A 2005 romantic comedy flipped the script on a classic 1967 social drama

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2005, director Kevin Rodney Sullivan released a loose remake of the iconic Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. By reversing the racial dynamics of the original, the film explores the friction of an interracial engagement, though it faced a polarized reception from critics who debated its depth and comedic execution.

The 2005 film Guess Who stars Bernie Mac as Percy Jones, a protective father who is blindsided when his daughter, Theresa, brings home her white fiancé, Simon Green. The narrative centers on the tension during a weekend visit coinciding with the parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Much of the conflict arises from Percy's immediate distrust of Simon, fueled by a series of misunderstandings, including Simon's lie about working on a NASCAR pit crew for Jeff Gordon—a detail that particularly stings because Percy is a devoted fan of the driver.

The production, which was filmed largely in Cranford, New Jersey, had a working title of The Dinner Party and was at one point slated to be directed by Harold Ramis. Upon its release on March 25, 2005, the film achieved financial success, grossing $103 million worldwide against a $35 million production budget. Despite this commercial performance, critical reception was lukewarm. Aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes recorded a 41% approval rating, with critics noting that while the film possessed charm, it lacked the biting political relevance of the 1967 original.

Reviews were notably divided. Publications like The Wall Street Journal criticized the film for simplifying its premise into sketch-level humor, while USA Today took issue with the comedic timing. Conversely, others, such as The Baltimore Sun, praised its wit and sweetness. Audiences, however, were more receptive than professional critics, awarding the film a B+ grade on the CinemaScore scale. Ultimately, the film serves as a study in how a classic premise can be repurposed, even if the result struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor.

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