 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Guess Who
- Review Date: July 31, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Update on Poitier classic isn't as memorable.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has some sexual humor, including jokes about masturbation, cross-dressing, and gays. A character asks "What's the sex like?" and there is some discussion of what white men's sex organs look like. There is humor about racism, including a list of racist terms for white people. A great deal is made of the fact that Simon and Percy share a bed (as a way of making sure that Simon and Theresa don't sleep together) and end up cuddling.
What's the story?
This very loose remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner reverses the mixed-race couple situation, with the white boyfriend (Ashton Kutcher) who describes himself as "pigment-challenged" and who must get the approval of the black girl's father (Bernie Mac). It's just an excuse for a series of silly situations and conflicts as Simon lies to Percy about his participation in sports and Percy lies to a co-worker, describing Simon as a basketball-playing graduate of Howard University who knows Bill Cosby and Jesse Jackson. There are also some other half-hearted attempts at plot developments that are around long enough to be annoying but not long enough to get resolved. Percy takes Simon to race go-carts and Simon tries to keep everyone from finding out that he quit his job. But you know they'll find an Ebony-and-Ivory bond by the big party at the end.
Is it any good?
Nearly 40 years ago, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was a serious, even a little heavy-handed, but endearingly earnest drama. It was considered a provocative, even daring, statement about what we used to call "civil rights" issues. But times have changed, and GUESS WHO is generic slapstick rather than social commentary, closer to a remake of Meet the Parents than it is to its purported original source.
No one does choleric better than Bernie Mac and it is always fun to see him get steamed. Kutcher manages to stay out of Mac's way (and his own) and Zoe Saldana shows warmth and sweetness as Theresa. Kellee Stewart as Theresa's sister gets to show more sass and sparkle, especially when she explains how Theresa's relationship with Simon improved her own life. The movie would have been much more fun if she had been the fiancée, and perhaps if we got a look at Simon's family as well. Instead, we got unfunny scenes at a go-cart track (they go off the track!) and at an all-women party (they get tipsy and trash men!). And the prospect of a Meet Simon's Family sequel.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether any of them can remember a time when it was actually illegal in some states for people of different races to get married.
They could read the Supreme Court decision that invalidated those laws
as unconstitutional. It's shocking today to realize that the laws were
in place until that decision was issued in 1967, the same year as the
original Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. The very-apt name of the landmark case is Loving v. Virginia.Families
who see this movie could talk about the jokes Simon told. Which made
fun of white people and which made fun of black people? They could also
talk about their own family reactions to marriages that cross racial,
religious, or other kinds of lines.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Lots of Sex Talk (not for kids)
I was quite disgusted with the dirty sex talk in this film, which included penis sizes and masturbation. I definately wouldn't let my kids watch this film. There were some humorous parts, and a good message about learning to see past racial differences, but the sexual inuendos just ruined it for me.
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AGE
Really funny
there is only two parts that might not be approipreite for kids under 7
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AGE
Ausome movie for 11 year olds and up! For boys and girls!
It is a great movie for 11 year olds. It is very funny. The jokes in it relate to old songs and old movies for instance it says the lyrics to a old B2K song. Aston Kutcher and Bernie Mac make a great team! GREAT MOVIE!
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AGE
funny movie
it was a funny movie, ashton kutcher and bernie mac make a great team. Some parts kids under 13 shouldnt see like when he puts on her underwear, or some of the jokes. I didnt like the racial comments they had, they made ashton tell racial jokes and then got mad at him.
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AGE
Suggested MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for sexual humor throughout and some language.
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AGE
Almost Very Good
A decent flick that would have been better if a risk or two had been taken.
My kids liked it. Both Ashton and Bernie are endearing. All in all, a likeable movie.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Kevin Sullivan |
| Cast: | Bernie Mac, Zoe Saldana |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 97 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 25, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | August 2, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sex-related humor |
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