Racism is an issue that America has faced for decades and Kramer’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” really shows how silly the whole issue of skin color is. This film is a classic film that depicts how life in the 1960’s really was.
It is interesting to note that at the time of the film interracial marriage was still illegal in seventeen states in the USA. The film starts out by introducing the new couple Joey Drayton (Katherine Houghton) and Dr. John Wade Prentice (Sidney Poitier). Of course, Dr. Prentice is black, very well educated, and virtually a perfect except for his skin color. Kramer leaves no reason to dislike Dr. Prentice for the very purpose of pointing out racism. The turmoil begins when the couple meets Miss Drayton’s parents. Both are shocked but react slightly different.
It is also intriguing that the black maid hired by the Drayton’s is also hostile toward Dr. Prentice. African Americans at the time had discrimination problems among themselves also. His parents, who flew in to have dinner with the Drayton’s were not so content with the idea of an interracial marriage either. It was very uncommon in that time.
Once all the families have met they must decide whether they agree to the marriage of the couple or not. If they agree, they will be married but if not then Dr. Prentice will leave. This decision is the climax of the movie and definitely puts the audience on the edge of their seats.
The over all quality of the film is typical of its time. The acting is ho-hum and the comedy is a little corny. However, the over all message of the film still carries through and is the reason the film is a classic. The message will always be relevant until the country finally wakes up and realizes that racism is stupid. This film was one of the greats of its time and no doubt worth watching today.
It is interesting to note that at the time of the film interracial marriage was still illegal in seventeen states in the USA. The film starts out by introducing the new couple Joey Drayton (Katherine Houghton) and Dr. John Wade Prentice (Sidney Poitier). Of course, Dr. Prentice is black, very well educated, and virtually a perfect except for his skin color. Kramer leaves no reason to dislike Dr. Prentice for the very purpose of pointing out racism. The turmoil begins when the couple meets Miss Drayton’s parents. Both are shocked but react slightly different.
It is also intriguing that the black maid hired by the Drayton’s is also hostile toward Dr. Prentice. African Americans at the time had discrimination problems among themselves also. His parents, who flew in to have dinner with the Drayton’s were not so content with the idea of an interracial marriage either. It was very uncommon in that time.
Once all the families have met they must decide whether they agree to the marriage of the couple or not. If they agree, they will be married but if not then Dr. Prentice will leave. This decision is the climax of the movie and definitely puts the audience on the edge of their seats.
The over all quality of the film is typical of its time. The acting is ho-hum and the comedy is a little corny. However, the over all message of the film still carries through and is the reason the film is a classic. The message will always be relevant until the country finally wakes up and realizes that racism is stupid. This film was one of the greats of its time and no doubt worth watching today.
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Hmn; did you really think that the issues faced by the characters in the movie were silly? Which of the characters were racist?
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