Review of Guess Who (2005) by Chris W — 16 Sep 2011

This is a loose remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with a race reversal, but it seems to have far more in common with Meet the Parents (with a racial twist). Unlike the 1967 film, this bypass serious drama and instead goes for the path of farce. In a way, this film really doesn't have a lot of impact. In 1967, interracial relationships were a far more touchy subject. Now they really aren't that big of a deal. Also, by going for the farce route, there's not really a lot of substance here. There are a couple of really good scenes that go in that direction, but this is mostly just a racial comey of mistrust and misunderstanding. This kind of thing has been done before as well, and also better.

This is still mildly passable and decent entertainment though. I laughed a handful of times, enjoyed the performances, and really enjoyed the dinner table scene. That's the best scene, and also happens to be the one touching upon something more deep and meaningful. It's a shame that the rest of the film couldn't be like that.

As I said though, this is still an okay film as is. Saldana and Kutcher are both decent, but each has delivered better than this. This is really Bernie Mac's movie. He does a great job of playing the suspicious, sardonic, and mistrusting father who's not too impressed with her's daughter's white fiancee. He's got good chemistry with the rest of the cast, and is just a lot of fun to watch.

You don't have to see this movie (even though I am mildly recommending it), but if you do, see it for the performances (especially Mac's), and the aforementioned dinner table scene.