Not As Daring As You'd Think, and Wonderful Performances!
Added 9/20/2009
Stanley Kramer's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", while daring in theory (tackling interracial relationships, in 1967), played it far too 'safe', treating the issue so unrealistically that neither the black nor white communities of that time considered it as all that groundbreaking. But as an opportunity to see Sidney Poitier at the peak of his career, and experience the magic of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn a final time, the film can't be beat!
Film historians have long dismissed the social 'relevance' of the production, accurately pointing out that Poitier's character, a brilliant, wealthy young black doctor serving the U.N., was designed to be so completely unthreatening and saintly that any chance to address real issues is lost; the same can be said of Tracy's character, a wealthy, liberal white newspaper publisher who had spent his life championing civil rights. These stereotypical characters cost the film any sense of credibility, and the passionless portrayal of the romance between Poitier and Katharine Houghton (they only kiss once, viewed through a taxi driver's rearview mirror), with only her childish giggling and posturing to indicate the depth of their relationship, doesn't help, either (one wonders why he would even be attracted to this silly child!). The story hinges on Poitier's demand that without Tracy and Hepburn's unequivocal approval, he will 'walk away', and this, too, is unrealistic, designed solely to provide a platform for Tracy's climactic answer, one of the most moving speeches of his long career, and the best moment of the film. While Stanley Kramer will be remembered as a daring producer/director who tackled important social issues head-on, "Guess Who's Coming..." is, at best, a very tentative first step.
But as a showcase for three remarkable actors, this is an indispensable document. Tracy was so ill, during production (dying just 17 days after the film 'wrapped'), that he was uninsurable, with Kramer and Hepburn forced to promise to cover any losses, had he passed away before the film's completion. He was deeply touched by the gesture, and summoned up his remaining energy to give his performance the dynamic, yet thoughtful quality that characterized his best work (he would receive a posthumous Oscar nomination for the film). Poitier is almost as good, in a less challenging role, making his nearly superhuman character both accessible and sympathetic. Hepburn's role is much smaller, more in support than as a leading lady, and her 'Best Actress' Oscar was, honestly, undeserved (she would acknowledge it for what it really was; an Academy recognition of her and Tracy, both for this film and their other co-starring appearances, over 26 years). Her niece, Katharine Houghton, in her film debut as Poitier's fiance, is, honestly, little more than pretty window dressing.
For the film's 40th anniversary, an additional DVD of Special Features has been added, including a 'Making Of' feature with insights by contemporary filmmakers and surviving members of the original cast, and featuring a lovely look at the very special relationship of Tracy and Hepburn, the funny acceptance speech for the Irving Thalberg Award by Stanley Kramer, and more.
While "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is flawed as a social document, as cinema it is well worth owning!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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I was very impressed how quickly this DVD came. Only two days after I ordered it! It's a wonderful movie! Excited to have it among my movie collection.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Love this movie!!
Added 4/3/2009
Bought the movie for my wife as a gift. She has always loved this movie ever since she saw it as a young adult. Excellent movie. Arrived quickly and in good condition.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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TRACEY DOES IT AGAIN
Added 3/12/2009
Who's coming to dinner is a wonderful mixture of the right characters. Including the trio of Spencer Tracey, Katherine Hepburn, and Sidney Poitier. Those three just fit there roles perfectly and Spencer Tracey delivers an Amazing speech to end the movie before his death.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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This edition comes loaded with extras
Added 2/20/2009
The customers' reviews listed below by Amazon are from the former edition, this anniversary edition has 2 dvds and brings:
Introductions from Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Tom Brokaw, and Kramer's widow, Karen;
Featurette on the making of the film, "A Love Story of Today," which includes insights from Katharine Houghton, Norman Jewison, Lou Gossett Jr., and others involved with the production or commenting on its impact, as well as excerpts from interviews with Kramer. These interviews help to put the movie in a historical context, since it has such a controversial content;
"A Special Kind of Love" focuses on Tracy and Hepburn, and how everyone involved in the film was affected by Tracy's determination to finish the film despite his illness.
"Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth" is a tribute to the director, with input from a number of people who knew and worked with him or were influenced by him, including Dick van Dyke, Beau Bridges, Garry Marshall, Dennis Hopper, and Taylor Hackford.
Archival footage of Kramer receiving the Irving Thalberg award at the 1962 Academy Awards ceremony; Al Gore receiving the Stanley Kramer Award from the Producers Guild in 2007; a stills gallery from the film; and previews for the Frank Capra Collection and God Grew Tired of Us.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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Not As Daring As You'd Think, and Wonderful Performances!
Added 9/20/2009
Stanley Kramer's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", while daring in theory (tackling interracial relationships, in 1967), played it far too 'safe', treating the issue so unrealistically that neither the black nor white communities of that time considered it as all that groundbreaking. But as an opportunity to see Sidney Poitier at the peak of his career, and experience the magic of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn a final time, the film can't be beat!
Film historians have long dismissed the social 'relevance' of the production, accurately pointing out that Poitier's character, a brilliant, wealthy young black doctor serving the U.N., was designed to be so completely unthreatening and saintly that any chance to address real issues is lost; the same can be said of Tracy's character, a wealthy, liberal white newspaper publisher who had spent his life championing civil rights. These stereotypical characters cost the film any sense of credibility, and the passionless portrayal of the romance between Poitier and Katharine Houghton (they only kiss once, viewed through a taxi driver's rearview mirror), with only her childish giggling and posturing to indicate the depth of their relationship, doesn't help, either (one wonders why he would even be attracted to this silly child!). The story hinges on Poitier's demand that without Tracy and Hepburn's unequivocal approval, he will 'walk away', and this, too, is unrealistic, designed solely to provide a platform for Tracy's climactic answer, one of the most moving speeches of his long career, and the best moment of the film. While Stanley Kramer will be remembered as a daring producer/director who tackled important social issues head-on, "Guess Who's Coming..." is, at best, a very tentative first step.
But as a showcase for three remarkable actors, this is an indispensable document. Tracy was so ill, during production (dying just 17 days after the film 'wrapped'), that he was uninsurable, with Kramer and Hepburn forced to promise to cover any losses, had he passed away before the film's completion. He was deeply touched by the gesture, and summoned up his remaining energy to give his performance the dynamic, yet thoughtful quality that characterized his best work (he would receive a posthumous Oscar nomination for the film). Poitier is almost as good, in a less challenging role, making his nearly superhuman character both accessible and sympathetic. Hepburn's role is much smaller, more in support than as a leading lady, and her 'Best Actress' Oscar was, honestly, undeserved (she would acknowledge it for what it really was; an Academy recognition of her and Tracy, both for this film and their other co-starring appearances, over 26 years). Her niece, Katharine Houghton, in her film debut as Poitier's fiance, is, honestly, little more than pretty window dressing.
For the film's 40th anniversary, an additional DVD of Special Features has been added, including a 'Making Of' feature with insights by contemporary filmmakers and surviving members of the original cast, and featuring a lovely look at the very special relationship of Tracy and Hepburn, the funny acceptance speech for the Irving Thalberg Award by Stanley Kramer, and more.
While "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is flawed as a social document, as cinema it is well worth owning!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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I was very impressed how quickly this DVD came. Only two days after I ordered it! It's a wonderful movie! Excited to have it among my movie collection.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Love this movie!!
Added 4/3/2009
Bought the movie for my wife as a gift. She has always loved this movie ever since she saw it as a young adult. Excellent movie. Arrived quickly and in good condition.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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