SOUL FOOD was a huge deal back in the holiday season of 1997. Everyone was talking about the huge leap African-Americans had taken in getting a non-stereotypical movie about black family values out on the big screen. There would be no shoot-em-up by the corner scenes, or baby momma's walking around. Here was a story depicting Middle class black people supporting family values and good ol' family Sunday dinners.
Of course, earlier in the year we had LOVE JONES, a superior film that starred Larenz Tate and Nia Long. That movie didn't sugarcoat as much about relationships as SOUL FOOD did. And still, EVE's BAYOU, also released around the same time, was overlooked even though it staggers high above the rest of the list. Boldly, I enjoyed Showtime's version of this film better then the movie.
We begin at Bird's wedding, played by- again- the gorgeous Nia Long. Long has seemed to blossom from amateur school girl roles (MADE IN America), to now the mature and sexy kindred she deserves. Her voluptuous cleavage bursting from her blouse, she is peeved her ex-husband (Mel Jackson) has arrived to tamper with her ego, and new husband Lem (Mekhi Phifer), perhaps because Phifer has just been released from prison.
There's Maxine, played by the talented Vivica A. Fox, and her husband. Maxine is pregnant again, and her oldest son- Ahmad (Brandon Hammond)- tells the audience his story about how the family holds it together. Maxine is stronger and more blunt about everyday situations, so as she observes Lem dancing with a stranger, she claims 'Let's go beat that ho down'. Not exactly proper etiquette, but SOUL FOOD must let out a few 'ghetto' terminologies if it wants to attract its urban audience.
Finally there's the rich couple- Terry and Miles. Played brilliantly by Vanessa L. Williams and Michael Beach, the attorneys with money are of course- not happy. He wants a music career. She loathes that Maxine's husband gives her security, while she feels her independent sculpture has caused drama no one can understand. Terry is snobby, bitter and a workaholic. Her main power hold in the family is that she has the dollars to pay for things like Bird's wedding and beauty shop, Maxine's car payments or Big Momma's hospital bills. Speaking of the latter, Irma P. Hall delivers a brief but powerful performance as the Queen of the nest who holds it all together. A widow of a gambler, she's seen hard times but knows how to work around them. Of course the cliché' in the film finds her dying mid-way through, which of course causes more drama amongst the family. Mysterious cousin Gena rolls in with the wind and finds her content with Miles, since both like music. After they have a roll in the hay, Terry files for divorce and finds even more bitter complaints to have. Meanwhile Bird struggles to find Lem a job when no one will hire him due to his criminal background.
While entertaining after 10 years, SOUL FOOD seems thin and drawn out. I didn't have as much fun watching it this time around, even though I still think the performances are top-notch. Vanessa L. William by far gives the best performance in the film, and yet I still wish there was more to Terry Joseph. At least on the show I found solitude with Nicole Ari Parker.
Of course, earlier in the year we had LOVE JONES, a superior film that starred Larenz Tate and Nia Long. That movie didn't sugarcoat as much about relationships as SOUL FOOD did. And still, EVE's BAYOU, also released around the same time, was overlooked even though it staggers high above the rest of the list. Boldly, I enjoyed Showtime's version of this film better then the movie.
We begin at Bird's wedding, played by- again- the gorgeous Nia Long. Long has seemed to blossom from amateur school girl roles (MADE IN America), to now the mature and sexy kindred she deserves. Her voluptuous cleavage bursting from her blouse, she is peeved her ex-husband (Mel Jackson) has arrived to tamper with her ego, and new husband Lem (Mekhi Phifer), perhaps because Phifer has just been released from prison.
There's Maxine, played by the talented Vivica A. Fox, and her husband. Maxine is pregnant again, and her oldest son- Ahmad (Brandon Hammond)- tells the audience his story about how the family holds it together. Maxine is stronger and more blunt about everyday situations, so as she observes Lem dancing with a stranger, she claims 'Let's go beat that ho down'. Not exactly proper etiquette, but SOUL FOOD must let out a few 'ghetto' terminologies if it wants to attract its urban audience.
Finally there's the rich couple- Terry and Miles. Played brilliantly by Vanessa L. Williams and Michael Beach, the attorneys with money are of course- not happy. He wants a music career. She loathes that Maxine's husband gives her security, while she feels her independent sculpture has caused drama no one can understand. Terry is snobby, bitter and a workaholic. Her main power hold in the family is that she has the dollars to pay for things like Bird's wedding and beauty shop, Maxine's car payments or Big Momma's hospital bills. Speaking of the latter, Irma P. Hall delivers a brief but powerful performance as the Queen of the nest who holds it all together. A widow of a gambler, she's seen hard times but knows how to work around them. Of course the cliché' in the film finds her dying mid-way through, which of course causes more drama amongst the family. Mysterious cousin Gena rolls in with the wind and finds her content with Miles, since both like music. After they have a roll in the hay, Terry files for divorce and finds even more bitter complaints to have. Meanwhile Bird struggles to find Lem a job when no one will hire him due to his criminal background.
While entertaining after 10 years, SOUL FOOD seems thin and drawn out. I didn't have as much fun watching it this time around, even though I still think the performances are top-notch. Vanessa L. William by far gives the best performance in the film, and yet I still wish there was more to Terry Joseph. At least on the show I found solitude with Nicole Ari Parker.