'Father of the Bride' had Steve Martin play the role of the father, George Banks. Spencer Tracy played the same role in the 1950s original. While the actors change, the character remains the same. Banks is an exceptional husband and a very loving father who turns into a major nutcase following his daughter's revelation that she was getting married. Coming home from her semester in Europe, Annie drops a bombshell on her father when she tells him that she is engaged to be married to a guy named Bryan.
             The character encompasses all the quirks and whims of a man obsessed with his daughter's image as the little girl he used to play with who is suddenly old enough to get married. He cannot come to terms with the reality and hence goes into this really hysterical state of mind where he hates everything about the wedding and everyone connected with him. Like any father, he doesn't think any guy is suitable enough for his darling girl. He cannot stand Bryan and thus hates the very idea of this wedding, which he believes, would cost him an arm and a leg. The most hilarious line is spoken when the guests' list is being prepared and father is obsessing over the increasing number of guests and the cost associated with it. He discovers that one of the guests on the list has died, unable to control his excitement, he blurts out: 'He is dead. That's great!'
             Father's appearance is exactly what it should have been considering their suburban lifestyle. He fits the image of a loving father who has always believed in providing for his family. It must be mentioned here that while Tracy was more a sturdy figure representing the average father in 1950s, Martin has a trendier yet casual appearance keeping with the changing times. The change is appearance is subtle but honest. It represents the changes that have occurred in American lifestyle over the last 40 years. Tracy's role as the obsessed fathe
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