Guess Whos Coming to Dinner Movie - Assignment Example

Stanley Kramer’s 1967 comedy-drama, ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner' is a wonderful work on the ever-controversial subject of interracial marriage. This movie raised the eyebrows of many conservative Americans who had long been considering such conjugal communion as a taboo. However, the theme of the film continues to stand as a remarkably symbolic attempt to challenge the deep-rooted white supremacy in the sophisticated society of America even today. Though the movie was subject to a wide range of disapproval of the orthodox white upper class, the makers were happy for creating an ideal outlook with the outcome.

The movie is all about the spiritual and social conflicts of two families with regard to an interracial wedding. As part of the engagement, a common dinner comprising the family members of both Joanna and John (protagonists) takes place at Joanna’s home. The dinner eventually turns to stage an emotional drama as the parents express their opinions about the controversial issue around the marriage. In the progress of the plot, there is a vivid demonstration of ethical and social implications of the issue of the protagonist being a colored man. The social perspective of the marriage would suggest that a nuptial relationship with a member of a discriminated race would bring shame to the white community. However, Matt Drayton’s dialogue after the evaluation of ethical challenges and with his preference for spiritual tranquility to esteem, he gives his consent and blesses his daughter and John, “The only thing that matters is what they feel and how much they feel, for each other. And if it’s half of what we felt that's everything” (Kramer, “Guess Who’s Coming”) shows a counterbalancing effect of an existing perception of the society about the apparent intolerance of the whites about interracial marriages. The dinner makes a point by setting a place to analyze the competency of the suitor in the presence of senior members of John’s family and a priest as guests at Joanna’s home.

Of course, the film makes a series of rhetorical questions to the educated American society about its position with regards to racism. The theme of the movie exhibits the splints of emotional moments as metaphorical expressions of feelings against racism. Johns says, “Dad, but you think of yourself as a colored man. I think of myself as a man.” (Kramer, “Guess Who’s Coming”). His decision to marry Joanna only with her parents’ consent is also an insignia of a black man’s unchallenged dignity as a bridegroom. Even though the movie was taken in a time of profound white dominance across the wealthy states of America, the theme was strong enough to convey the message of social parity and to discourage the element of xenophobic differences among the people. Finally, the movie ends with a symbolic speech that properly advocates the need for equality and liberty of people to choose the pattern of their life.