Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) - NR

The title of the film may not end in a question mark, but it certainly poses a question. The answer to that question is: the new fiancee AND the new fiancee's parents. Unbeknownst to both sets of parents, their child's intended is from a different race. When the film came out in 1967, a bi-racial couple certainly was controversial. Starring Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy (in his final role), and Katharine Hepburn, the movie still entertains, as well as demonstrates that society has come a long way in 35 years. Isabel Sanford, who played Weezie Jefferson on The Jeffersons, plays a maid with an acerbic wit.

Questions for reflections and/or discussion:

• John Prentice's parents seem to be as surprised as Joey Drayton's parents. Do you think it's important for the movie to show the reactions of both sets of parents?
  
  
• How does the movie expose some of the prejudices of the characters, particularly those of Matt Drayton?
  
  
• The theme of disapproving parents goes at least as far back as Romeo and Juliet. How might a movie today pair a couple that would surprise both sets of parents?