Interracial relationships are much more of a norm today than they’ve ever been. However, when it comes to cinema it still seems to be somewhat of a touchy subject. You just don’t see these kinds of movies all that often. And while it’s much more commonplace to see a black man with a white woman, or Latina woman and black man, or white man and Latina woman, etc etc today, I still feel that movies haven’t really captured these relationships enough.
However, since the 60s, there have been enough movies that explore the race card that we can mention. And there are 10 in particular that I think are worth a watch. Here are 10 movies featuring interracial relationships that are worthy of being seen.
Strange Days
I always felt this movie never got enough credit. It was just a great flick about the black market of virtual reality. And among all the chaos of New Years 2000 in Los Angeles, the main character Lenny (Ralph Fiennes) manages to fall in love with his long time friend “Mace” (Angela Bassett). It’s no surprise that James Cameron was the writer of this movie. Plus you’ve got a whacked out Tom Sizemore and a skinny Vincent D’Onofrio doing a psycho scene almost similar to his Private Pile suicide moment in Full Metal Jacket.
Guess Whose Coming To Dinner
Joey Drayton brings her fiancé, Dr. John Prentice, home to sunny San Francisco to meet her affluent parents. Their liberal persuasions are now put to the test, for although the young man is an ideal choice (he’s highly and internationally respected in the medical field, and he’s impeccably mannered, handsome, well dressed and of a respectable California family), he’s black.
This is by far the most famous and pioneering movie about race relations that was ever made. The fact they made a Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher really bothered me because it was terrible.
Jungle Fever
Ah yes, Mr. Spike Lee. This guy is never afraid to throw around the race card. When a successful ad man finds his little secretary to be attractive, emotions run high and an affair ensues. Coupled that with his drug addicted brother and you’ve got yourself some interesting drama. Not to mention a white store owner who is in love with his black customer as a side plot. The movie definitely takes a realistic view of black vs. white.
Monster’s Ball
Both parents have lost their sons. One, a woman (Halle Barry), is alone, poor, and with no place to go. She is only survived by a man in prison who is to be executed by her counterpart (Billy Bob Thorton): A racist cop whose son killed himself. He is survived by his racist father. When their paths cross, the man can’t help but find himself attracted to this woman. The woman, finding comfort in this man’s help after the loss of her son also finds herself attracted to him as well. What ensues is a crazy, erotic relationship that winds up “calming down.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk5MhtZr34s
Made in America
A funny comedy about a single, black mom whose daughter doesn’t know who her father is. She finds out through some detective work that he is in fact white. She tracks him down and sees he’s a rich car salesman/womanizer. The daughter introduces her father to her mother. A relationship ensues. But is he really her father? Maybe not, but it’s a happy ending anyway. Plus, a young Will Smith is in it.
A Bronx Tale
One man lives in the neighborhood, another man owns it. A devoted father battles the local crime boss for the life of his son. And during this battle his son falls for a black girl who he saw on the bus. The son grew up in a very Italian and old, traditional household where seeing someone of opposite race is a serious no no. However, he does what his heart tells him, even though it leads to the loss of his friends. This was a great movie.
White Men Can’t Jump
I just found this whole movie to be funny. It explores black vs. white from a male, cultural perspective. The movie also goes into detail about a white vs. Latina relationship. Lots of funny stereotyping here which seemed to be true. The chemistry of Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes is awesome. And despite how much I can’t stand Rosie Perez’s voice, she was decent.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Sure the movie is about Bruce Lee. But it also explores interracial relationships in great depth. Lee’s wife must get over the fact that her mother is somewhat racist. Also throughout the movie you see how difficult it is for an Asian man and White woman to be together. Eh, but ultimately there’s some sweet fighting scenes and I needed another movie to make this list a 10 list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hANXylrNck8
Mississippi Masala
An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter falls in love with a black man, and the respective families have to come to terms with it. Whatever happened to the chick from that movie? I thought she was pretty cute. Her name is Sarita Choudhury.
Soul Man
I had to toss in a ridiculous movie here. This is a C. Thomas Howell classic ladies and gentlemen. After a white guy finds out he can’t get into Harvard he decides to reapply as a black man. Sure enough, he gets in, falls in love with a black girl and has a funny relationship with his professor (no not funny in that way). Just seeing Howell as a black guy was ridiculous enough. It’s a must see.
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