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In Reply to: The film is a kaka posted by Victor Khomenko on June 5, 2006 at 07:36:09:
"Perhaps if instead of a Harward or whatever graduate they showed a working class black guy there would be some red meat to the film?"Then the point of the film would have been lost. If he is a "working class black", then the basis of the parent's objections would have been vague. Are they objecting because he is black, or because he is working class, and they want their precious daughter to marry a professional? By making him a Harvard graduate, the screenwriters created a character who has the "credentials" to be otherwise acceptable for their daughter, their only possible objection being that he is black. I think he was made to be a Harvard graduate to eliminate any reason for the audience to conclude he was not acceptable.
Certainly, the film seems dated today, and to that extent, maybe not a classic. But taking into account the social issues at the time the film was made, the film was, at that time, very topical, and made a statement about, and took a position on, race relations that were not accepted in many parts of the country, and still are not in many places. Certainly, there were not many films from anywhere in the world that were advocating the positions Guess Who was taking. While it may not seem brave today, it was certainly was at that time. To that extent, the film merits a recommendation.
Follow Ups:
So instead of elevating the black guy's class status the makers could have brought the white family closer to "normal people".I dont' know about you, but I always cringe at seeing yet another Manhattan apartment, people dressed in nothing but evening gowns and smokings in some of those films. Tracy'f films are rarely exception to that rule.
The point wasn't just that racism was an issue at that time. The point was IMO that it was easy to be a progressive liberal in favor of equal rights for all....until it comes home. So rich progressives were the best characters for this film. they are the ones we see acting high and mighty about the issues that don't actally happen in their back yard. I thought it made an excellent point about idealism of the comfortable and how it is much harder when the issues you champion become personal. that makes the movie much richer nad multilayered IMO. And lets not forget that they took on a very hot topic at the time, took a bold stand and made a light hearted comedy all at once. They also made some very interesting and gutsy choices. Don't forget that the black father never really accepted the marriage. The interplay between the two married couples were yet another layer filled with social observation/comentary. This was a very well crafted film that addressed all these issues and wove all thes layers in a very effortless way in the form of a drawing room comedy. i mean, imagine if it were a serious preachy movie. That would have been boring
Problem is, that with rare exceptions, film makers generally spend so much time being in that crowd, that is the only world they know. And usually when they enter the "real world", it is to poke fun. They make their "real people" contributions supporting Clinton/Gore/Kerry.
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