Soul Food (1997)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

George Tillman Jr.

Writer (WGA):

George Tillman Jr. (written by)

Release Date:

26 September 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Matriarch Mama Joe has held her family together for 40 years around a Sunday dinner of soul food. When diabetes hospitalizes her...

Plot Keywords:

Sister | African | Terminal Illness | Discrimination | Unemployment

Awards:

6 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Vanessa Williams	...	Teri (as Vanessa L. Williams)
Vivica A. Fox	...	Maxine
Nia Long	...	Robin / '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

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong sexuality and language.

Runtime:

114 min | Argentina:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Iceland:L | Australia:MA | Spain:13 | USA:R | Germany:6 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Edmonds Entertainment Group (EEG)

Trivia:

'Vanessa L. Williams', Vivica A. Fox, and Nia Long all previously starred in _"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990)_ as three very different love interests of Will Smith's character.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Bird's co-workers are attacking Lem when he comes out the bathroom, he's wearing boxers under his towel.

Quotes:

Lem: I don't need your help. I can find my own job.
Bird: Okay.
[Bird stares at Lem's crotch]
Lem: And stop lookin' at my dick.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Boondocks: The Itis (#1.10)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

In Due Time

A Warm and Engaging Family Film

SOUL FOOD is an entertaining and, at times moving film that chronicles the lives of a tight-knit African American family. Big Mama (Irma P. Hall) is the widowed patriarch and referee who always knows exactly what to say to her children in any situation. Vanessa Williams is Terri, the oldest daughter, a no-nonsense attorney who spends a lot of time bailing family members out of tight spots and never lets them forget it. Terri's husband Miles (Michael Beach) is also an attorney who really wants to be a musician and is fighting an attraction to Terri's flaky cousin Faith (Gina Ravera). Viveca A. Fox is Maxine, the middle daughter who is married to Kenny (Jeffrey D. Sams), who we learn she stole from Terri when they were teenagers and has a son Ahmad (Brandon Hammond)who assists Big Mama in her job as family referee. The story opens at the wedding of youngest daughter Bird (Nia Long)whose new husband (Mikhi Phifer)is having trouble securing employment because of his stint in prison. The family manages to handle their differences until Big Mama is incapacitated by illness and can no longer be peacekeeper, but young Ahmad, seeing his family crumble, steps up to take up the slack. This entertaining comedy-drama has a surprisingly smart screenplay and first-rate performances, with young Hammond a standout. Lovely family drama that affectionately embraces the experience of a loving African American family. And the food looks delicious!