Soul Man

19861986
PG-13PG-13
1h 44m

C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

Trailer

Play trailer1:00

To achieve his dream of attending Harvard, a pampered teen poses as a young black man to receive a full scholarship.To achieve his dream of attending Harvard, a pampered teen poses as a young black man to receive a full scholarship.To achieve his dream of attending Harvard, a pampered teen poses as a young black man to receive a full scholarship.

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Videos1

Soul Man

C. Thomas Howell, George Burns, and Charlie Schlatter in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

Rae Dawn Chong and C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell and Arye Gross in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell and Melora Hardin in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell and Melora Hardin in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

Rae Dawn Chong and C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell and Arye Gross in Soul Man (1986)

C. Thomas Howell and Melora Hardin in Soul Man (1986)

Secret Admirer

6.6

The Principal

6.3

Hanky Panky

5.6

Oh, God! You Devil

5.4

Oh, God! You Devil

Oh, God! Book II

5.3

Oh, God! Book II

The Hitcher

7.2

Mannequin

5.9

Red Dawn

6.4

Kid

6.2

The Legend of Billie Jean

6.7

The Legend of Billie Jean

Teachers

6.1

Can't Buy Me Love

6.8

Can't Buy Me Love

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and now, the party is over for the carefree, pampered, and very white California kid, Mark Watson. As a result, with his self-made millionaire father refusing to pay the tuition to attend the prestigious Harvard Law School, Mark's only hope rests on a full scholarship intended for an African-American applicant, and a bunch of tanning pills. Now, with his curly perm and the dark complexion, Mark can fraudulently make his dream come true; however, has Mark ever considered the ramifications, moral and legal, of his deception? —Nick Riganas

white man as black man passing for black white pretending to be black white male pretending to be black racial stereotype 60 more

Taglines
- A comedy with heart and soul.
Genres
- Comedy
- Romance
Certificate
- PG-13
Parents guide

Trivia
C. Thomas Howell had to wear colored contacts when his skin was toned to look black. His eyes are normally a goldish color and really stood out once his skin was darkened.

Goofs
About fifteen minutes into the picture, Mark and Gordon are seen traveling up Mass. Ave. in Cambridge, adjacent to the Harvard campus, and suddenly, they're not on Mass. Ave. anymore, they're on Quincy St., a couple blocks away. Then, just as suddenly, they're right back on Mass Ave., again proceeding through Harvard Square, just as they were before.

Quotes
Professor Banks: You've learned something I can't teach them. You've learned what it feels like to be black.
Mark: No sir.
Professor Banks: Beg your pardon?
Mark: I don't really know what it feels like sir. If I didn't like it, I could always get out. It's not the same sir.
Professor Banks: You've learned a great deal more than I thought.

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Soul Man/Half Moon Street/From Beyond/True Stories (1986)

Soundtracks
Hoochie Coochie Man
By Willie Dixon
Performed by Muddy Waters
Courtesy of CBS Records

Top review

On the level of John Hughes comedies!

I remember watching Soul Man about twelve years ago when it was first aired on TV. Crazy, hilarious, sarcastic, emotional; what the hell I could go on forever describing this film.

This is the only film besides "The Outsiders" that C. Thomas Howell played a dual role of himself and a black student impersona. Okay I can agree with some comments that movie began to over step it's bounderies with the way African American culture was dealt with, but at the smae time I felt that it was stabalized with the humour adding that extra touch rather than people taking it more "Politically correct" way.

James Earl Jones and Rae Dawn Chong both did fabulous jobs as there acting really help give their characters' some edge that made it somewhat convincing.

Overall a brilliant film. If you can try to avoid the fact that it might be cliched of dealing with racial differences in a light hearted manner. Remember this is a comedy and not something to take "SERIOUSLY".

Another quality film from the 80's to add to the hitlist.

helpful•19

13

Khwaj
Apr 10, 2002

Release date
- October 24, 1986 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- The Imposter
Filming locations
- Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Production companies
- Balcor Film Investors
- Steve Tisch Company
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Gross US & Canada
- $27,820,000
Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,422,179
- Oct 26, 1986
Gross worldwide
- $27,820,000

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 44 minutes
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Dolby Stereo
Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1

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