Netflix has come through with another addition to its mighty pool of cheesy romcoms, and this time it’s off to Thailand for a family wedding so fraught, it makes the nuptial chaos of Mamma Mia! look like an oasis of serenity.
Mother of the Bride, which comes from the director of Lindsay Lohan classics Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, follows a young couple who are about to tie the knot... only – wait! – the mother of the bride and the groom’s father were once star-crossed teenagers, before heartbreak and adulthood drove them apart. Suddenly reunited, they have decades of emotion to unpack before they can even begin to think about their children’s wedding. Okay, we’re paraphrasing.
The plot may be predictable but if you’re looking for 90 minutes of breezy romcom fun with beautiful scenery, here’s a few reasons you might want to tune in.
Who is in the cast of Mother of the Bride?
Nickelodeon star Miranda Cosgrove plays social media influencer Emma, who is engaged to her partner RJ, played by British actor Sean Teale (Skins).
Lana, the mother of the bride, is played by Hollywood icon Brooke Shields, known for appearances in a string of TV greats like Friends, Suddenly Susan and That ‘70s Show. And, of course, the equally beachy The Blue Lagoon.
Benjamin Bratt (Law & Order) plays her former lover Will and father to Lana’s soon-to-be son-in-law. What was that quote about tangled webs again?
Wilson Cruz (Star Trek: Discovery) and Michael McDonald (Halloween Kills) are Clay and Scott, a happily-married couple who are long-time friends of Lana and Will.
Rachael Harris (Lucifer) is Janice, Lana’s best friend and confidante, and an aunty figure to Emma. Look for her dry wit to provide the film’s humour.
Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill) plays Lucas, a doctor on vacation at the same resort who takes a shine to Lana. Australian actress Tasneem Roc is Camala, the brains behind the event.
Where was Netflix’s Mother of the Bride filmed?
Filming for Mother of the Bride kicked off in April 2023 on location in Thailand, with the majority of the film split between two luxurious holiday resorts in Phuket that will likely inspire future brides across the world with their breathtaking beaches.
The opening scene shows RJ propose to Emma at a fancy London restaurant, with views of the city’s skyline. Keep your eyes peeled for the London Eye, the Shard and Big Ben.
There’s then a brief scene of Emma visiting her mother Lana’s workplace in San Francisco to break the news of her shock engagement. There’s a brief shot of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The picturesque wedding was filmed at the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, both of which are part of the Minor Hotels brand. The company’s founder even makes a cameo.
The movie is definitely a useful ad for the resorts, which boast private beaches, yoga studios, spas, and villas with private pools.
The Layan Phuket Resort even has its own cliffside wedding chapel, though in the movie the couple make their vows at the resort’s Layan Beach, described as a ‘topical paradise by the sea’ that can accommodate up to 150 guests.
‘It was like an actual destination wedding,’ director Mark Waters said of the location. ‘We were living in the same hotels and going to the same restaurant, so everyone naturally became friends.’
‘The best thing about this job was it never felt like work,’ actor Benjamin Bratt said. ‘As a troupe of actors, we were like a circus crew, all off on a great adventure together.’ Sounds like the perfect working vacation.
Is there a trailer?
This is! Check it out below.
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