Analysis of Guess Whos Coming to Dinner Film - Essay Example

Introduction Stanley Kramer’s 1967 film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was revolutionary for its portrayal of the tensions associated with interracialmarriage. Upon its release the Supreme Court, in the Loving vs. Virginia ruling had just legalized interracial marriage, as it had been outlawed in seventeen states. The film depicts the deliberation process of the would-be bride’s father, as he attempts to consider granting his approval to the marriage. This essay considers a number of key questions related to the film’s narrative and its function as a social commentary on interracial marriage. Analysis Outside of Dr. John Prentice, Joey constitutes perhaps the most central and important character in the film. Her characterization is such that she is distinct from virtually every other character. Clearly the most significant difference between Joey’s character and the others is her lack of racial prejudice. Not only is her relationship with John a significant aspect of this theme, but she also demonstrates a professed love for the house made, Tillie. While one may argue that she shares this trait with John, she is ultimately portrayed as blissfully unaware that others might feel tension at her inter-racial relationship. John even states, “It’s not that our color difference makes no difference to her, it’s that to her, there is no difference.” At a number of points throughout the film she breaks through this naiveté, making a number of subtle and clever comments at the expense of her mother; for instance, when her mother first encounters John, Joey states that her mother should sit down because of her perceived shock at John being a negro. It is this knowledge that is hidden directly under her bubbly and superficial outward demeanor that is perhaps Joey’s most interesting character element. Another important character element is Joey’s happiness. Her mother makes a speech attesting to her happiness as a youth, which still pales in comparison to her happiness with John. This differentiates her from the other characters, who are depicted as tired and experienced, and also functions to increase audience sympathy for her union with John in the face of her family’s apprehension. Conversely, Dr. John Prentice is characterized throughout the film in a slightly different way than Joey. Perhaps the significant element of his characterization is the frequent reference made to his importance – Joey’s father’s assistant first states this and it is later mentioned by Monsignor Ryan. The most obvious explanation for the film’s characterization of John as important is to counter-balance the racial prejudice that has been leveled against him by the other characters in the film, as well the perceptions of a significant amount of the audience who watched the film upon its release. His wife and child are also depicted as having died in a car accident, furthering the audience sympathy for his character. In these regards, John’s characterization removes any doubt about his personality or social worth for Joey and advances the film as a discussion of race, not romance. The film is making it blatantly obvious that the other characters resent John, not because they believe he is unfit for Joey, but that he is black. In addition to being depicted as important, John’s character is shown to be very accommodating. He even tells Joey’s parents that he will not marry Joey without their approval. There are a number of reasons for this characterization. One of the most simple, is that John’s actions in this regard portray him as a sympathetic character and are keeping with his background as a doctor and professor of considerable repute. Another function of this characterization is that in refusing to force the marriage without the parents’ approval allows the film to explore the complex deliberations that motivate the main thrust of the narrative. Indeed, without John’s accommodating nature is this regard the dramatic action in the film would have no reason to occur as the outcome would already be determined. It also creates an interesting dilemma as the professed liberal parents are forced to come to terms with the reality of their progressive racial beliefs in the most dramatically compelling means possible. With its lack of action and emphasis on dialogue, the film could be a staged play. Indeed, most of it takes place in the Drayton house; however significant scenes occur in the terrace and study. In examining some of the important scenes in the study, it’s revealed that this section of the house has a special function for narrative developments. One of the first such instances in the film where the outside rooms are utilized occurs when Dr. Prentice phones his father and informs him of the on-goings of the past few weeks and indicating that there may be a problem with the relationship he has just become involved in. In these regards, the study functions as a sort of aside type room, wherein the film is able to offer notable information away from the central house, which is more closely related with Joey’s family. Keeping with the staged play theme, one can draw a comparison between the utilization of the study and Shakespeare’s use of an aside or even soliloquy, as both supplies the audience information that is supplementary to the story’s predominant action. The study is utilized in this manner later in the film after Joey’s father discovers she intends to marry John. The ensuing conversation between Joey’s parents demonstrates their private thoughts on the manner, just as John’s conversation with his father demonstrated his perspective from outside Joey’s family. In both these regards, what is said in this room functions to add a commentary on race, demonstrating that there are things that cannot be spoken off in the company of the individuals involved. Although the main thrust of the film examines the sociological question of an interracial marriage, the film can also be examined for its signification of the role of the wife and woman. While Joey is portrayed as independent, having spent time traveling and daringly becoming involved in an interracial relationship, there are also patriarchal connotations that can be identified. The film makes a substantial note of John’s desire to ask Joey for her father’s permission in marrying her, demonstrating that the two men are the ultimate decision makers in the union, with Joey’s mother offering only advice and opinions. There are a number of supplementary characters that offer a perspective on the inter-racial relationship. Two of the most significant characters in this regard are Hilary St. George the gallery manager and Monsignor Ryan. As the film’s most notable elements are that of a social commentary, it’s essential that the diversity of society’s perspectives and opinions are represented to increase the viability of the narrative. In these regards, Hilary St. George represents the section of society that understands inter-racial relationships as awful. She states, “It’s so unlike Joey to do anything so appallingly stupid.” Monsignor Ryan represents a sort of foil to Hilary St. George, and functions to bring out John’s positive qualities and the fact that many interracial marriages function well. His foil quality is brought in the narrative as Joey’s mother fires Hilary for her comments about the inter-racial marriage while at the same time Monsignor Ryan is speaking to Joey’s father about the benefits. This parallel action demonstrates the opposing viewpoints of not only the two characters, but of major forces in the 1960’s social climate. Other supplementary characters that add to the film’s narrative include the meat deliveryman and Dorothy the maid’s helper. While it’s not entirely certain what significance they play, one can surmise that the meat delivery man is included as he seems romantically interested in Dorothy and constitutes a second possible interracial relationship. His scene with Tillie also functions to add comic relief to the narrative, as his ridiculous dancing and the irreverent tone he takes with her are comedic. John also expresses interest in Dorothy, further complicating the films concern with relationships; perhaps this functions to demonstrate that John is interested in both black and white women. At one point in the film Christina and Matt Drayton go out for ice cream. One of the significances of Christina and Matt ice cream outing is to break up the location shots of the film. When the outing occurs the film, with the exception of a brief period spent at the art gallery, has been completely shot in the Drayton’s household. The ice cream scene with its upbeat music, colorful setting, and comic waitress breaks up this narrative monotony giving diegetically the Drayton’s a respite from their dramatic deliberations, and the viewer a brief respite as well. The scene also functions to humanize the two characters, as they reflect on their own marriage and compare it to the same situation Joey is experiencing. Furthermore, Matt’s initial rejection of the ice cream and his later acceptance of it can also be seen as a metaphor for his decision making process in regards to John and Joey’s marriage. The crash scene also functions to explore racial tensions and highlights Matt Drayton as slightly old-fashioned, as his inability to see the car is attributed to his age. While it would perhaps be a stretch, the crash scene can also be read metaphorically as an unconscious release for the tension that must certainly have developed between John and Matt. Conclusion As can be seen the film’s exploration of interracial marriage was revolutionary for its release time, in 1967. As the film comes to a conclusion and the two families’ confront and interact with each other, it becomes evident that the film marked both a generational and racial shift. While the Drayton’s eventually came around to accept John it’s clear that even contemporary society hasn’t entirely come to terms with these questions of race. Ultimately, the fill remains revolutionary for its time, and continues to remain important today. Read More