After setting the stage with a dozen insultingly shopworn clichés, this seemingly ill-advised cross between Meet the Parents and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner eventually finds its comedy footing by playfully dancing along the edge of political incorrectness. The meagerly amusing Ashton Kutcher is a generic, kowtowing, romantic-comedy male dope destined to get caught in idiotic lies and misunderstandings on the weekend he meets his fiancée's family, headed by vociferous, intimidating Bernie Mac (whose mistrust of the guy manifests itself in racial disharmony). After taking a lot of mildly amusing abuse (which Mac dishes out with wicked delight) from Daddy--who is really more overprotective than prejudiced--Kutcher begins fighting back, and a rivalry takes hold that brings the movie back to life with good laughs as the leads become uproarious foes whose mutual animosity pokes fun at the subjective nature of what people consider offensive. Unfortunately, Guess Who sinks back into banality once the two men begrudgingly but inevitably bond under contrived circumstances, so--on the whole--the film's sharp comedy and sheer idiocy just about cancel each other out. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Kevin Rodney Sullivan, a "making-of" featurette (21 min.), seven deleted scenes with optional commentary (10 min.), a gag reel (4 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a mostly winning film.] (R. Blackwelder)
Guess Who
Sony, 105 min., PG-13, VHS: $57.99, DVD: $28.99, Aug. 2 Volume 20, Issue 3
Guess Who
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