Baby of the Bride (1991) by director Bill Bixby is the second in the "bride" series of made for tv movies concerning the comic exploits of the dysfunctional Becker family which includes mother, her new husband and her crazy adult children.
In the second installment of this series newlywed couple Margret (Rue McClanahan) and her hubby John (Ted Shackelford) are finally enjoying the peace and solitude of an empty house. The children are all gone and they can enjoy some time alone as well as some calm and quiet. But the tranquility doesn't last very long as Margret gets an unexpected surprise; at age 53 she is pregnant. Her new Husband isn't very happy with the news as he had completely different plans about his and his wife's life. John doesn't want her to have the baby and it becomes a rift between them. Daughter Mary (Kristy McNichol) is also expecting her first child; she is all alone without a husband or even a job. She and her little sister Anne (Anne Bobby) decide to get a place together to share expenses and be there for one another. Anne still has a lot of hostility towards men so when she first meets police officer Nick (Greg Kean) when he gives her a ticket it doesn't go very well, but he eventually begins to wear her down with his charm. Margret's oldest son Dennis (John Wesley Shipp) has lost his prestigious job and his money is beginning to run short, so he moves back in with his mother causing him considerable embarrassment and frustration. Andrew (Conor O'Farrell) has also moved back in with his mother. His ex-wife is still trying to get the girls back and he must come to terms with this problem and his ex if only for his children's sake. Meanwhile John has moved out, as he and Margret aren't sure that they can resolve their differences. As the holidays approach both mother and daughter prepare for their children's arrival, which as usual for the Becker clan occurs in the most unusual way bringing the family closer together than anyone could have expected.
Cute little comedy is probably the phrase that best sums up this film as well as the series as a whole. There isn't anything particularly original here but it is well done and is filled with a lot of laughs as well as some tears. This film does manage to keep you entertained and involved, which in itself is a considerable task for any movie, especially a sequel. Rue McClanahan again stars and she (as well as her co-stars) make this television comedy interesting and memorable. Kristy McNichol is also aboard again and does an excellent job bringing many comic as well as a few dramatic moments to this film. Baby of the Bride is altogether a modest but completely enjoyable film about love, commitment and the hardest thing we'll ever have to deal with, family.
Buying note: This movie has now been released on a budget priced DVD that does not have any special features. It is available separately or as a set with the other 2 films Children of the Bride and Mother of the Bride and should be readily available in both stores as well as at the usual internet sources.
7-18-2006
