Directed by
Steve Miner
Made by
Succéfilm AB
Discover the intricate plot of Soul Man (1986). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Mark Watson, portrayed by C. Thomas Howell, is a recent graduate eager to embark on a new journey by attending law school at Harvard. He’s been banking on his affluent parents, who promised to cover his tuition and fees. However, during a perplexing conversation with his quirky father, James Sikking, Mark is dismayed to discover that his parents spent the funds on a timeshare in the Tropics instead of saving it for his education. Enraged, he resorts to a rather unusual tactic by hanging an effigy of his father, using a Cabbage Patch doll dressed to resemble him.
Determined to secure a scholarship, Mark faces a significant obstacle: the wealth of his parents disqualifies him from most financial aid. After some searching, he finds a scholarship aimed specifically at academically outstanding African-American students from California. Seizing the opportunity, Mark concocts a plan that involves obtaining experimental tanning pills from a friend working as a pharmaceutical technician. He takes them in excessive amounts, resulting in a darker appearance that allows him to masquerade as black. This scheme leads him to successfully deceive his best friend, Gordon Bloomfield, played by Arye Gross, as well as the scholarship committee. During a jog, Mark confides in Gordon about his deception, causing Gordon to tumble off a pier into the ocean in surprise.
Once they arrive in Boston, Mark and Gordon rent a place from Mr. Dunbar, an overtly prejudiced landowner, portrayed by Leslie Nielsen. To compound matters, Dunbar’s vivacious daughter, Whitney, played by Melora Hardin, is eager to get close to Mark. She misinterprets his African-American heritage and invites him to dinner with her family, leading to an incredibly awkward evening where her father watches him suspiciously, fearing Mark’s intentions involve dating his daughter solely for her skin color.
As classes commence, Mark breaks a pact with Gordon by enrolling in criminal law, hoping to leverage his connection with the black professor, James Earl Jones, expecting an easy semester. However, he soon realizes that Professor Banks’ class is far more challenging than anticipated, with the professor explicitly stating, > “I don’t play favorites, regardless of race.”
Amid his struggles, Mark meets Sarah, brought to life by Rae Dawn Chong, an intelligent law student with a much poorer background who is also a single mother to her son, George. Though initially, she sees through Mark’s flirtation, he gradually earns her respect through hard work.
One day, while navigating Cambridge, Mark finds himself the target of a racist police officer who falsely arrests him. While detained, he suffers not only humiliation but also physical violence at the hands of racist football fans. This unexpected turn of events makes it impossible for him to submit an essential term paper for Professor Banks, who, even after learning of Mark’s ordeal, reluctantly grants him a brief extension to complete it.
As the semester progresses, Mark uncovers a shocking truth: Sarah was the other candidate for the scholarship he secured. This realization sends him into a guilt-ridden state, as he grapples with the moral implications of his deception. Despite Gordon’s attempts to persuade him to keep quiet, fate intervenes when Professor Banks offers Mark a position on the student judiciary council, adding to his inner turmoil.
In a whirlwind of chaos, Mark’s world unravels when his parents pay an unannounced visit, coinciding with a surprise appearance from Sarah. Attempting to maintain the facade collapses when Mark ultimately reveals the truth. What follows is a sequence of events with Sarah storming off in anger, his parents’ shock, and an eviction notice due to his situation as he reconciles with the aftermath.
The judiciary council convenes to discuss Mark’s actions, where Gordon defends him while Mark comes forward, leading to surprising reactions from his peers. Professor Banks later meets with Mark, agreeing that his misguided actions, while wrong, have given him a unique perspective on racism and prejudice. He counsels Mark that he has learned something profound about being treated as a minority.
To make amends, Mark takes on a busboy job in the university cafeteria, where he witnesses bigoted students telling racist jokes. This compels him to confront them, leading to a physical altercation. The story ultimately concludes with Mark and Sarah rekindling their friendship, setting the stage for new beginnings after this tumultuous journey.
Track the key events of Soul Man (1986) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Mark's Graduation
Mark Watson graduates and looks forward to starting law school at Harvard. He is hopeful as his affluent parents promised to cover his tuition and fees.
Finding Out the Truth
In a surprising conversation with his father, Mark discovers that his parents have squandered his tuition funds on a timeshare in the Tropics. This revelation leaves him distraught and furious about his future.
The Effigy Incident
Enraged by his parents' betrayal, Mark ventures to express his anger through an unusual act by hanging an effigy of his father. He uses a Cabbage Patch doll dressed to resemble his dad, which showcases his frustration in a humorous manner.
Scholarship Search
Mark learns that his parents' wealth disqualifies him from most financial aid. Determined to secure a scholarship, he discovers one aimed at academically outstanding African-American students from California.
