Average Rating: 
Rating: - A good message movie because it still has some relevance.
When it was made it 1967, "Guess Who`s Coming to Dinner" reflected upon the changing times in America. African-Americans were protected by the law, but still were not respected by everyone, as Stanley Kramer showed in this movie about a debate between two families over an inter-racial marriage. His film is a message that, in such a case, it shouldn't matter as to what color they are but as to how much they love another. While an overall good movie, some of its ideas have dated. First off, Sidney Poitier's character, in order to be worthy of the white girl (Katharine Houghton) has to be wealthy and a doctor who happens to work in Hawaii. Second, the subject of interracial marriage, while still not accepted by some, has become somewhat common in our society. If such a movie were made nowadays, it would probably deal with the subject of homosexual marriage. Spencer Tracy is dominant as usual in this picture. For one thing, he gets reunited with co-star Katharine Hepburn for the first time since the late '50's. And he is in his first major film in about 3 or 4 years. Finally, he gives everything he has because he didn't have much left to live. Ill during the production, he died just days after completion. Both Tracy and Hepburn got Oscar nominations, with Kate emerging victorious (Though some might say voters felt sympathetic for her following Spence's loss). It is surprising that Poitier, who had a tremendous year in '67 (In addition to this, there was Best Picture winner "In The Heat of the Night") was not nominated at all for this or any other film that year. While I can't compare it to his other work (Since I haven't seen any other of his movies), I think he was very good in the role.
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", while a bit aged, is still recommended watching. Not just to see how our ideals have changed since it was first released, but because some themes shown here may still have relevance (Homosexual and interracial marriage can be compared and both are subjects much debated about). Watch it also for Spencer Tracy, who is in a moving moment you could easily miss if you don't know its importance. It is during the last scene. Spence is giving a speech about why Houghton and Poitier should get married. The camera takes a look at Hepburn's face. She is misty eyed, not just because of the words he is saying, but because she knew this would be Tracy's last film and thus the last time she would be able to star with him. Now the usage of the song "The Story of Love" seems most fitting...
Rating:  - GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER...OSCAR, THAT'S WHO!
Words can't even describe how good this movie is, but I'll try. This film was made in 1967 (can you believe that). It's the story of an interracial couple (Katherine Houghton and Sidney Poitier), who travel to San Francisco to tell Houghton's parents (Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn) of their engagement.
You can imagine the controversy this movie must have made back in the '60s, but the film makers handeled it very well and very resposibily. I love this movie so much, because it takes a very obvious problem in society (both then and now) and brings it out in the open for all to see. I APPLAUD everyone who was involved with the film. It was a stroke of genius. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" shows just how ridiculous people's prejudices can be. This film proves that "All in the Family" wasn't the first Hollywood project to make light of these issues.
And so I ask the kids, instead of renting your usual "Freddy Got Fingered" or "Dude, where's My Car" movies, rent "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." You'll see, after you watch it, what a real movie is like.
Rating:  - Worth a watch
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.
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