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Movies / On DVD / Soul Man
Soul Man

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Soul Man (1986)

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14 %
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Reviews Counted:22

Fresh:3

Rotten:19

Average Rating:3/10

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: Harvard Law freshman Mark Watson, having been cut off by his millionaire dad, tries to fund his education by tinting his skin with tanning pills and passing as African-American. But after being... Harvard Law freshman Mark Watson, having been cut off by his millionaire dad, tries to fund his education by tinting his skin with tanning pills and passing as African-American. But after being nearly evicted by his landlord, arrested by the police, and subjected to an endless barrage of "no offense" racist jokes, he learns that being black isn't the easy way out by far. But he must face the real repercussions of his ruse when he falls in love with a hardworking black single mother, who is the rightful recipient of the scholarship he received. A surprisingly effective treatment of race and affirmative action issues, comfortably ensconced in conventional "campus comedy" fluff. [More]

Starring: C. Thomas Howell, Rae Dawn Chong, Arye Gross, Leslie Nielsen

Starring: C. Thomas Howell, Rae Dawn Chong, Arye Gross, Leslie Nielsen, James Earl Jones, James B. Sikking, Melora Hardin, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Max Wright, Jeff Altman

Director: Steve Miner

Director: Steve Miner

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Soul Man

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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The comedy was out of date before they even made this, no matter how much they try and twist the ending.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
06/07/06
Liz Beardsworth
Liz Beardsworth
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

In the end, however, it's let down by one easy laugh too many.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Ultimately its refusal to tackle any real issues makes this a thoroughly bland American comedy.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Amiable but politically confused.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
08/04/09
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

This social farce is excellently written, fast paced and intelligently directed.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Howell is awesome in this unforgettable comedy classic

comment Comment
02/03/09
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Brag Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
06/11/08
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Unreal, politically dumb premise with Howell in blackface .

comment Comment
12/19/05
Steve Crum
Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com

No review available.

comment Comment
08/16/05
Jonathan R. Perry
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

No review available.

comment Comment
06/18/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
05/28/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
05/25/04
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

No review available.

comment Comment
05/07/04
Austin O'Connor
Austin O'Connor
Lowell Sun

No review available.

comment Comment
09/19/03
Rebecca Murray
Rebecca Murray
About.com

No review available.

comment Comment
07/02/03
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

It's a blithe, silly, good-natured movie and, of its kind, quite an enjoyable one.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
12/12/02
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

No review available.

comment Comment
08/29/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

An insult

comment Comment
07/25/02
Bob Ross
Bob Ross
Tampa Tribune
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Soul Man

September 24, 2007: Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac are Soul Men
If everything works out the way it's supposed to, Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac will be bringing some vintage Stax soul to the big screen. More...

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