IMDb > Soul Man (1986)
Soul Man
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Soul Man (1986) -- Theatrical Preview

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
4.7/10   3,160 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Carol Black (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Soul Man on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 October 1986 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A comedy with heart and soul. more
Plot:
To achieve his dream of attending Harvard, a pampered teen poses as a young black man to receive a full scholarship. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
Ridiculous but worthwhile more (19 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

C. Thomas Howell ... Mark Watson

Rae Dawn Chong ... Sarah Walker

Arye Gross ... Gordon Bloomfeld

James Earl Jones ... Professor Banks

Melora Hardin ... Whitney Dunbar

Leslie Nielsen ... Mr. Dunbar
Ann Walker ... Mrs. Dunbar
James Sikking ... Bill Watson (as James B. Sikking)
Max Wright ... Dr. Aronson
Jeff Altman ... Ray McGrady

Julia Louis-Dreyfus ... Lisa Stimson

Maree Cheatham ... Mrs. Dorothy Watson (as Marie Cheatham)

Wallace Langham ... Barky Brewer (as Wally Ward)
Eric Schiff ... Booey Fraser
Ron Reagan ... Frank
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Imposter (USA) (alternative title)
more
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L | USA:PG-13 ([#28314]) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 (video rating) (uncut) (1987) | UK:PG (original rating) (cut) | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M (cable rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Co-stars C. Thomas Howell and Rae Dawn Chong met on the set of this film and later married. more
Quotes:
Professor Banks: I understand you are allowed one phone call from jail?
Mark Watson: Yes.
Professor Banks: Next time you get arrested, use it to call me. I'll bring you your books. You can study in jail.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Totally Academic more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Ridiculous but worthwhile, 25 May 2004
4/10
Author: tjc60 (tjc60@eiis.net) from Casey, Illinois

What can I say? Some trashy movies can become addictive. This is one of those movies. With each viewing, you discover something new. It's definately a thought-provoking film, at times preachy, at times heart-warming romance, at times slapstick, and at times blatantly racist. And yes, at times painfully stupid. C. Thomas Howell may well have done the poorest job in film history of impersonating a black man, and black people nationwide were justifiably offended. The epiphany Howell undergoes toward the end of the film only partially redeems his character. The wonderful performance by James Earl Jones as the dour Professor Banks, and of course Arye Gross as Howell's hilarious sidekick Gordon go a long way toward's salvaging what could have been a preachy, sentimental mess. Well, almost. From me it get's a 4/10. But like I say, it's addictive. Somewhat like popcorn. Final verdict: Not a bad rental, and if you can find the DVD at Walmart for under $10 go ahead and buy it.

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more (19 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Soul Man (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
is it just me or did this ruin CTHowells career bensmybaby
Why do people think this is a racist film? petekrug17
Was Whitney 'the village bicycle' of Harvard university? boogles
iS THIS MOVIE WORTH BUYING! [ignore the typo error underneath this post XxWe_Are_MarshallxX
Those two guys who keep telling the jokes mattscdl
Ouch.. this movie really sets peolpe off. mcgill_j
more

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