The Tanning Pill Scheme
To qualify for the scholarship, Mark devises a plan involving experimental tanning pills from a friend. He takes them in excessive amounts, resulting in a darker complexion that enables him to masquerade as black.
Confession to Gordon
While jogging, Mark confides in his best friend Gordon about his deception. This shocking revelation causes Gordon to lose balance and tumble into the ocean, highlighting the absurdity and danger of Mark's scheme.
Moving to Boston
Arriving in Boston, Mark and Gordon secure a rental from Mr. Dunbar, an overtly prejudiced landlord. Unbeknownst to Mark, Dunbar's daughter, Whitney, is interested in him, complicating their living situation.
Awkward Dinner Invitation
Whitney invites Mark to dinner with her family, mistakenly believing he is African-American. The evening is tense as Mr. Dunbar eyes Mark suspiciously, suspecting his intentions toward Whitney.
Struggles in Class
As classes begin, Mark enrolls in criminal law, hoping to gain an advantage from Professor Banks. He quickly learns that the class is much more challenging than he anticipated, as the professor emphasizes fairness across all races.
Mark Meets Sarah
While at Harvard, Mark encounters Sarah, a single mother and fellow law student. Their initial interactions are strained, but Mark's determination and hard work begin to earn her respect.
False Arrest Incident
Mark becomes a victim of racial profiling when a police officer falsely arrests him. This humiliating experience culminates in a physical altercation, leaving him shaken and unable to submit an important term paper.
Guilt over Deception
Mark discovers that Sarah was the other candidate for the scholarship he secured, which sends him into a turmoil of guilt. Despite encouragement from Gordon to keep quiet, Mark struggles with the moral implications.
Parents Visit
In a chaotic turn of events, Mark’s parents make an unannounced visit to Boston, coinciding with Sarah arriving unexpectedly. This causes Mark's carefully maintained facade to collapse, leading to an explosive reveal.
Judiciary Council Meeting
The judiciary council convenes to discuss Mark’s deception. In a surprising twist, Gordon stands up for him while Mark reveals the truth, provoking varied reactions from his peers and shedding light on the complexities of his situation.
Reconciliation and Growth
Mark takes a job as a busboy to make amends, leading to confrontations with racist remarks from students. By standing up against them, he reaffirms his beliefs and rekindles a friendship with Sarah, setting a hopeful tone for the future.
Meet the characters that bring Soul Man (1986) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Mark Watson (C. Thomas Howell)
Mark is a determined recent graduate seeking admission to law school. His journey is complicated by his misguided choice to impersonate someone of a different race to secure a scholarship. His character arc involves grappling with the consequences of his deception and ultimately seeking redemption.
Gordon Bloomfield (Arye Gross)
Gordon is Mark's supportive best friend, who finds himself caught in Mark's web of lies. Despite his initial shock at Mark's deception, he remains loyal and attempts to guide Mark towards honesty and moral integrity as events unfold.
Professor Banks (James Earl Jones)
Professor Banks is an authoritative figure in Mark's law education, emphasizing the importance of fairness and hard work. His character embodies the complexities of mentorship and gives Mark a reality check about the consequences of his actions.
Sarah (Rae Dawn Chong)
Sarah is an intelligent law student and single mother who ultimately becomes a pivotal figure in Mark's realization of his wrongdoings. Her resilience and moral fortitude challenge Mark to confront his own values and decisions.
Mr. Dunbar (Leslie Nielsen)
Mr. Dunbar is a prejudiced landlord who embodies the societal prejudices that Mark encounters. His character adds depth to the film's exploration of race by illustrating the blatant discrimination that persists in everyday life.
Uncover the settings of Soul Man (1986), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting societal issues such as race relations and class disparity. It captures a pivotal moment in Mark's life as he navigates the complexities of higher education and personal integrity.
Location
Cambridge, Boston, Tropics
The story unfolds primarily in Cambridge, a vibrant city known for its prestigious universities, including Harvard, where Mark strives to prove himself. It also references the Tropics, where Mark's parents invested in a timeshare, highlighting their affluential lifestyle. This contrast illustrates the disparity between Mark's aspirations and his family's distractions.
Explore the core themes of Soul Man (1986). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Identity
Mark's journey is marked by his attempts to navigate racial identity and deception. His use of tanning pills to alter his appearance reveals the extreme lengths he goes to in pursuit of acceptance and opportunity. The theme explores the fluidity of identity and the moral dilemmas that often accompany it.
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Racism
The film directly confronts issues of racism and prejudice, showcasing Mark's struggles as he faces hostility both from the police and his peers. It serves as a critical commentary on societal stereotypes and the challenges that come with crossing racial boundaries.
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Guilt
Mark's deception leads to a profound sense of guilt, particularly upon discovering that Sarah deserved the scholarship he obtained through dishonesty. This theme highlights the emotional consequences of his actions and the impact of personal choices on relationships.
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