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.
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Follow Ups
- Re: The film is a kaka - jamesgarvin 13:20:39 06/05/06 (3)
- True, but that points at another fault - the Hollywood obsession with high class life - Victor Khomenko 13:39:36 06/05/06 (2)
- Again it would have defeated the point. - Analog Scott 19:19:35 06/05/06 (0)
- Re: True, but that points at another fault - the Hollywood obsession with high class life - jamesgarvin 15:10:41 06/05/06 (0)