Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
(A or 4/4 stars)
'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' (superbly directed by Stanley Kramer) is a great film which examines its precarious subject matter with insight, depth, drama & humor. Long-time San Francisco liberals, Matt & Christina Drayton (Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn) have raised their beautiful daughter Joey (Katharine Houghton, Hepburn's real life niece) to think for herself & not to conform to the norm if she doesn't believe in it. Still, this loving couple isn't prepared for the shock they receive when she returns home from Hawaii with a fiancee, Dr. John Prentice (Sidney Poitier) ... who happens to be black. Of course, this extraordinary character represents the quintessentially respectable black man; so it makes perfect sense that Poitier plays him.
While the kindly Matt & Christina are faced with a test of their beliefs and struggle to come to grips with whatever crusty prejudices they might still harbor in their hearts/souls/minds, the young couple must also contend with John's parents (Roy Glenn Sr., Beah Richards), who fly in for dinner (hence, the title) and are dead-set against this potential marriage. To complicate matters further, the Drayton's disapproving maid (Isabel Sanford) & Christina's bigoted business associate/friend put in their damning 2 cents' worth, as well. While Joey is determined to go ahead with wedding plans no matter what anyone thinks, the more thoughtful John refuses to consider marriage until he receives the absolute approval of all concerned parties. Melodrama ensues.
The closing monologue delivered by Spencer Tracy is one of the more poignant & powerful ones you'll see in cinema; especially because the sickly actor passed away mere weeks after the film wrapped. His is a wonderful, multi-dimensional performance of a respectable man with a family, a professional background, a sense of humor, a temper & other humane complexities -- you feel like you know him. Ditto that for Hepburn in a fairly atypical (for her) 'loving mother' role. She's excellent - and the knowledge that the love of her life (Tracy) was so ill during filming must have aided her already impressive performance. She brings wit to the role; watch her deliciously berate her bigoted friend who stops for a visit. And I enjoyed this comment she makes to Matt late in the film, ""if what they (the kids) feel for each other is even 1/2 of what we felt, then that is ... everything". Every actor in this film knocks it out of the park; from the top names down to the charming monsignor played by Cecil Kellaway & the saucy maid, Tillie, well-played by Isabel Sanford.
The story ends on a fairly upbeat note, leaving audiences not only entertained but with new insight as to how they would face similar situations (remember, these are 1967 ideologies about interracial matters). I love that btwn. the lovers & 2 sets of parents, every possible character interaction is explored amidst both comedic moments & highly dramatic ones. And every familiar racial prejudice is brought up & dealt with during the course of the well-edited 108 minute run time. I love the idea that: John Prentice is a respected doctor, well-mannered, handsome & comes from a respected family. What more could any parent of any race want for their child? And yet, the race is issue is there. Thinking of the time & place, how could it not be?
And though this is a timely film about race/racism and the liberal stance of the parents ... it all results in a powerful "young love can conquer all" scenario. Although the young couples' future problems are acknowledged, the film is even more about the meaning of love; as expressed by Hepburn & Beah Richards' tender portrayal. So the script is intelligent & sensitive to all opinions on race. The cinematography is warm. Robert Clatworthy's production design is note-worthy {gorgeous modern apartment}. And the costumes (notably, Hepburn's) suit the progressive, liberal-thinking characters, as well.
While the kindly Matt & Christina are faced with a test of their beliefs and struggle to come to grips with whatever crusty prejudices they might still harbor in their hearts/souls/minds, the young couple must also contend with John's parents (Roy Glenn Sr., Beah Richards), who fly in for dinner (hence, the title) and are dead-set against this potential marriage. To complicate matters further, the Drayton's disapproving maid (Isabel Sanford) & Christina's bigoted business associate/friend put in their damning 2 cents' worth, as well. While Joey is determined to go ahead with wedding plans no matter what anyone thinks, the more thoughtful John refuses to consider marriage until he receives the absolute approval of all concerned parties. Melodrama ensues.
The closing monologue delivered by Spencer Tracy is one of the more poignant & powerful ones you'll see in cinema; especially because the sickly actor passed away mere weeks after the film wrapped. His is a wonderful, multi-dimensional performance of a respectable man with a family, a professional background, a sense of humor, a temper & other humane complexities -- you feel like you know him. Ditto that for Hepburn in a fairly atypical (for her) 'loving mother' role. She's excellent - and the knowledge that the love of her life (Tracy) was so ill during filming must have aided her already impressive performance. She brings wit to the role; watch her deliciously berate her bigoted friend who stops for a visit. And I enjoyed this comment she makes to Matt late in the film, ""if what they (the kids) feel for each other is even 1/2 of what we felt, then that is ... everything". Every actor in this film knocks it out of the park; from the top names down to the charming monsignor played by Cecil Kellaway & the saucy maid, Tillie, well-played by Isabel Sanford.
The story ends on a fairly upbeat note, leaving audiences not only entertained but with new insight as to how they would face similar situations (remember, these are 1967 ideologies about interracial matters). I love that btwn. the lovers & 2 sets of parents, every possible character interaction is explored amidst both comedic moments & highly dramatic ones. And every familiar racial prejudice is brought up & dealt with during the course of the well-edited 108 minute run time. I love the idea that: John Prentice is a respected doctor, well-mannered, handsome & comes from a respected family. What more could any parent of any race want for their child? And yet, the race is issue is there. Thinking of the time & place, how could it not be?
And though this is a timely film about race/racism and the liberal stance of the parents ... it all results in a powerful "young love can conquer all" scenario. Although the young couples' future problems are acknowledged, the film is even more about the meaning of love; as expressed by Hepburn & Beah Richards' tender portrayal. So the script is intelligent & sensitive to all opinions on race. The cinematography is warm. Robert Clatworthy's production design is note-worthy {gorgeous modern apartment}. And the costumes (notably, Hepburn's) suit the progressive, liberal-thinking characters, as well.