FULL SYNOPSIS
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 ([[Performer~P33566~C. Thomas Howell~cthomashowell]]) 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 ([[Performer~P28966~Arye Gross~aryegross]]), 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 ([[Performer~P12943~Rae Dawn Chong~raedawnchong]]), a fellow student whose affection makes him feel guilty about his ruse. Then there's the imperious Professor Banks ([[Performer~P36131~James Earl Jones~jamesearljones]]), an African-American instructor who expects him to perform at a higher level than the other students. Soul Man was written by [[Performer~P81991~Carol Black~carolblack]] and directed by [[Performer~P102984~Steve Miner~steveminer]], who would collaborate again for the popular television series [[Feature~V175489~The Wonder Years~thewonderyears[tvseries]]] (1988-1993). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Release date:October 24, 1986