotypical role of sentimental father about to give his daughter away. In the first half, he’s completely bonkers in every reaction, sometimes over-the-top and sometimes just laughable because it’s not how normal people do or think.  It’s only after Diane Keaton talks some sense into her husband that he becomes a cool, level-headed guy again, even helping with a premarital spat the young couple has.  If anything, the side characters are the ones who seem to have the most fun out of it. The wedding coordinators are hamming it up to their full potential, and the little brother Culkin is unintentionally funny because of his mature demeanor.
Overall, still a funny film and can tug at your heartstrings.

Mental note: Not a good idea for anniversary gift. Women can get out of the kitchen nowadays after all.