Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jennifer X

  
  Pontificating, pretentious film. It's so fantasy it's crazy.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton, Cecil Kellaway, Beah Richards, Isabel Sanford, Roy Glenn, Virginia Christine Director: Stanley Kramer Summary: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star as wealthy Californians who consider themselves… More
  Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton, Cecil Kellaway, Beah Richards, Isabel Sanford, Roy Glenn, Virginia Christine Director: Stanley Kramer Summary: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star as wealthy Californians who consider themselves progressive until their only daughter (Katharine Houghton) brings home her African American fiancé (Sidney Poitier) in this snapshot of race relations in the late 1960s. The film earned two Academy Awards (for Hepburn's performance and William Rose's screenplay) and eight other nominations. My Thoughts: "I can't imagine what it must have been like when this film came out in 1967. How controversial it must have been to see a black man and a white woman in a relationship and going to be married. It of course isn't such a big deal in today's world. But for some, still an issue. It's a smartly written film with such great acting. I loved Spencer Tracy as the father and Cecil Kellaway, who was quite funny as the Monsignor. I'm sure it made people think, talk about it more, and changed peoples views. My mother said the movie was a very big deal when it came out. That some people were outraged and disgusted while other's where impressed and celebrated the film in hopes of changing some persons views. The ending speech that Spencer Tracy gives near the end of the film is moving. Kudos to everyone who was apart in making this, which I am sure was a ground breaking film in that time."

• Chris W

  
  Oh man, this movie. For what's it's worth, I'll just say right off the bat that no matter what, this was, is, and always will be a film worthy of serious thought and discussion, and that's one of the biggest compliments I can give to it or any movie. The story is… More
  Oh man, this movie. For what's it's worth, I'll just say right off the bat that no matter what, this was, is, and always will be a film worthy of serious thought and discussion, and that's one of the biggest compliments I can give to it or any movie. The story is one about interracial love. Dr. John Prentice is a successful, kind, and sensitive African American who, depsite only knowing her for 10 days, has fallen in love with a nice young white girl girl named Joey Drayton. His parents are working class, or at least were. Her parents are wealthy upper class old line liberals. The plot of the movie concerns John and Joey going to see her parents to tell them of their intentions to marry as soon as they can due to his demanding schedule, and of course, their approval. The movie examines various perspectives concerning the issue of interracial marriage, whichwhen the film was being made was illegal in 17 states. Within several months that was no longer the case, but the time period was still rife with tensions as the country was dealing with Civil Rights and Vietnam. The film is dated to an extent, even though in some places the central issue of the film is actually still cause for some concern. Modern audiences however, would proably have more of an issue with the fact that John and Joey have only known each other for 10 days though. The film is to be commended for at least treating the subject seriously and in a dramatic manner, though there is some humor here and there to keep the film from being too heavy and pretentious. The writing does have some faults, such as John being presented as pretty much flawless and maybe a tad Uncle Tomish (maybe to make the film more comfortable for white audiences), and their love is shown as pure and chaste, but it does touch upon black on black racism, even if the film really comes off as more about white guilt, oh, and the ending. The film does play it safe at times, but that's mostly the hindsight talking. I understand that this was a risky film when it came out, and I'm thankful it was made to begin with. Where this film shines and is at its best is with the acting. This is the strongest part of the film. There's an overflow of monologues here, but the dialogues are engaging and well done. Poitier is really good as Prentice though, as I mentioned, his character is maybe too perfect. Katherine Houghton is really good as Joey, I loved Isabel Sanford as the Drayton's black maid who really sticks it to John. Everyone usually makes the boiggest deal though about Hepburn and Tracy. This was their final film together, and his final film period (he died 17 days after filming wrapped). During his final monologue, the tears in Hepburn's eyes were real as both she and him knew that because of his poor health, this would be the last work he'd ever do. The final scene is powerful and moving enough as is, but this knowledge makes it even more so. This is an entertaining film, and it tries to do something and say something, but I really had a hard time with it, mostly because I was watching it (and am reviewing it) with two different mindsets (scholar studying black history and regular film fan) running simultaneously, thus my opinion about it is mixed, though I'm trying to find a middle ground. For those reasons, and the reasons I've lsited throughout this review, I gotta be fair and gve this one a straight B. I do encourage you to see it, but I do think that it could have been better, no matter how risky it was back then. Like I said, at least it got made in the first place.

