Review of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) by Rocco C — 17 Mar 2013

There was one thing that I took away from this picture above all was the fact that we are all colourless human beings and love is just, simply, can happen between the most different, yet seemingly similar people.

What inspired me to watch this movie was not the strong theme that resonates throughout the play, but the fact that it was really the comeback of legendary actress Katharine Hepburn to motion pictures and away from televised feature films. The true star of this movie is however not Hepburn, but is in fact Sidney Poitier who plays Dr. John Prentice, a renowned medical physician and effortlessly well-mannered black fellow who falls in love with not just any girl - but a white and privileged one - whom transfixes on the idea of introducing the pair to her affluent parents as a 'madly in love' couple. However, this is to the dismay of the girl's father, portrayed by Spencer Tracy in his Oscar-nominated and final film role and initially her mother Christina whom stress that they won't have a "dog's chance" of curbing prejudice and blinded bigotry. Katharine Houghton - real life niece of Hepburn - marks her first feature-length picture as the eccentric and quirky Joey.

I understand that there is severe criticism for this picture by not only representing the harsh white superiority values of the time but the significantly low position women held during 1960s America. Almost every leading female character in the picture is suppressed by men and deemed either irrational or foolish. But I believe this serves as an ideal way of interpreting the society of America in 1967 and not only the shameful mistreatment of African-Americans at the time but of women also - regardless of color. The disproval of Hepburn being awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress is also something of controversy surrounding this picture. Although Hepburn's character was stunningly portrayed, the role of her partner, was of more deserving higher critical appraise.

This film is not just a part of cinematic history, but world history. Historically, during the filming and release of this picture, 17 US states outlawed interracial marriage and it was only until June 1967 - two days after Tracy's death - that this was repealed. Tracy's ill health was prominent during the later sections of the film; in particular, the bathroom scene before the "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" punch line takes full effect to a very deeply saddened a teary Hepburn.