Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

In a day and age when the movie theatres are filled with dramas and romantic comedies centered on unusual couplings it sometimes seems easy to forget one of the original odd couple movie, #99 on the 1997 version of AFI's list, Stanley Kramer's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Although maybe not that hard to forget since it's a film that relies on its ideas, interracial marriage and the acceptance thereof, rather than an abundance or artistic expression, ideas that were controversial and still can be now. I'm not, however, implying that the movie is forgettable in any way, far from it in fact. It's one of those movies that reminds of you of how great it is each time you see it, especially in the wonderful performances of it's extremely talented and pedigreed cast.

This drawing-room comedy-style film revolves around the arrival home of Joey Drayton (Katharine Houghton) with her new fiance, Dr. John Wade Prentice (Sidney Poitier). Prentice is a celebrated doctor who works on United Nations commitees, in Asia and Africa and is on his way that very night to Switzerland to do research work there...and just happens to be black. In 1967, when the movie was released, interracial marriage had only just be legalised in all 50 states and this supposed to be the main sticking point for Joey's liberal parents, Matt and Christina Drayton (Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn). In all honesty the excess perfection of Prentice's character, coupled with his manners, charms and good looks, seems (sadly) to be an effort by director Kramer (or the studios) to make the only problem with him his race. Although, let's not forget that they've only known each other 10 days and he's 14 years older than her! Nonetheless the latter issues are glossed over, leaving only, which is unfortunate of course, but it's also what has given this movie it's place in history. 

Anyway, I said earlier that race was the supposed sticking point. Christina quickly accepts Joey's decision, but after being approached by an apprehensive Dr. Prentice, who says he won't marry Joey if the Drayton's don't give their approval, Matt becomes fraught with indecision. I really think that this forcing a decision in a few short hours (remember, Prentice is flying to Switzerland that evening) is the real problem. No man likes to be given an ultimatum, yet alone in his own house by a relative stranger! While he spends most of the movie fretting, Matt is lectured by practically everyone he meets, his wife, their good friend Monsignor Ryan and even Prentice's mother, who has flown up for dinner. Needless to say every thing gets resolved in the end, tied up with a nice Hollywood bow.

Like I said, before getting sidetracked by the politics and plot of the movie, the real standout in this film are the performances of its leads. In their ninth and final pairing together Tracy and Hepburn just shine. When watching the always fantastic Hepburn's performance I couldn't help but wonder if the tears that seemed ever-present in her eyes, especially in her scenes with Tracy, were because she believed so strongly in the subject matter (it's said that she took the role without first reading the script) or because she knew this would be Tracy's last film. Hepburn and Tracy had long been domestic partners and starred in eight movies together before this one and always had an undeniable chemistry. It was no secret that Spencer Tracy was dying, in fact since the insurance companies wouldn't cover him, Hepburn and Kramer put their salaries in escrow in case he died during filming so another actor could take over. While he does look ill in the film, Tracy clearly didn't let his illness prevent him from putting his heart into this role. The final speech he gives at the end of the film about love is full of emotion, it's kind of heartbreaking to watch actually, especially with the knowledge that they were the final lines he ever spoke on film, dying only seventeen days after filming ended.

Not to worry I haven't forgotten about the "Guess who" from the title. Sidney Poitier is wonderful in this movie. In the movies he was in previous to this he often came off as a symbol, a black man who wouldn't let society put him in the place it thought he should be in. However I don't think I ever noticed in any of those other movies how natural an actor he was before, but in this movie every movement seems completely organic. It's easy to believe that he's the extremely accomplished Dr. his character is as he carries himself with a huge amount of grace and poise. 

In mentioning the cast there are three other characters who are not to be forgotten: Joey Drayton, Monsignor Ryan and Tillie, the Drayton's black housekeeper. Katharine Houghton (Katharine Hepburn's neice) was a newcomer in this film and was a firecracker as Joey Drayton. Joey is a liberal to the full extent and Houghton plays the headstrong young woman with a lot of energy. 

Monsignor Ryan is an old family friend of the Draytons who accepts the new couple with open arms. Cecil Kellaway is absolutely charming and almost steals the scene for me every time with the sparkle in his eye. His performance makes the Monsignor into one of those people you wish were real just so you could know them; kind, funny and most of all know when to give you good advice.

Finally there's Tillie, played by another newcomer, Isabel Sanford. She brings the black on black bias to demonstrate that interracial unions were not welcomed by both sides of the fence. Her character's dour demeanor and quick mouth make her a fun addition to an already stellar cast.

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?' is one of those movies I think everyone should see, whether it was on this list or not. While it's subject matter is outdated, it's a nice reminder of how far we've come as a culture; when parents should be more concerned with their daughters falling for vampires, I doubt any would object to a handsome black doctor! ;D Anyway, I know it was a day late but I hope you enjoyed this installment of my AFI reviews, until next time, keep it reel!