• AJ V

  
  I liked this movie because of the fantastic cast and their fantastic performances, but I didn't care for the story that much. I know it was a big deal at the time, but today we don't think much of race relation stories. It's a great movie for its time, and if you view… More
  I liked this movie because of the fantastic cast and their fantastic performances, but I didn't care for the story that much. I know it was a big deal at the time, but today we don't think much of race relation stories. It's a great movie for its time, and if you view it from the sixties point of view you can understand it better, I think.

• Spencer S

  
  At this influential time in the Civil Rights movement, and in American history, it was finally good to see a true represenation of an African American in the cinema who wasn't playing a slave, housekeeper, or part of a gospel choir. The tension is thrown out on the screen for all… More
  At this influential time in the Civil Rights movement, and in American history, it was finally good to see a true represenation of an African American in the cinema who wasn't playing a slave, housekeeper, or part of a gospel choir. The tension is thrown out on the screen for all to see, a perpetual parade of the dirty laundry of the day. It's no holds barred for racial misconceptions, fallacies, and genuine doubt between the families. A true historical record.

• Lenny M

  
  Sidney Poitier is a dapper oreo, a sign of the times movie, controversy, exogamy no no no, endogamy yes yes yes. We all prefer exogamy because Sidney said so, it's the San Francisco treat.

• Daniel P

  
  One of the all-time greatest movies you will ever see: Sidney Poitier in a tour de force, Katharine Hepburn in an Academy Award-winning role, and Spencer Tracy's final role as the father who just can't seem to change with the times all come together to easily overcome the… More
  One of the all-time greatest movies you will ever see: Sidney Poitier in a tour de force, Katharine Hepburn in an Academy Award-winning role, and Spencer Tracy's final role as the father who just can't seem to change with the times all come together to easily overcome the film's only weak spot: Katharine Houghton's inexperienced acting. An absolute powderkeg of a film that takes its time, letting the story out in short scenes that feature meaningful conversations that flip from heart-wrenching to heart-warming and back again, and from time to time, some desperately needed levity. Beautifully shot and filled with some terrifyingly dark comedic moments (you know you shouldn't laugh, but you just can't help it), this is a film not to be missed. So good, in fact, that I may watch the Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac take-off for the sole purpose of ripping it to shreds... man, that would feel good. Though it's a little speechy, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a film that you absolutely must see before you die (but you likely knew that before Steven Jay Schneider told you so); and in their greatest injustice, AFI bumped this off its Top 100 last time around to add (to name only two terrible inclusions!) Titanic and The Sixth Sense. For shame.

• Drew S

  
  My big problem with Ordinary People was that it was full of soulless white folks maneuvering through potent issues without offering much insight on anything. It isn't a bad movie, and I could relate to a lot of the struggles of the son, but it was so largely disengaging that most… More
  My big problem with Ordinary People was that it was full of soulless white folks maneuvering through potent issues without offering much insight on anything. It isn't a bad movie, and I could relate to a lot of the struggles of the son, but it was so largely disengaging that most of it has left me already. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner suffers the exact same curse - it is a stiflingly white movie, and with a black main character no less! I found the movie to be pretty decent, but my film professor brought up an interesting point about it - this movie is all about white liberal guilt. The Sidney Poitier character is a cipher, designed to be untouchable by audience perceptions so that the writers are free to attack the bare issue of racism. It's a noble goal but there are still problems, mainly in that the dramatic impetus of the movie centers entirely around the patriarchal white man. Food for thought, you know? Well-acted and well-written (if agitatingly fond of the monologues), I guess I can't hate this movie too much. I don't think it really meant any harm by what it was doing, but there's no edge here, no controversy. It has aged very poorly.

• danny d

  
  a film that is completely diologue driven, this film is beautifully written and incredibly profound. the acting and cinematography were also great. this is probably the best film from 1967, which is one of the most important years for film in history. funny and quirky yet very… More
  a film that is completely diologue driven, this film is beautifully written and incredibly profound. the acting and cinematography were also great. this is probably the best film from 1967, which is one of the most important years for film in history. funny and quirky yet very important, this is a must watch.

• xGary X

  
  A rather rose tinted drama tackling race issues when a young white liberal brings home her black fiancee to meet her parents. It's intelligently and thoughtfully written, and the pairing of Tracy and Hepburn is forever watchable, but some may find Poitier's eminent doctor… More
  A rather rose tinted drama tackling race issues when a young white liberal brings home her black fiancee to meet her parents. It's intelligently and thoughtfully written, and the pairing of Tracy and Hepburn is forever watchable, but some may find Poitier's eminent doctor and all-round over achiever a little too good to be true. A fine film nonetheless.

