In addition, this is a classic American film and has merit from a dramatic perspective. .
This superbly acted film considers the issue of a racial divide from the point of view of one couple's struggle. The plot surrounds the lives of a man and woman from different races who fall madly in love but face the obstacle of winning over their families to the idea of a mixed-race marriage. Joanna Drayton is twenty-three who is in love with Dr. John Prentice, a black man in his thirty-seven. Joanna's parents are wealthy, a liberal white couple who are suddenly confronted with the challenge of living up to their own ideals. John's parents are black couple of less financials problem but with no less struggle regarding the proposed interracial union. Ultimately, the marriage has the effect of creating a divide between members of the same class, while reconciling members of different races and classes as the Draytons and prentices finally embrace the idea, and each other. .
Joey's father, Matt, has always supported racial equality and is an avowed liberal along with his wife, but when John walks into his life, his principals and philosophy meet reality and the decisions become more complicated for him. Although he wishes for happiness for his daughter, he also does not want her to jump into a relationship with a man she does not know very well and he does not want her to have to be the subject of ridicule and gossip in society. He likes John and realizes he is a successful African American man, but he has trouble fathoming how the relationship will last through the tribulations it will inevitably face. Likewise, convincing John's father proves the most difficult for Joey and John, but the two women are more compassionate and understanding regarding the relationship.
Mrs. Prentice and Christina both base their decision more on emotion, which is supposed to be typical of women, while Mr.