Soul Food (1997)

Matriarch Mama Joe has held her family together for 40 years around a Sunday dinner of soul food. When diabetes hospitalizes her, the dinners stop and tensions among her three daughters ... See full summary »

Director:

George Tillman Jr.

Writer:

George Tillman Jr.

Stars:

Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long

6 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Williams	...	Teri (as Vanessa L. Williams)
Vivica A. Fox	...	Maxine
Nia Long	...	Bird
Michael Beach	...	Miles
Mekhi Phifer	...	Lem
Brandon Hammond	...	Ahmad
Jeffrey D. Sams	...	Kenny
Gina Ravera	...	Faith
Irma P. Hall	...	Mother Joe
Carl Wright	...	Reverend Williams
Mel Jackson	...	Simuel
Morgan Méchelle Smith	...	Kelly
John M. Watson Sr.	...	Uncle Pete
M.T. Alexander	...	Jada
Lawrence Petty	...	Harome

Storyline

Matriarch Mama Joe has held her family together for 40 years around a Sunday dinner of soul food. When diabetes hospitalizes her, the dinners stop and tensions among her three daughters start to break the family apart. Two of the sisters feud continuously: Teri is jealous of Maxine's marriage and irritated that everyone assumes her corporate salary is open to the rest of the family's uses. Maxine resents Teri's bossiness and insensitivity to family tradition. Bird, the youngest, newly married to an ex-con, accepts a favor from an old lover that leads to her husband's arrest. Mama Joe's grandson Ahmad cooks up a scheme to bring the family together, back to the table.

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Plot Keywords:

sister | african american | food in title | family relationships | discrimination | 

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Taglines:

A story of the people who make us strong and the recipe that makes us a family.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A mama főztje

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£56,833 (UK) (12 June 1998)

Gross:

£125,459 (UK) (19 June 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Edmonds Entertainment Group (EEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Irma P. Hall is the only cast member who reprised their role in the cable series.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the scene for the Sunday dinner that Ahmad arranged, there is a pitcher of grape or purple Kool-Aid. When the meal starts, the glasses are filled with a red drink.

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Quotes

Bird: Who is that hoochie-koochie mama with her fat ass all over my man on the dance floor?
[Tearing up]
Bird: This is my wedding day! I'm supposed to be happy!

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Connections

Referenced in The Boondocks: The Itis (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Baby I"
Written by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds
Produced by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds (as Babyface) for ECAF Productions, Inc.
Performed by Tenderoni
Tenderoni appears courtesy of Yab Yum Records / Epic Records

User Reviews

So True Its Scary

When I first saw this film it reminded me so much of my family I actually got nervous. The story depicted in this film is so true especially in many Black families, especially mine. The story is pretty much about how a family breaks up after the matriarch becomes ill and eventually dies causing rifts to develop due to the fact that the one person who keeps the family grounded is no longer around to mediate disputes and to show love and guidance to the younger generation. This is definitely a wonderful film that should be viewed by every family no matter what race they are.