Do you want to see ‘Soul Man’?

Soul Man (1986)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 3/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 19

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 2.6/5
User Ratings: 6,629

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Movie Info

An ambitious but spoiled rich white kid wins a scholarship to Harvard Law School by pretending to be African-American in this broadly played comedy. After his father cuts him off financially, Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell) wins a full tuition scholarship to Harvard by claiming to be African-American on the application form. With the help of his best friend, Gordon (Arye Gross), Mark acquires some bronzing pills, a new hairdo, and a lowered voice. Disguised as a black student, Mark thinks that

PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Steve Miner

In Theaters: Oct 24, 1986 Wide

On DVD: Mar 19, 2002

New World Video

Soul Man Trailer & Photos

Cast

C. Thomas Howell
Mark Watson
Arye Gross
Gordon Bloomfield
Rae Dawn Chong
Sarah Walker
James Earl Jones
Prof. Banks
Melora Hardin
Whitney Dunbar
James B. Sikking
William Watson
Leslie Nielsen
Mr. Dunbar
Max Wright
Dr. Aronson
Jeff Altman
Ray McGrady
Jonathan [Fudge] Leonard
George Walker
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Lisa Stinson
Betty Cole
Mrs. Walker
M.C. Gainey
Man in Cell
Donald Hotton
Mr. Wicher
Amy Stock-Poynton
Girl in Bed
Wally Ward
Barky Brewer
Jonathan Wise
Andrew
Freddie Dawson
D.J.
Linda Hoy
Mrs. Sherwood
Paul O'Brien
Officer Schkolnick
Ann Walker
Mrs. Dunbar
Melissa Skoff
Paul F. O'Brien
Officer Schkolnick
David Reynolds
Wallace Langham

Critic Reviews for Soul Man

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (20) | DVD (7)

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

March 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

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

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

The pity is, it isn't even outrageous.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Top Critic

Of course, simply everyone is completely bamboozled by our hero's disguise, even though he now looks like a Ken doll with liver disease.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Top Critic

This is a genuinely interesting idea, filled with dramatic possibilities, but the movie approaches it on the level of a dim-witted sit-com.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Amiable but politically confused.

August 4, 2009 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Howell is awesome in this unforgettable comedy classic

February 3, 2009 Comment

Clint Morris

Brag Magazine

The comedy was out of date before they even made this, no matter how much they try and twist the ending.

June 7, 2006 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Liz Beardsworth

Empire Magazine

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

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

Unreal, politically dumb premise with Howell in blackface .

December 19, 2005 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

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

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

An insult

July 25, 2002 Comment

Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune Source: Tampa Tribune

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Soul Man

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It?s another classic 80's film. The film I think is innocent enough, unintentionally offensive maybe but not racist. Anyone seen White Chicks? No, because it looks shit but I hear no complaints!

September 25, 2009

Anthony Lawrie

Super Reviewer

"Soul Man" is an embarrassing movie that somehow manages to be simultaneously intentionally and unintentionally racist. C. Thomas Howell plays a pampered rich kid whose parents cut him off just as he's been accepted to Harvard law school. He takes an overdose of "tanning" pills and voila! he's african american! Add

February 20, 2009

First Last

Super Reviewer

Soul Man Quotes

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1. Mark Watson: Gordon, I love you. You're my buddy, and if you get in and I don't, I hope you rot in hell.
2. Gordon Bloomfield: I feel the same way!
3. Mark Watson: Thanks!
– Submitted by Emily C (8 months ago)

Character	Quote
	Enter quote here...	Delete

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Latest News for Soul Man

September 24, 2007:

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