I’m sure you all know the premise of this movie. . . white woman brings home black man to meet her family.
I was really looking forward to seeing this movie. I had heard so many wonderful things about it. But boy was I disappointed. I was not impressed with this movie, at all. It wasn’t because of the subject matter, but because of the writing and especially the acting.
I’m sure the fact that a white woman and a black man being engaged was shocking in the ’60s, but what I found more shocking was the fact that he was 37 and she was 23, and that they were going to get married after only knowing each other only 10 days. I mean I can’t imagine me bringing home a 23 year old guy for dinner, or can I. . . 🙂
I figured this movie would be fantastic with all of the acting greats that were in it, but I was extremely disappointed. Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Sidney Poitier appeared rigid and seemed as if they were reading their lines off of a teleprompter.
I actually was getting a little tired of Katharine Hepburn crying throughout the entire movie, but as I was looking for movie screen shots online I read that Spencer Tracy was dying as they were filming the movie. She knew this would be the last film they worked on together (he died 17 days later). After reading that I got teary eyed every time she did. It is funny. That caused me more emotion that anything in the movie did.
Oh, and the actress who played the daughter was just plain awful. And I read she was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress for this movie.
Again, the Academy disappointed me. First with ignoring Gloria Swanson and now this!
The one person I did really like was the maid, Tilly. I wish she had a bigger role. And it wasn’t until about an hour into the movie before I realized that Tilly was Mrs. Jefferson (you know, Weezy). I thought she had best scene when she yelled at Sidney Poitier. (Caution: There is a derogatory word used in this clip)
Ha! You go Weezy!
I was also surprised to hear, “Glory of Love” (the Billy Hill song not the Peter Cetera one), as the main song. It was great for the opening credits, but I got a little sick and tired of hearing the same song played throughout the entire movie.
And then there was the random dancing by the meat delivery boy and Dorothy on the front porch. What the heck was that all about? Very weird!
So as I’m sure you can guess, I did not like this movie. I almost turned it off, but I made it through the whole thing, all 107 minutes of it!
I’m going to give it a D. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen, but I definitely won’t be watching it ever again.
I love Katherine but I have to agree I didn't really like the movie. She was truly a grand ole dame and very much a lady.
I love Katherine but I have to agree I didn't really like the movie. She was truly a grand ole dame and very much a lady.
Wow. This is one of my favorite movies. You're right about the daughter- she's awful, but I think that's part of her character. She's kind of dumb and totally naive but it plays up her sunshiny view of the world. I LOVE the monologues by the main actors and I think the love between Katherine & Spencer is so obvious. LOVE it.
This made me laugh! 🙂
I actually watched it a few weeks before the "assignment" and… I wasn't so shocked by the interracial relationship (which is because of when I was born, I'm sure) as the COMPLETE lack of morals all around. The whole "do whatever you want because it's the modern thing to do" is ridiculous.
Also that scene where Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy go for ice cream made me SO uncomfortable. I don't like older people to feel confused and obsolete. Ack. I understand I was SUPPOSED to feel that way, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. 🙂
I did like the maid. And I liked his mom.
Right after this I watched Sidney Poitier in In The Heat of the Night and I prefer it. Even when the racism in it is so completely foreign to me so that it was like watching something from the Dark Ages.