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Soul Man

Play trailer Poster for Soul Man PG-13 1986 1h 41m Comedy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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17% Tomatometer 24 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.

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Soul Man

Soul Man

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Liz Moody Empire Magazine 06/07/2006
2/5
The comedy was out of date before they even made this, no matter how much they try and twist the ending. Go to Full Review Time Out 02/09/2006
In the end, however, it's let down by one easy laugh too many. Go to Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times 05/20/2003
3/5
It's a blithe, silly, good-natured movie and, of its kind, quite an enjoyable one. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 06/26/2023
B-
It's an embarrassing film that I either wanted to throw-up from or laugh. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 05/12/2020
2/4
A decidedly high-concept comedy... Go to Full Review TV Guide 08/04/2009
2.5/4
Amiable but politically confused. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Roger S @Rogers 07/27/2024 Haven't watched in many years, entertaining and thought provoking. See more Kirsten W @kirght 07/20/2023 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. See more emma b @RT55963874 03/20/2023 Still a good film. Shines a light on stereotypes and racism. A funny feel good 80s film See more Steve D @RT35616104 03/05/2023 As misguided and offensive as any film made in the last 50 years. See more 12/30/2021 Love this movie! You have to be able to laugh at yourself. Great acting and a wonderful light romance. See more 06/07/2021 Even as a kid I knew this film was wrong. I didn't understand why no one knew this white guy was doing blackface, especially the lovely Rae Dawn Chong. There was no way I was buying that love story, it was way too absurd, and it creeped me out way back when. This one had a good run on cable circa 1987...yeah...1987! No one was objecting to this in the late 80s. Alas, "Soul Man" happened, and its poop is on our hands in this time capsule you'll only want to see for your "Racism in Hollywood" thesis project at UCLA. See more Read all reviews
Soul Man

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Cast & Crew

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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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Soul Man

Soul Man (1986) Soul Man (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

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