The Banks family reunites after 25 years in 'Father of the Bride Part 3(ish)'
In case you missed it over the weekend, the original cast of 1991's Father of the Bride and its 1995 sequel Father of the Bride Part II reunited 25 years after the last film for another sequel of sorts.
The Banks family gathered virtually for Father of the Bride Part 3(ish), a reunion special featuring some familiar young actors playing the two youngest members. The original mini-movie, written and directed by Nancy Meyers, was put together as a benefit for World Central Kitchen.
The nearly 27-minute-long mini-sequel takes place 25 years after the second film, following the current-day Banks family Zoom meeting amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. George, the loveable and neurotic father is played to perfection by Steve Martin, who looks exactly the same as he did in the '90s films. He's joined by his onscreen family, including wife Nina (Diane Keaton), daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), son Matty (Kieran Culkin), son-in-law Bryan (George Newburn) and a few other memorable characters.
The babies born in the second movie, now in their 20s, also join the Zoom call. Megan (George and Nina's youngest daughter) is played by Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Little Women) while Georgie (Annie and Bryan's son), is portrayed by Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect).
Production wise, the actors had to film themselves separately for this virtual family meeting. Everyone's grown up and living on their own, while George is driving himself crazy with the pandemic, which explains why he’s been banished by Nina into a separate room. The video chat offers a throwback to some of the classic film's original storylines with flashbacks setting the scene and thrown in for good measure throughout the conversation. Viewers get a quick update on what everyone's been up to as the family casually catches up with each other.
The real reason for the call is Matty, now a 37-year-old writer, who has a big announcement that he wants his family to be a part of. He'd like to marry his long time doctor girlfriend Rachel. More people join the call, including quirky wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer (Martin Short), and new cast additions played by Alexandra Shipp (X-Men Apocalypse) and Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, who drops in like it's no big deal.
While some parts of the reunion special may seem a bit contrived, what with everything happening in 2020, the mini-sequel offers a dose of much-needed good vibes and happiness. Anyone who watched the original films in the '90s will surely appreciate this. The nostalgia and chemistry of the cast of is undeniable, and it's hard not to get sentimenal and shed a tear or two especially at the end when Georgie starts belting out a soulful rendition of The Way You Look Tonight.
The underlying message of the bonds of family amid physical gatherings stalled by the pandemic and the need for social distancing offers a poignant and touching reminder to everyone out there missing their loved ones.
The mini-sequel premiered last Friday, September 25 on Netflix, Youtube, and Facebook and is still available to watch online. Watch the whole thing here:
(Images from Netflix)