Rating: PG13
Genre:
Comedy
Theatrical Release: 10/24/1986(USA)
Release Date: 03/19/2002
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 105 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language, Profanity
Distributor/Studio: Anchor Bay
An ambitious-but -spoiled rich white kid wins a scholarship to Harvard Law School by pretending to be African-American in this broadly-played comedy. After his father cuts him off financially, Mark Watson (
C. Thomas Howell) wins a full tuition scholarship to Harvard by claiming to be African-American on the application form. With the help of his best friend Gordon (
Arye Gross), Mark acquires some bronzing pills, a new hairdo, and a lowered voice. Disguised as a black student, Mark thinks that he's going to breeze through the program. The reality of being a minority at a mostly white institution quickly catches up to him, however, when he encounters some tacit racism and falls for Sarah Walker (
Rae Dawn Chong), a fellow student whose affection makes him feel guilty about his ruse. Then there's the imperious Professor Banks (
James Earl Jones), an African-American instructor who expects him to perform at a higher level than the other students.
Soul Man was written by
Carol Black and directed by
Steve Miner, who would collaborate again for the popular television series
The Wonder Years (1988-93).
~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