• Sarah G

  
  Joey Drayton brings her fiancé, Dr. John Prentice, home to sunny San Francisco to meet her affluent parents. Their liberal persuasions are now put to the test, for although the young man is an ideal choice (he's highly and internationally respected in the medical field, and… More
  Joey Drayton brings her fiancé, Dr. John Prentice, home to sunny San Francisco to meet her affluent parents. Their liberal persuasions are now put to the test, for although the young man is an ideal choice (he's highly and internationally respected in the medical field, and he's impeccably mannered, handsome, well dressed and of a respectable California family), he's black. The film, which covers one busy day in the Drayton home, is essentially a drawing-room comedy, a series of cross-conversations between the young doctor and the girl's parents, and finally between all sets of parents and offspring. A simple dinner is extended to include the doctor's parents, who fly up from Los Angeles for the evening, and the crusty but benevolent old Irish priest, a friend of the family. Thus, the title of the film. One excellent film portraying the problems in the 60's of mixed race marraiges and racism. Something which I didn't expect to enjoy at all but by the end of the film I was hooked. Despite it being 40 years old for me it didn't feel outdated at all. The issue explored, despite the fact that society accepts this, still felt like it could happen today. The two Fathers seemed to be more concernred with their own issues of loosing children perhaps. The film has such power on this issue for me. Whilst some people wouldn't understand it it's such a well made film that I couldn't care less. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was nominated for 10 academt award in 1967 and winning two of them. One of them included another win for Hepburn and it's brilliant script. To be honest I didn't feel she performed all that well. Poitier was far better. The script for me was brilliant. In particular the final seen, done by a dying Tracey at that time, in which he declares that he approves of the marriage was incredibly poignent. Most probably because it was obviously more true in real life. Certainly the film was trying to show a message that this really isn't all that bad as well. This is most certainly shown int the script. Overall worth the watch for the interesting chemistry between the two families. Despite their being aspects that aren't shocking today you'll still get the sense that this probably still goes on today. <b>HIGHLY RECOMEDNED</b> 8.5/10

• Lanning :

  
  Tracy and Hepburn, still gold in their golden years. An interesting meditation on race and marriage, especially for its time period.

• jay n

  
  lovely performances by hepburn and tracy only go so far against poitier's stiffness and houghton flat personality

• Michael G

  
  The best of Tracy and Hepburn's films. Tracy's monologue at the end and the scene where Weezie Jefferson tells of Sidney Poitier are incredible.

• Jeremy S

  
  Excellent concept poor portrayl. To test your family's socially liberal resolve bring home a racial different boy/girlfriend for dinner and see what happens. Despite it's faults it is moving, especially for a scene in which the parents reflect on the power of love. I… More
  Excellent concept poor portrayl. To test your family's socially liberal resolve bring home a racial different boy/girlfriend for dinner and see what happens. Despite it's faults it is moving, especially for a scene in which the parents reflect on the power of love. I can't believe Hepburn won another Academy Award for Best Actress for her role.

• Byron B

  
  The last great Spencer Tracy Katherine Hepburn pairing. And another performance from Sidney Poitier that I love. I have a scene from this movie saved to my favorites here; I don't remember it making such an impact when I watched the whole film, but it's a very important… More
  The last great Spencer Tracy Katherine Hepburn pairing. And another performance from Sidney Poitier that I love. I have a scene from this movie saved to my favorites here; I don't remember it making such an impact when I watched the whole film, but it's a very important monologue given by Mr. Poitier that I think reveals a great truth about the generation gap.

• Bryce I

  
  At the time of it's release, there's no doubt that it caused a lot of fuss. The subject matter had never been seen and it was taking on a very serious topic. But now that it's time has passed, I think we can all agree that there is nothing special about this film. Apart… More
  At the time of it's release, there's no doubt that it caused a lot of fuss. The subject matter had never been seen and it was taking on a very serious topic. But now that it's time has passed, I think we can all agree that there is nothing special about this film. Apart from it's subject matter, it doesn't try anything new and sticks to it's old cliche plot. The performances are brilliant, but with a cast like Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Sidney Poitier, would you really expect anything less. Now it will always be a film that will cause controversy. There is no doubt about that. The story seems written for serious thought and discussion. But with an all star cast of brilliant actors, and a wonderful director like Stanley Kramer, there was so much more potential. Playing it safe turned a classic, into a mediocre drama.

