‘Guess who’s coming to dinner’ is an American film shot in 1967 and directed by Stanley Kramer. The film focuses on the controversial topic of interracial marriages in the United States at the time. At the time of the movie’s filming, interracial marriages were illegal in various states in the country, and mostly in the southern states (Levine 377). The movie represents the concept of interracial marriages, and how they got perceived by both blacks and whites in the country. This paper will provide the dreams of the film’s characters and compare with the steps taken in the country since the filming.
The film provides a reflection of the American society at the period. In the film, the Drayton’s get shocked when there daughter, Joanna tells them of her engagement to a black man, John. At the time, interracial marriages got outlawed in several states in the country. John is ready to call off the engagement if Joanna’s father is unapproving of the union (Levine 372). Mrs. Prentice and Mrs. Drayton approve the marriage between their children. Their husbands meanwhile maintain the impracticality of the marriage. Tillie who is the Drayton’s African American housekeeper also despises John’s ambitions to marry Joanna telling him that he should be cognizant of his racial profiling (Levine 373).
The film climaxes when Matt consents the union by claiming that love conquers all. In the film, both John and Joanna dream of a life together as married even though they know they will upset the societal nature on marriage. Interracial marriages were unwelcome and unlawful at the time. Their dream gets fulfilled upon Matt’s consent of their love (Levine 374). America has since developed into a freer society. Interracial marriages have increased massively, and all states allow for such marriages.
Works Cited
Levine, Andrea. "Sidney Poitier's civil rights." Project Muse (2001): 365-386.
