Mother of the Bride parents guide: Netflix rom-com will make you say "I do... Want to watch it with my kids!"
By Tiara Starks
Well, another Mother's Day has come and gone but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate the matriarch in your family all year round. Cue the latest original feature film from Netflix, Mother of the Bride, which is now available to stream on the platform!
The big buzz is that veteran actress Brooke Shields is returning to the screen after her last Netflix film, 2021's A Castle for Christmas. This time, Shields is playing a medical lab research head named Lana Winslow whose daughter, Emma (played by Miranda Cosgrove) returns home and reveals that she is about to be married in Thailand to her boyfriend RJ, who proposed to her in London. RJ turns out to be the son of Lana's ex, Will, who broke her heart many years ago. The Winslow mother-daughter duo take flight towards Thailand where Lana has to confront her long-time grudge against Will. Will this put a damper on the wedding or even worse, Lana's relationship with her own daughter?
The cast also includes Benjamin Bratt (Loot) as Will, Rachael Harris (Unfrosted) as Janice, Sean Teale as RJ, Chad Michael Murray (Riverdale) as Lucas, Michael McDonald (Halloween Kills) as Clay, Wilson Cruz as Scott, Tasneem Roc (Love and Monsters) as Camala. The film is co-produced by Motion Picture Corporation of America and the Thai-based production company Living Films. Netflix handles distribution rights.
Now this film sounds like your typical rom-com complete with the Romeo and Juliet elements but with a more adult storyline. So, is this a film worth showing to both your own mother (and kids?) You'll have to find out as we breakdown the the age rating of Mother of the Bride down below!
Mother of the Bride Parents Guide: Explaining The TV-PG Age Rating
Mother of the Bride is Rated TV-PG for "language, substances, suggestive dialogue," according to Netflix.
Sex & Nudity: Let's get the awkward stuff out of the way. In this rom-com, there is some objectifying in the film. You'll also see adult characters go "skinny dipping" and a brief reference to male private parts aka a man's "pickle".
Violence: Nothing majorly violent happens in this film. There is a mention of a character losing their father in a car accident when they were younger. And a man getting hit in his private area by a pickleball. Ouch.
Language: Your average curse words are heard in this film with the usual suspects of name calling including "jack**s" "stupid," "jerk," "idiot," and "pee."
Drinking & Drugs: In this film, you'll see that adults drink alcohol, sometimes to the point of nearly passing out, and having a hangover. A character is seen telling a story involving buying a keg with a fake ID.
Overall Verdict: What Age Is Mother of the Bride Appropriate For?
Barring the brief but present adult references in the film, I'd say ages 13 and up can watch this film. The film is TV-PG, which means that parental guidance is suggested; but with Cosgrove being a familiar face to children's audiences, your kids might be more willing to pay more attention to the film than you think. I believe the film's positive message overshadows its flaws. The wedding appears to be the backdrop of a genuine story about love, forgiveness, and family. The film shows that everyone, even the people you may disagree with, deserve second chances. I also think the multigenerational aspect of this film plays a part in its eligibility as a family watch option.