Guess Who parents guide

Guess Who Parent Guide

Overall C+

Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher aren't exactly Spencer Tracey and Sidney Poitier. But they're taking on similar roles in the remake of the 1967 film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Release date March 24, 2005

Violence A
Sexual Content C
Profanity C
Substance Use C+

Why is Guess Who rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Guess Who PG-13 for sex-related humor.

Run Time: 105 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher aren’t exactly Spencer Tracey and Sidney Poitier. But they’re taking on similar roles in the remake of the 1967 film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. In Guess Who, they play unhappy rivals in an upcoming matrimonial event that’s about to make them in-laws.

Percy Jones (Mac) is a successful loans officer living in an upscale New Jersey neighborhood. He’s also a very protective father who has set high standards for his two daughters Theresa (Zoe Saldana) and Keisha (Kellee Stewart), particularly when it comes to their suitors.

So despite her boyfriend’s job as a stockbroker and his excellent credit rating (a fact her father has already checked out), Theresa is just a little nervous about bringing Simon (Kutcher) home to meet her family. She’s even more worried since the roommates want to announce their engagement at her parents’ anniversary party.

Coincidentally or not, when Theresa calls home to arrange for a visit, she neglects to mention Simon is Caucasian.

It’s a fact immediately noted by Percy and his wife Marilyn (Judith Scott), at their initial introduction. While Theresa’s mother is more accepting of Simon, Percy is far less than exuberant about the young man’s arrival at their home. From that awkward moment, the weekend slides steadily downhill as the two men clash over everything from drinking practices to sleeping arrangements. Eventually the strain threatens to disrupt Percy and Marilyn’s preparations to renew their vows at an extravaganza directed for them by a detail-driven party planner.

Remaking a classic Hollywood movie can be a tricky undertaking because the director either must recreate the original magic or present the plot in an entirely new way. In this case, Director Kevin Rodney Sullivan (Barbershop 2) resorts to slapstick comedy and madcap antics to tell the story of this interracial couple.

For family viewing, the film is stockpiled with profanities and furthers the misconception that dousing your troubles with alcohol is a good way to deal with disappointment. Worst of all, the script uses sex-related comments and innuendo to build much of the humor. Two girls frankly discuss sexual encounters and parts of the male anatomy. As well, an episode with lingerie and comments about premarital intimacy both push the limits for younger audiences.

The content is regrettable since the film finally comes around to some positive messages about marriage and the effort it takes to make it succeed. There are also moments of genuine funniness between the two male comedians. Still, the suggestive remarks and sly insinuations may leave many parents speculating about other movie options for their kids.

Starring Ashton Kutcher, Bernie Mac, Zoe Saldana, . Running time: 105 minutes. Theatrical release March 24, 2005. Updated

Guess Who Parents' Guide

Why does Simon lie about his involvement in NASCAR? Have you ever fibbed in order to make an impression? What problems can result?

What stereotype reversals were portrayed in this movie? How did Simon’s background differ from Theresa’s?

Why was Theresa worried about Simon meeting her parents? What part did family support play in their relationship? Can accepting a potential mate for your child be a difficult thing for parents?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Guess Who movie is August 2, 2005. Here are some details…

DVD Release Date: August 2, 2005
Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment invites you meet the future in-laws on the DVD release of Guess Who. Learn more about them, and the production of the film through bonus materials such as the featurette—Love is the Melody: The Making of GUESS WHO, director Kevin Rodney Sullivan’s commentary, seven deleted scenes (with optional director commentary), and a gag reel. The movie is provided in widescreen, with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks in both English and French. Subtitles are also available in English, Spanish, and French.

Related home video titles:

In Sabrina, Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond star in the remake of the 1954 movie about a chauffeur’s daughter who falls in love with the son of her father’s wealthy employer. Steve Martin is forced to deal with a fanatical wedding consultant (Martin Short) in an updated version of another Hollywood classic, Father of the Bride.