Review of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) by Krys L — 06 Jan 2012

Stanley Kramer creates a fantastic and very socially conscious film. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn star as Matt and Christina Drayton, a couple whose daughter Joey (Katherine Houghton) decides to spring a surprise visit on them.

She brings with her new fiance, Dr. John Prentice (Sidney Poitier), a well respected doctor who she met while she was in Hawaii. Drayton are initially surprised to see the interracial couple in front of them and even more surprised when John informs them that he needs their complete blessing by the end of the night or the marriage will be called off.

John is leaving for New York and the Geneva for three months and therefore can't stay long with Joanna flying out a week later to meet him and get married. What follows is then the build up to the climactic dinner sequence.

Spencer Tracy, who would die shortly after filming was completed, gives one of the best performances of his career. His speech at the end of the film about his feelings toward their marriage is absolutely stunning and given with the class and sincerity only someone of his master skill could deliver.

Katherine Hepburn is also magnificent as Christina, who seems to see the true love in the happy couple and supports the marriage pretty early on. Finally Poitier is dignified and commanding as John. The film itself deals with a subject matter that was extremely taboo and controversial in 1967, when the film was released, and handles it with great care.

A great American classic with a serious message.