Every now and then, a remake comes along that rivals the talent and brilliance of the original. \Guess Who"" is not one of these remakes. However, standing on its own, ""Guess Who"" is a surprisingly entertaining comedy combining various types of humor in a movie anyone can enjoy.
The movie is a remake of Columbia's 1967 film ""Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"" In the original version, wealthy white parents reflect on their moral values when they discover their daughter's fianc?? is black.
Much like the original, the film addresses the serious issues surrounding interracial marriage and relationships. However, ""Guess Who"" flips this scenario around, featuring a concerned father, Percy Jones (Bernie Mac), who tries to accept his daughter's white fianc??, Simon Green (Ashton Kutcher).
Simon and his fianc??e Theresa Jones (Zo?? Salda??a) decide Theresa's parents' anniversary is the perfect time to announce their engagement. The two travel to New Jersey where Simon is to meet Theresa's parents for the first time.
The Joneses are startled by the fact that Simon is white, especially Percy, who is convinced that Simon is an unworthy suitor for Theresa. Through several humorous attempts, Simon tries to impress and bond with Percy. The two end up caught in a web of lies, leaving both Percy's wife and Simon's fianc??e very upset. The two must turn to each other to find a way back into the hearts of their women.
Talent wise, ""Guess Who"" cannot live up to ""Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?""-Bernie Mac, Judith Scott and Ashton Kutcher are no match for performances of Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Sindey Poitier. However, the varying comedic styles of Mac and Kutcher bring comedy for many different types of viewers.
Mac's interpretation of a concerned father is one to which any parent can relate. His fears of fornication and unworthy suitors become even more hilarious when Kutcher tries all the wrong things to fit in with the family. Kutcher's hyperactivity and adolescent air lighten the heavy message of the movie, plus his mere presence provides something pretty to look at when the plot stretches thin. He also presents the difficult situations his character finds himself in with incredible wit and believability.
Rising star Zo?? Salda??a is gripping as the central character torn between the love of her life and her closed-minded father. She emotionally tells her family the pain she and Simon face when people stare at them on the street and the terrible things people say about their relationship.
The fact that the social issues in ""Guess Who"" are still relevant from a film made nearly 40 years ago sends a message to the audience. The movie teaches lessons of acceptance and understanding through a situation that most people find themselves in at one time or another.
Everyone has tried to impress oddball parents and everyone has tried to understand a friend or family member's interesting choice in companions. Watching this scenario play out on the big screen is a joy compared to dealing with it in real life.
