123. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

"After all, a lot of people are going to think we're a shocking pair."

Plot: When a young, white woman comes home from a trip to Hawaii with a surprise fiance, her parents are shocked to discover that he is a black man.

My mom practically forced me to watch this film for the first time a few months ago. I enjoyed it well enough when I saw it, but I think the fact that I was watching it against my will tainted it for me. I really enjoyed it this time around.

What I appreciate most about this film is that, even in its sappier moments, it always seems to ring true. When I watch it, I see my own mother and father in Christina and Matt Drayton. And I love that we see the maturity in John's 37-year-old character and the naivete in 23-year-old Joanna.

I love movies that make you feel, shall we say, claustrophobic? Just a bunch of people thrown into a room and reacting off of each other. With the exception of a few shots in the airport, two minutes in an art gallery, and quick run to a drive-in, the whole film takes place in the Drayton's home. This movie is nothing but a slew of conversations in the house and on the terrace, but it never gets dull. All of the characters are fleshed out so well in the series of discussions that I truly felt like I knew them all by the end of it. And one of my favorite touches: different interactions lead to different revelations, especially when it comes to Matt, who is stiff and formal with John, frank with his wife, and quiet and pensive with John's mother.

I guess I should be touching on the fact that this film was way ahead of its time by supporting interracial marriage back in the late sixties. But you guys already knew that, and I'm sure that's why it made it onto AFI's 1998 list (It didn't make the cut for the 2007 list). I, of course, applaud the screenwriter and director for their open-mindedness. I also give them a tip of the hat for doing so without any pretension or preachy-ness. Well played, gentlemen, well played.

It also goes without saying that Tracy, Hepburn, and Poitier were fantastic (as always).

Honestly, I can't really think of much else to say for this one other than I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

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