Guess Who (2005)

43% of critics liked it
(149 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(252,244 ratings)

A man gets a very big surprise when he meets his prospective son-in-law in this comedy. Percy Jones (Bernie Mac) is the understandably proud father of Theresa (Zoe Saldana), a beautiful and intelligent young woman living in New York City. When Percy learns that his daughter is dating someone and… More A man gets a very big surprise when he meets his prospective son-in-law in this comedy. Percy Jones (Bernie Mac) is the understandably proud father of Theresa (Zoe Saldana), a beautiful and intelligent young woman living in New York City. When Percy learns that his daughter is dating someone and things are getting serious, he decides to do some research, and learns that her beau is a solid businessman. Percy arranges to meet the young man, but is a bit taken aback when he comes face to face with Simon Green (Ashton Kutcher) -- Percy and his wife are African-American, and Simon is very, but very Caucasian. When it becomes clear that Simon and Theresa's relationship is likely altar-bound, Percy finds himself suddenly full of misgivings about the young man, especially since Simon tends to get rather clumsy when he's nervous. Guess Who was loosely adapted from the 1967 hit Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, though the race of the prospective father and son have been swapped, and the original film's comic undercurrent has been pushed to the forefront. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Ashton Kutcher
Written By: David Ronn, Jay Scherick
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 25, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Aug 2, 2005
Studio: Sony Pictures

Critic Reviews

Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News
Mac and Kutcher have proved themselves better comics than actors, but both give charming, subtle performances here.
Peter L'Official, Village Voice
The film is predictable and its humor is tension free.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I say sometimes that scripts get rewritten too much. I don't know if this one got rewritten too much or not enough, but I wish they had given it another go and tried to strike a more consistent tone.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
The timing of nearly every gag is just half a beat off, and that half-beat is a killer.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Let's just say that, on the charge of comedic intentions, the cinematic jury is still out.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Might provide a much-needed fix for Mac's most ardent fans, but they'll have to wait for a star vehicle that fully exploits the range of his comic gifts.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Update on Poitier classic isn't as memorable.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Here's a comedy premised on racial unease, and it's too timid to uncork actual racial humor.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
A bland rom-com that seems afraid of its own subject matter.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review in Greek
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
A rule: any time you see the movie's stars racing in go-karts, it's because the script ran out of funny things to do.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Chris W

This is a loose remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with a race reversal, but it seems to have far more in common with Meet the Parents (with a racial twist). Unlike the 1967 film, this bypass serious drama and instead goes for the path of farce. In a way, this film really… More
This is a loose remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with a race reversal, but it seems to have far more in common with Meet the Parents (with a racial twist). Unlike the 1967 film, this bypass serious drama and instead goes for the path of farce. In a way, this film really doesn't have a lot of impact. In 1967, interracial relationships were a far more touchy subject. Now they really aren't that big of a deal. Also, by going for the farce route, there's not really a lot of substance here. There are a couple of really good scenes that go in that direction, but this is mostly just a racial comey of mistrust and misunderstanding. This kind of thing has been done before as well, and also better. This is still mildly passable and decent entertainment though. I laughed a handful of times, enjoyed the performances, and really enjoyed the dinner table scene. That's the best scene, and also happens to be the one touching upon something more deep and meaningful. It's a shame that the rest of the film couldn't be like that. As I said though, this is still an okay film as is. Saldana and Kutcher are both decent, but each has delivered better than this. This is really Bernie Mac's movie. He does a great job of playing the suspicious, sardonic, and mistrusting father who's not too impressed with her's daughter's white fiancee. He's got good chemistry with the rest of the cast, and is just a lot of fun to watch. You don't have to see this movie (even though I am mildly recommending it), but if you do, see it for the performances (especially Mac's), and the aforementioned dinner table scene.
Bethany M

Very funny!
KJ P

Bernie Mac is hilarious! He keeps this average movie going, which makes it soo much better!
Luke B

