On G List of Movie Reviews
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
3/16, 5/19
3/16:
Because of its willingness to tackle racial intermarriage, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is one of the most powerful
films made.
The performances rendered by Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton, Spencer Tracy (who comically wears eyeglasses with no lenses),
and Katharine Hepburn make it a transcendent film. The latter deserved the Oscar for her spirited, moving performance; she
did believe in the material and thus gave it all she had. Katharine never saw the picture due to her inability to handle the
memories of Spencer Tracy's failing health. Appearing in the final film of a long, great career, Tracy died seventeen
days after completion.
The discussions carried out by the characters are so interesting that it's hard not to be fascinated. Putting Spencer Tracy's
character on the spot for his longtime steadfast attitude in favor of interracial marriage is the best part
because it's the moment of truth to find out whether or not he's a hypocrite since it's his white daughter who will be
married to a black man.
Yet I wonder what would have happened if John Prentice wasn't so perfect and eminent. I guess we'll never know.
Rather, my biggest issue is how long he and fiancée had known each other. Of course, it's the point: to decide quickly in a
matter of hours by forcing everybody to answer the truth with no wall to back up on.
All in all, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a powerful classic that's laden with exceptional performances.
5/19:
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is the fitting end of Spencer Tracy's glorious career as he'll pass away just days
after the completion of filming.
Just as powerful as it was in 1967, the movie still resonates. Back then, interracial marriage was illegal in
many states. Today, it's commonplace.
Scores of critics have missed the point: Sidney Poitier's character is supposed to be so perfect that the only concerning
issue is his skin color. Nabbing her second Oscar win of four, Katharine Hepburn sure looks moved by all of it.
Her niece Katharine Houghton is superb as the lively daughter-fiancée who only knows happiness.
All in all, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a timeless classic.