Movie Description
Malcolm Lee, director of upbeat family fare such as WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS and ROLL BOUNCE, takes a slightly raunchier tack for his uproarious buddy comedy, SOUL MEN. The late Bernie Mac gives one of his final performances as Floyd Henderson, a retired back-up singer for a ‘60s soul act known as the Real Deal. When the group's lead singer, Marcus Hooks--played by real-life soul singer John Legend--suddenly drops dead, the two remaining members of the group, Henderson and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson), are enlisted to play a tribute concert at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Hinds, an ex-convict trying his best to stay out of the limelight, is persuaded by Henderson to drive cross-country for the chance to re-ignite his music career. The classic comedic trope of road-trip antagonism reaches new heights as the pair curse and claw at each other for the entire voyage, taking occasional breaks to stage impromptu roadside rehearsals and other, less PG-rated misadventures. Throughout, Mac's formidable skills at slapstick play against Jackson's no-nonsense, tough guy demeanor--a veneer that, at times, cracks enough to reveal some genuinely tender moments between the two. But SOUL MEN's final, most poignant postscript is a cameo by fallen soul legend Isaac Hayes--who, coincidentally, died the same week as Bernie Mac--casting a bittersweet pall over the film's enjoyably comic shenanigans.
Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac top the marquee in this road trip comedy. The two stars play Louis and Floyd, two former soul group members who had a falling out years ago. But when a mutual friend (John Legend) dies, they embark on a five-day trip to Harlem for a tribute show. Malcolm D. Lee (WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS) directs.
| Credits | | Producer: | Charles Castaldi, David T. Friendly | | Cast: | John Legend, Sharon Leal |
Editorial Reviews
"[I]t works surprisingly well. Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac make a winning duo in the bawdy buddy road-trip picture SOUL MEN."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (11/07/2008)
"[T]he laughs build and you realize that Mac is pulling them out of some unseen top hat."
Los Angeles Times - Michael Phillips (11/07/2008)
"SOUL MEN is a raucous, rambling comedy....[T]he soundtrack of well-made soul covers and the cruder music of Mr. Jackson and Mr. Mac's foulmouthed one-upmanship provide a measure of satisfaction."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (11/07/2008)
"[Mac and Jackson] appear to be having a ball doing the musical numbers, which are infectious....[The film] manages to hit just enough of the right notes to serve as a respectable coda to Mac's legacy."
Variety - Brian Lowry (11/03/2008)
"[Mac and Jackson] appear to be having a ball doing the musical numbers, which are infectious....[The film] manages to hit enough of the right notes to serve as a respectable coda to Mac's legacy."
Variety - Brian Lowry (11/03/2008)
"SOUL MEN is a chance to salute these masters of mirth and music. Take it."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (11/13/2008)
"This contemporary riff on THE SUNSHINE BOYS generally manages to succeed...thanks to the entertaining performance by Mac and co-star Samuel L. Jackson and its generous doses of raucous humor and sweet soul music."
Hollywood Reporter - Frank Scheck (11/03/2008)
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