Soul Man

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Soul Man

PG-13

1986

1h 41m

Comedy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

14%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

35%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In order to win a scholarship, Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell), the white son of an affluent psychiatrist, pretends to be black on his application form. When he's accepted, he alters his hair, skin and speech to conceal his true identity. At first Mark believes that going through law school as a minority will be a breeze, but he soon begins experiencing racism. Eventually, Mark falls in love with Sarah Walker (Rae Dawn Chong), a black student, and begins to feel guilty about his ruse.

Critics Consensus

Critics had a whole lot less than a truckload of good loving for this woefully misguided take on race in '80s America.

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Liz Moody

Empire Magazine

Jun 7, 2006

2/5

The comedy was out of date before they even made this, no matter how much they try and twist the ending.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

May 20, 2003

3/5

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

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

1/4

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

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Jun 26, 2023

B-

It's an embarrassing film that I either wanted to throw-up from or laugh.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

May 12, 2020

2/4

A decidedly high-concept comedy...

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Caffeinated Clint

Brag Magazine

Feb 3, 2009

3/5

Howell is awesome in this unforgettable comedy classic

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MariofanAlex445 T

@RT47678067 10 hrs ago

Not as bad as I expected. It has its funny moments, heartfelt moments, and decent acting from a great cast throughout. I understand the hate this movie gets but I view it as probably the tamest "racist" movie I’ve ever seen. I think my point especially stands when you watch how he acts as an African American. He doesn’t act like a stereotype to trick others or fit in, he acts as he normally does as a white guy. He is Mark Watson throughout. Not a caricature. I just wish the movie was a little funnier, but other than that it’s not bad at all. I might even rewatch it someday. 2.5/5 stars.

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Aria C

@Ariacoopcoop Aug 22, 2026

Kinda weird but it’s kinda funny and c Thomas Howell. Is goated

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Yacine B

@RT07069744 Jun 28, 2026

Not just a comedy. It adresses racism and stereotypes, 80s style. A classic for the Gen X crowd.

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Roger S

@Rogers Jul 27, 2024

Haven't watched in many years, entertaining and thought provoking.

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Kirsten W

@kirght Jul 20, 2023

This movie was misunderstood in my opinion. I watched it when it was first released in 1986 and haven't seen it since. I was 14. People told me it was racist. I didn't agree. I laughed throughout the whole thing.

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emma b

@RT55963874 Mar 20, 2023

Still a good film. Shines a light on stereotypes and racism. A funny feel good 80s film

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Steve Miner

Director

C. Thomas Howell

Mark Watson

Rae Dawn Chong

Sarah Walker

Arye Gross

Gordon Bloomfeld

James Earl Jones

Professor Banks

Melora Hardin

Whitney Dunbar

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Synopsis

In order to win a scholarship, Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell), the white son of an affluent psychiatrist, pretends to be black on his application form. When he's accepted, he alters his hair, skin and speech to conceal his true identity. At first Mark believes that going through law school as a minority will be a breeze, but he soon begins experiencing racism. Eventually, Mark falls in love with Sarah Walker (Rae Dawn Chong), a black student, and begins to feel guilty about his ruse.

Director: Steve Miner
Producer: Steve Tisch
Screenwriter: Carol Black
Production Co: Balcor Film Investors, The Steve Tisch Company
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1986, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.3M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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