Meet the Parents with an extra war of the races twist. It mostly relies on those comedic moments of pure painful embarrassment which are all handled very well and taken to the extreme. Kutcher being coaxed into telling black jokes to his future in laws is a prime example of upping the… More
Meet the Parents with an extra war of the races twist. It mostly relies on those comedic moments of pure painful embarrassment which are all handled very well and taken to the extreme. Kutcher being coaxed into telling black jokes to his future in laws is a prime example of upping the ante with each minute waiting for the inevitable downfall. The film works as it laughs with each race as opposed to at them, well sometimes at them, but in a sweet kind of way not likely to offend. Other than that though it is far too predictable to be any purposeful comment on society. Still it's true enough and well acted for the required chuckles, groans, and aaaawwwwww's.
Candy R

Romcom about an interracial relationship between Ashton Kutcher and Zoë Sandaña, which causes tension when he meets her father Bernie Mac. Predictable but loveable. Ashton is hot!
Josh L

Although it wasn't a very good remake because it is based on a "classic" I still thought it was a slick and entertaining comedy. Yes, the racial issues it presents aren't even close to as big of an issue as it was when the original came out, you can't help but… More
Although it wasn't a very good remake because it is based on a "classic" I still thought it was a slick and entertaining comedy. Yes, the racial issues it presents aren't even close to as big of an issue as it was when the original came out, you can't help but still enjoy this movie overall.
EightThirty .

Pretty Funny ^_^
Dean M

Fine comedy with Bernie Mac who determines Ashton Kutcher to break his daughter's engagement because Ashton's white. It is equal to the 1967 remake Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with different opposite sex between black and white people.
Todd S

This is a remake of the 1967 film, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, however in this version roles are reversed and Ashton Kutcher is the minority. This movie was great for two reasons. All the talented people that star in it and for how it played on something we generally don't… More
This is a remake of the 1967 film, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, however in this version roles are reversed and Ashton Kutcher is the minority. This movie was great for two reasons. All the talented people that star in it and for how it played on something we generally don't talk about, reverse racism. It gives everyone a chance to see things from the other sides perspective. At the same time, it's clever, and funny. Guess Who is a can't miss!
Dannielle A

So awkward!
Christopher O

It is weak if considered a remake of the Sidney Poitier Classic Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, but as romantic comedy it is decent. Kutcher and Mac are good together and you root for him to get the girl. Funny scenes ensuse especially the ones that deal with the differences… More
It is weak if considered a remake of the Sidney Poitier Classic Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, but as romantic comedy it is decent. Kutcher and Mac are good together and you root for him to get the girl. Funny scenes ensuse especially the ones that deal with the differences between the races. Saladana is lovely and a good actress. A decent film if it isn't compared to a classic one.
Nicolas K

I did not find it particularly funny.
Yinalí R

Super funny.
Andrew F

I like Ashton Kutcher, but I hate Bernie Mac and this movie. Why did they even try to remake the classic Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? It should be ashamed to share two words with Guess Who.
Donna D

I thought this movie was going to be funny, seeing that Bernie Mac was the lead actor, but it really didn't appeal to me as much. I was annoyed more with Zoe Saldana's character opposite Ashton Kutcher who did a good job, but just wasn't as funny as he could have been.… More
I thought this movie was going to be funny, seeing that Bernie Mac was the lead actor, but it really didn't appeal to me as much. I was annoyed more with Zoe Saldana's character opposite Ashton Kutcher who did a good job, but just wasn't as funny as he could have been. A disappointment.
Ira Z

At first, it's quite entertaining to see Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac bust each others balls. But it gets old fast after awhile.
Sean S

This should have been truly horrible but I just liked all the characters. The actors brought a lot of charisma to their parts and for the most part it was just funny.
Leo L

Funny!
Sunil J

Smart and funny. I really like it.
Sarah P

Hey this will be funny! A black man shunning his daughters white boyfriend. Oh wait, it's not 1964? Okay, nevermind...