29
Feb
2012
Review: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier
Co-Starring: Katharine Houghton (Hepburn’s niece!)
Directed by: Stanley Kramer
Other notable contributors: Frank DeVol – score
Favorite scene: A racist employee at the family’s art gallery gets what’s coming to her when Hepburn fires her ass.
Favorite line: “After all, a lot of people are going to think we are a shocking pair.” John Prentice (Sidney Poitier)
Raves: The acting. As always, Hepburn, Tracy, and Poitier are flawless.
Rants: While watching this, I was sure it must have been an adaptation of an existing play because of how un-cinematic it was. Most of the action was confined to three rooms in the family house and the blocking was rather boring.
My take: The main focus of the film is the central conflict rather than plot, which makes it feel a bit slow at times because not that much happens. I’m glad I saw it for its cultural/historical significance, but it doesn’t warrant repeat viewings. Plus, another one to check off of the AFI 100 list – yay!
Recommended if: You’re interested in sociocultural issues and don’t mind light-on-action films.
Modern-Day Counterpart: The film was remade in 2005 as Guess Who with Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher.
This has been on my list for quite some time now, mostly because it’s referenced often (I feel). You have reminded me to find it at the library and watch it – SOON!
I loved this film. Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were wonderful to watch.