It was quite a shock on Aug. 9 to learn seasoned comedian and actor Bernie Mac had died at age 50 due to complications of pneumonia. Almost three months have passed, and although the tragedy is no less, fans can relish in Mac’s talent in one of his final projects, Soul Men.
Soul Men’s plot may be cliché and predictable, but Mac (Transformers) shines as the tough-talking, emotional and slightly neurotic Floyd Henderson, a washed-up R&B star who is bored of retirement. The movie thrives on the barbs and insults Henderson trades with his former groupmate, Louis Hinds, whose bad-ass yet oddly philosophical nature is channeled by Samuel L. Jackson (Lakeview Terrace).
Henderson and Hinds were famous in the ’60s and ’70s as the duo The Real Deal and as backup singers for the superstar Marcus Hook, a character depicted only through images of singer John Legend. But the pair split after Henderson stole Hinds’ girlfriend, and both fell onto hard times as the years passed. Henderson takes about a dozen pills for his numerous mental and physical issues, while Hinds served time and was a junkie. But when Hook dies, Henderson challenges Hinds’ lackadaisical attitude and convinces him to travel across the country to Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater to perform in Hook’s tribute concert. So the two road-trip it, and both hilarity and mediocrity ensue.
Some of the funnier moments include Henderson’s one-night stand with a middle-aged groupie (Jennifer Coolidge, Igor) who offers to give him a velveteen rub. Henderson responds, “Ain’t no cheese involved, is it? ‘Cause I’m lactose intolerant.” But he probably wished the overzealous woman pulled out a box of Velveeta instead of what she did next.
Other high points include The Real Deal’s run-ins with Lester the Court Jester (Affion Crockett, Bar Starz), a goofy – yet violent – wannabe rapper who is the live-in boyfriend of Henderson’s ex-wife’s daughter (Sharon Leal, Linewatch). The duo’s biggest fan, a Jewish guy with Don Cornelius-like aspirations, and a record company intern named Phillip (Adam Herschman, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay) also provide humorous antics.
Mainly, Soul Men is also carried by the dialogue between the two stars. The film is basically a showcase for Mac and Jackson to talk trash, yell at each other and look silly singing and dancing in blue, Soul Train-style suits. However, their relationship has a forced and unclear transition: One minute, the two hate each other; the next, they are back to being best friends without any actual resolution of their differences.
The soundtrack also could have been better to offset the weak storyline. There are only two decent musical scenes, and the rest of the film’s song selection doesn’t take advantage of the best ’60s and ’70s soul records. Soul Men does, however, feature a cameo by legendary singer Isaac Hayes, who died from a stroke at age 65 the day after Mac passed. It’s a little less than both men deserved, but still mildly successful in its low-stakes act.
Soul Men is not one of the buddy comedy genre’s best, but the film manages to amuse thanks to Mac’s and Jackson’s respective efforts. Their onscreen chemistry makes the film watchable. It’s further proof as to why losing Mac meant losing a truly gifted comedian.
arush@umd.edu
RATING: 3 out of 5 stars
