The protagonist of “Father of the Bride” would probably bristle to hear this new rom-com dubbed a “Latinx” remake of the classic, which was last revived in 1991, starring Steve Martin in the role. This time, a Cuban-American family is at the center of the story and Billy Herrera (Andy Garcia) is the father who must face the imminent marriage of his daughter.
Herrera, as he often likes to remind his children, emigrated from Cuba with little more than pennies in his pocket and managed to establish a thriving architectural practice. He has expectations for his children and their future. When his daughter and golden child Sofia (Adria Arjona), announces that she is marrying Adan (Diego Boneta), a Mexican who doesn’t fit the macho image Billy has always imagined, he must face how the Sofia’s vision for her life differs from his.
The film, directed by Gaz Alazraki and written by Matt Lopez, is authentic – using actors who speak fluent Spanish and work in cultural nuances rather than relying on the general portrayal of Latinos we’ve come to expect from Hollywood. . Gloria Estefan plays Billy’s wife, Ingrid, who is fed up with his rigid ways; Isabela Merced is Sofia’s sister, Cora, a free-spirited fashion designer; and comedian Chloe Fineman plays the goofy wedding planner. Much of the film’s humor comes from its attempts to adapt to the culture and language of the Herreras.
But there’s little other comic relief to lift the exploration of generational divides between immigrants and their children, which are fueled in part by machismo and elitism. Diversity is also an issue, with an all-white Latino cast, save for a brief appearance by reggaeton star Ozuna. Yet “Father of the Bride” shows the kind of rich cultural representation that can occur when people from the represented cultures are enlisted to tell their own stories.
father of the bride
Rated PG-13. Duration: 1h57. Watch on HBO Max.
