Rating: 
Summary: 1967: The Year Of Sidney Poitier!
Review: The year 1967 was one where three subjects were on the minds of many Americans: the hippie revolution, war and predjudicism/racism. The latter is very well documented in the Stanley Kramer directorial epic "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", in that its subject, interracial relationships, somewhat examines the various types of prejudices people were casting out during that era. The movie begins with an elitist couple, Dr. John Prentice and Joey Drayton (both craftfully played by Oscar nominee Sidney Poitier and Katharine Houghton), who are experiencing a romantic high after meeting on vacation in Hawaii. Tired from the trip, Dr. Prentice wants a little r & r at a hotel, but Joey insists that The Good Doctor meet her upper class parents, so they imediately go to Joey's mother's place of employment, only to find her mother isn't there, then it's on to Joey's parents' home. Upon Mrs. Drayton's (played brilliantly to an Academy award nominated performance by Katharine Hepburn) first glance of Dr. Prentice, she is both shocked and amazed of the prospect that the doctor is black. Much the same is true about Mr. Drayton's postion on the situation (also played to an award-winning performance by Spencer Tracy), who's even more shocked and appalled over his daughter's relationship with Dr. Prentice than his wife is. The Drayton's maid Tillie (played wonderfully by Isabel Sanford [of "The Jeffersons"]) isn't all that crazy about Dr. Prentice, either, and sees him as nothing more than an arrogant, uppity man who enjoys getting what he wants, but that's further from the truth, as Joey sees Dr. Prentice as a kind, wonderful human being whom she wants to marry. As time progresses forward, Mrs. Drayton softens up in her stance concerning the relationship, while Mr. Drayton's stance gets even more firm with each passing moment. Note the painstakingly intense expression on Spencer Tracy's face during the many scenes of this picture. You can understand why he's been nominated for various awards throughout various points of his career. When Dr. Prentice's parents are invited to dinner, it seems that all hell will break loose, as both families continue to analyze the situation further. Even with some trite coddling and persuasion from Mrs. Drayton, she still is not able to sell the mixed marriage idea to her husband. At the same time, Dr. Prentice is having just as much difficulty in getting his father, and in certain instances his mother, to see the benefits of this relatinship. Notice the scene where Dr. Prentice stands up to his father. Sidney Poitier's remarkably intense, emotional acting style is unmistakable here, as he lets loose a temper with such fire and gusto. 1967 was perhaps Sidney Poitier's finest moment in theater, as he starred in three of the hottest movies that year: as the soft and stern scholteacher in "To Sir, With Love", as the convincing Virgil Tibbs in "In The Heat Of The Night" and in "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", all fine performances, indeed.As tensions continue to surface between both John and Joey's paternal parents, it is up to the Drayton's pastoral advisor, Monsignor Ryan, to talk some sense into the disrupted parties. He finally succeeds in the end, as one of the most emotional scenes in the movie occurs, courtesy of Katharine Hepburn. While on the road to Mr. Drayton's changing his mind about the marriage proceedings, which he comes to accept, Mrs. Drayton lets out a tear filled display of emotion that only Ms. Hepburn can create, which explains her wealth of fandom, not to mention several Oscar and Academy awards on her mantle throughout her glorious career. As is expected, all's well that ends well, as John and Joey are off to Switzerland for their wedding, which tearfully, we never get to witness. It is because of this fine film's theme, including its stunning cast, that makes "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" worthy of being in any motion picture connoisseur's video library. A must not miss!
Rating:
Summary: It's amazing how some things don't change
Review: While this movie was made some 10 years before I was born, It really connected with me on a level that not many other movies have. Even though it is clearly a vehicle for the filmmakers' political views, this movie stands on its own on the merit of the performances by all. As many others have said, Spencer Tracy gives an awesome performance as a man who has stood behind a printed page his whole life and must come to terms with what he has been saying. Being a SF Bay Area native, this movie was highly entertaining simply because of the fact that the movie was shot in SF and contains scenes at some great local spots, such as a much shorter skyline view from 101N and the Mel's on Lombard. Yet more striking for me was their portrayal of a mixed race couple, and the fact that I am a product of a mixed race marriage. This movie allowed me to gain a little bit of insight into what my parents must have gone through. And even though the movie ends fairly soon in their relationship, I can create my own conclusion to this story. In my version it's a very happy ending, a real life fulfillment Tracy's final speech. I wish more movies were made like this. Bringing current social issues to the forefront and dealing with them head on. Although the severity of the mayhem this happy couple caused may be slightly outdated, all the themes presented in this movie are very much alive, 34 years later. I see it around me every day.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning Perfomances
Review: The movie is about how the parents of a young couple (a white girl, and african american guy) have to struggle with themselves to decide what's best for their children. Superb acting from Hepburn, Poitier, & especially Tracy, who makes an unforgettable speech, his last, at the end of the movie. That speech alone makes the movie a treasured classic. I liked the way the movie handled the sensitive topic of racism. It blended unconditional love with hate in a way that had never before been seen on screen. If you are looking for a heartwrenching, heartwarming movie to see, this is the one for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth a watch
Review: While this movie seems to drag a bit in the middle section, I still reccommend it. Why? I'll tell you.This movie above all else, means well. The filmmakers are simply trying to say what they believe. This film is plain and simple, a soapbox. Nothing wrong with that. The performances are another reason to watch this movie. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn are worth watching in anything. Poiter doesn't give a performance quite up to par for him, but it is satisfactory. Poiter's parents are also great. There are some spectacular moments here. Great monologue by Tracy at the end makes the entire film worth watching. I don't cry about a film or book or tv show. I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually cried over a piece of mass media. Tears came to my eyes during this wonderful speech. They didn't break and run, but they were there. The film is sightly weighted down by a plodding midsection, but on retrospect I think it might have been made that way on purpose. Will there ever come a time when people of different color can live together in harmony? I think so. To get to that place, however, we will have to go through a process that parallels this film: long, arduous and drawn out periods, punctuated by moments of sheer genius and if we are lucky, at the end light will dawn.
