GUESS WHO (2005)

SHORT REVIEW: Not as abysmally crappy as it first appears. This is utter fluff and is of no consequence. I enjoyed it. I’m a tad confused as I look at the words “I enjoyed it” hanging out below the title of this film but it is true. I give credit for the success of this film to Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher. Both men have keen comedic talents and they are perfectly cast in their roles. Bernie Mac does his usual blowhard routine while Kutcher acts the nervous goofball. The two have a good chemistry and the script plays the roles against each other wonderfully. While this movie will not kill you with laughter, it does offer some very well done scenes. There are about six or seven places in the film that support the rest of the work. This is far better than most comedies made today which are not funny in the slightest. Director Kevin Rodney Sullivan, regaining his footing after making the horrible Barbershop II, shows his ability for comedy. This could have easily have been a racist screed mocking whites but actually serves up the content in a refreshingly evenhanded way. In an amazing twist, Sullivan offers a movie (a comedy no less) about race that actually speaks frankly about it without falling into the usual traps. We are all humans and this film recognizes this fact. Many whites who see the trailer or DVD box will probably pass it by assuming its just another “let’s make fun of whitey” movie. This film is not like that. It is worth a second look. This is a faded retelling of the classic Guess Who Coming To Dinner, with this version changing the races of the young couple. While this film is not a classic, it is well done. I don’t expect anyone will watch this movie and be moved in the slightest but it does make one laugh, which is saying something these days. Categories: film, movie, review, comedy, Bernie Mac, Ashton Kutcher