• Dannielle A

  
  What I liked about this movie is the message that all men are equal and the color of their skin should not matter. The thing I didn't like about the movie is that the fact that they JUST MET was not a factor in the parents' decision of whether they would give the blessing.… More
  What I liked about this movie is the message that all men are equal and the color of their skin should not matter. The thing I didn't like about the movie is that the fact that they JUST MET was not a factor in the parents' decision of whether they would give the blessing. It seems to me that no one took into consideration that they only knew each other for ten days and then they wanted to commit the rest of their lives to loving one another based on a FEELING. The father says at the pinicle of the movie, "It doesn't matter a damn what we think. The only thing that matters is what they feel and how much they feel for each other." Love is not about a feeling. It's about a commitment to serve one another and care for one another until death separates. It is about a friendship (which I don't know if they could establish in ten days even if they did spend every moment together.) Anyway, I really think this movie would be more powerful if they hadn't met ten days ago rather they'd gotten to know each other better over time. But I don't know... maybe you could get to know someone in ten days. Anyway, there were some great moments like when John said to his dad, "You think of yourself as a colored man and I think of myself as a man."

• Cinema F

  
  Opinions were sharply at odds on this film. This time the subject was the ticklish one of inter-racial marriage ( it was in the 1960's when interracial marriages in a few states in the USA were illegal.) In 1967's San Francisco, after the Civil Rights Act has been signed… More
  Opinions were sharply at odds on this film. This time the subject was the ticklish one of inter-racial marriage ( it was in the 1960's when interracial marriages in a few states in the USA were illegal.) In 1967's San Francisco, after the Civil Rights Act has been signed but before Martin Luther King has been assassinated, young Joanna Drayton (Katharine Houghton) arrives back at her parents' upscale home after being away for a while. She wanted to marry a black , and albeit the daughter of ultra-liberal parents, their principles put to a severe test. Her parents, the prominent liberal newspaper owner Matt Drayton (Spencer Tracy) and his elegant wife Christina (Katharine Hepburn) are delighted to see her but are suddenly taken aback when she reveals that she's had a new boyfriend for 10 days, he's 14 years older, she's in love, she's going to marry him, and she needs their blessing tonight. Oh, and he's 'colored.' As Joanna blithely explains, 'It never occurred to me that I would fall in love with a Negro, but I have, and nothing's going to change that.' Of course, Sidney Poitier is an ideal choice: An internationally respected specialist in his field (medicine), impeccably mannered, handsome, well-dressed, and a descendant of a respectable California family. What more could a mother want for her child? Of course, our daughters could marry nice black doctors like Poitier. Forty four years old now, the issues it dared to raise at a time when they were extremely controversial still echo across the decades. It's dated a bit, but to watch it today is to measure how far we've come. Subject matter aside, the film surely owed much of its popularity to the appearance in it of Hepburn and Tracy as the mum and dad of the girl. It's the ninth time Tracy had acted in this picture with Hepburn and they both played together as beautifully as always. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," probably remembered today as more of a Sidney Poitier film than anyone else's. It was the last time Tracy and Hepburn would appear together in a film, and, indeed, the last film Tracy would make, his passing away shortly after the film wrapped.

• Deb S

  
  This film was beautifully done and thought provoking. This is a movie about forbidden love; it's about loving someone no matter what society thinks, or what the rules are. All in all, I feel this movie has a very touching look on how people are forced to question their views on… More
  This film was beautifully done and thought provoking. This is a movie about forbidden love; it's about loving someone no matter what society thinks, or what the rules are. All in all, I feel this movie has a very touching look on how people are forced to question their views on race when their children bring home potential spouses of different races because even in today's era, many couples still have to face the same hurdles. It shows us that all men are created equal in a way that no one can tear down. When this movie was released, mixed-race relationships were illegal in like 13 southern states up until recent years. (People still have a hard time accepting interracial couples now. Just this week a Louisiana justice of the peace refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long!!!go figure!!!.) The film is worth watching with excellent performances by the leads. Katharine Hepburn is wonderful, and Spencer Tracy who was dying at the time is poignant and Poitier is simply superb and brilliant as well. The power in this film comes from the parents, particularly Tracy and Hepburn. Their comfort on-screen with each other is palpable and you know you really are watching an old couple deal with what life has thrown their way. The drama of the final few scenes is just unparalleled and Tracy's final speech, about his love for Hepburn can drive even the most twisted soul to tears. (It was fairly well-known this would be the final picture with Hepburn and Tracey, so the emotion in Hepburn's face undoubtedly was a true one.)

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