Rating:
Summary: A movie with two personalities
Review: This was Tracy and Hepburn's last film together. He died shortly after completing it. The chemistry between the two of them was never more powerful or moving than in this film. They both knew this was his farewell performance, and it's hard to watch it without tears. And the love story, if you put your brain in neutral, is charming. Poitier gives a fine performance (has any actor, ever, given three more memorable performances in one calendar year than "In the Heat of the Night", "To Sir With Love", and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"?). So what's wrong with this film? Well, if you think about the issues realistically, this film is VERY dated. The airheaded daughter of a wealthy white couple comes home to introduce her fiance. He is the kind of prospective son-in-law whom any sane parents would go delirious over: a world-renowned doctor, a big wheel in the World Health Organization, dignified, educated, presumably financially comfortable. So why would anyone object? Because he's Black. The rest of the film is devoted to the debates between and within the two sets of parents about whether the marriage should take place. Generally the two mothers approve and the two fathers disapprove. Guess who wins? The idea that the filmmakers had to make the fiance so preposterously wonderful in order to make him seem even an acceptable match for this sawdust-brained rich girl seems completely laughable in the year 2000. Furthermore, why so much fuss over getting the parents to approve? Nowadays if the two of them wanted to get married, they would GET married - and the hell with their parents! For these reasons, the film has not aged well. If you can suspend your 21st-century attitudes toward love, race and marriage, then this film is charming. But suspending those attitudes isn't easy, even for a 53-year-old geezer like me.
Rating: 
Summary: OK For Its Time
Review: I guess this was an importabt movie when it came out, but when I saw it, it seemed a bit dated. Your daughter want so marry Mr. Perfect, so what's the problem. This wouldn't be an issue to me or to many other people nowadays, but it was apparently more loaded in the 20th century when race tensions were not quite as relaxed as they are now. Tracey and hepburn do a great job of portraying a very liberal minded couple whos convictions are finally put to the test, and Poitier does an excellent job of being every woman's dream fiance, but I still thought it was fairly dull. A sign of progress, maybe?
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Summary: Will keep you smiling
Review: I really enjoyed this movie! I had a smile on my face the entire time. Watched it again and again!
Rating:
Summary: It's not TOO bad - for 1967
Review: I personally find this film engaging simply because it almost seems to satirize the liberals of the 60's - the black and white issue in the film should really be secondary, yet Tracy and Hepburn are so wrapped up in the race jargon, they don't even seem to care that their (rather dimwitted) daughter is marrying a man quite a bit older than she (and what exactly does Poitier's character see in her, anyway?). In 1967, granted, I'm sure this film went over better with critics, but today its message is quite tepid, simply because the relationship between Poitier and Houghton's characters is so weak and because there are so many "poignant" scenes (between Hepburn and Richards, between Tracy and Poitier, between Poitier and Glenn) that seem to exist merely to wring the sympathy out of the audience. On the plus side - it's enjoyable to see Hepburn and Tracy in literally ANYTHING - and knowing how they actually felt about one another in real life, the speech Tracy makes at the end of the film takes on an added irony (no WONDER Hepburn can never bring herself to watch this film). I recommend it to be viewed as a time capsule of sorts showing how far we've come in only 35 years (you might find yourself chuckling a bit as the "liberal" parents talk about their daughter wanting to marry a "negro"). And as a grammarian of sorts, I have to ask . . why is there a question mark at the end of the title?
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Vintage Hollywood
Review: Excellent film. One of best and last of hollywood legends. Outstanding appeal of 60's values. You can't help but like this movie!
Rating:
Summary: You Can't Help But Like This Movie
Review: A wonderful film about a subject that is still all too controversial today. Some of the earnest upper middle class white liberal talk sounds sort of silly now, but the sentiment is right on and the acting (at least Hepburn and Tracy) is superb. Sidney Poitier grimaces and emotes a bit too much and luckily Katharine Houghton never really went on to anything else, but other than that, a good supporting cast. Little bits of silly '60's camp (the go-go dancing delivery boy) make for unexpected fun.
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