Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Analysis
The film, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, was a groundbreaking film in its time. The film was set in 1967, a time when racial tensions between whites and African Americans were immense. Through this film, the racial attitudes and mindsets were brought into light to many Americans. What made this film was so groundbreaking was because it challenged these very racist and prodigious attitudes of many in America. Ultimately, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner gave presented a new view on the dignity of every human being and how love isn’t restricted to race. The two main characters of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner are Joey Drayton, a white woman and John Prentice, a black male. The two met in Hawaii and began to form a loving relationship there. Eventually,
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The Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia, that struck down laws that prohibited interracial marriage happened recently. Therefore, a new generation was slowly forming, one that was more accepting of interracial marriage. But as evidenced in the movie, many still had trouble accepting this. Moreover, some critics pointed out that despite this film’s attempt to call for racial equality, the way the script was played out enforced the racial societal examples. There are two examples that support their viewpoint. The first is how John was an accomplished doctor for the U.N. While there were accomplished African Americans at the time, this was not norm for the majority of African Americans. The second example is how the permission of the marriage ultimately came down to the white male’s decision. His verdict outweighed any input from an African American or a woman. Critics say that this hurts the purpose of the film. However, a deeper understanding allows one to see that this furthers the purpose. John Prentice’s occupation as a doctor had a reason behind it. The filmmaker was conveying that African Americans could aspire to greatness as well. Because they are able to achieve success just like anyone else, their role in society should be reevaluated. This is what happened during the colonial period of America. When African Americans gained in achievement, their role in
The Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia, that struck down laws that prohibited interracial marriage happened recently. Therefore, a new generation was slowly forming, one that was more accepting of interracial marriage. But as evidenced in the movie, many still had trouble accepting this. Moreover, some critics pointed out that despite this film’s attempt to call for racial equality, the way the script was played out enforced the racial societal examples. There are two examples that support their viewpoint. The first is how John was an accomplished doctor for the U.N. While there were accomplished African Americans at the time, this was not norm for the majority of African Americans. The second example is how the permission of the marriage ultimately came down to the white male’s decision. His verdict outweighed any input from an African American or a woman. Critics say that this hurts the purpose of the film. However, a deeper understanding allows one to see that this furthers the purpose. John Prentice’s occupation as a doctor had a reason behind it. The filmmaker was conveying that African Americans could aspire to greatness as well. Because they are able to achieve success just like anyone else, their role in society should be reevaluated. This is what happened during the colonial period of America. When African Americans gained in achievement, their role in