Review of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) by Leighton T — 28 Aug 2009

It's amazing how films like this are dismissed today because we look at them now as condescending in terms of race. Looking at it within it's time period, it was perfectly acceptable and understood, capturing the feelings of a particular time within history. We feel like these films don't matter anymore because we've moved so far past the problems presented. All it does is recognize a certain time in history.

The problems I have with the film comes towards the end. First, with Tracy's speech, because it's like a pat on the back to the film itself, knowing how right it is in its feelings, and it comes off as sermonizing, not to mention Poitier's attack on his character's father which goes completely against the character traits the film has presented John as. Not that his argument is completely without merit, but the vehement of the attack is uncalled for, he has held Tracy's character in high esteem despite his same feelings for the situation, and yet he attacks his own father for the same reasons. It's almost like he treats his father as second-rate (although we do tend to react twice as bad to our own when they attack us, then when it's someone else).

The writing is great and the direction from Stanley Kramer is careful and observant. The whole ensemble is tremendous, although Tracy does seems ragged and feels like he's forcing it (he died 17 days after filming finished), but Hepburn is radiant and motherly in one of her quietest roles. It's enjoyable to see her calmly watch over everybody and make the part of a mother feel both lovingly and fiercely real. It's easy to find faults within the plot, but all it is is honoring the situational "suitor" comedies of old with a modern twist. But, in the end, as Tracy's character's states, it's about love, and despite any issues that may be incurred upon on two people, it's all that matters when it comes to accepting that these two people want to be together.