Guess
Who
Description of Film:
This film is based on the classic, 1967 Oscar-winning
film “Guess Who is Coming to Dinner,”
starring Sidney Poitier and Spencer Tracy. In
this modern version, Percy Jones (Bernie Mac),
a black man with a huge personality, is devoted
to making sure that his daughters don’t
associate with the wrong kind of men. When his
daughter Theresa (Zoë Saldaña) tells
her parents that she is bringing a new boyfriend,
Simon (Ashton Kutcher), to their anniversary
party, Percy gets curious. He does a background
investigation on Simon and discovers that he
is a thriving investment broker. What he doesn’t
learn, however, is more important. Simon recently
quit his job, is engaged to Theresa, and is
white. This is a huge problem for Percy and
serves as the ground for most of the film’s
conflict.
Most of the comedic moments in Guess Who stem
from the ensuing racial clash (such as a scene
where Percy encourages Simon to tell "black
jokes"). Things between Percy and Simon
are rocky from the start. Percy goes out of
his way to frighten and scoff at the younger
man. On the eve of the anniversary part, the
family is ripped apart by the conflict over
race and relationship. Interestingly, the racial
barrier between Theresa and Percy seems to affect
Percy more than any of the other characters
in the movie. Eventually, Percy realizes that
love doesn’t have any color and that Simon
really does care for his daughter.
Guess Who was directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan
(How Stella Got Her Groove Back) and is rated
PG-13 for its profanity and sexual situations.
Why I Recommend This Film:
This film aims to combat racism and racial
stereotypes in a comedic way. The tone throughout
the film is generally appropriate. This film
breaks away from the brutal reality of racial
differences and combats the pitfalls of prejudice
in a lighthearted manner.
Why This Film is Important:
This film is important because it addresses
the social taboo of interracial dating and the
difficulties it poses, in a humorous, yet truthful
way. This film shows that race doesn’t
have to be an issue when it comes to love and
respect between two people. This film also shows
that character is what makes a person, not the
color of one’s skin.
Favorite Quotation: Percy
has encouraged Simon to tell a black joke. As
the family laughs, Percy asks for a second joke.
Simon: “What are three things a black
guy can't get? A black eye, a fat lip and a
job...[the laughing stops]”
Howard Jones: “I tell ya I'm gonna
kick that boy's ass!”
References: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002096.cfm
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/reviews/guess_who.html |
