03/08/06 Guess Who

Guess Who (2005), directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Record Exchange) @ home

Based loosely (and I do mean loosely) on the classic "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner," this feature turns the tables on the leading character roles. In this instance, a black woman takes her white fiance home to meet her parents for the first time, causing some unexpected racial tensions. While trying to remain a light-hearted comedy that also touches the raw nerve of racial issues in our American society, the film isn't quite sure as to what message it's trying to convey. I am all for using comedy as a cathartic release for any hot button issue in life, as nothing should be so negative as to cause terror and turmoil. However, using pretty boy Ashton Kutcher to drive home that point? That's like using Fabio to sell me on solving third-world hunger. It doesn't compute, too cliche. I have to admit, there were some scenes in the film that made me laugh, mostly where Bernie Mac showed his great comic delivery. The film jumped between the usual sitcom routines of a guy trying to impress the future in-laws by going over the top, lying about something major, hi-jinks involving some machismo test, losing his lover to the same idiot hi-jinks, and having to win her back & the respect of the parents all in one motion. Good luck Ashton, some of us are rooting for you.

2 out of 5 stars