Soul Man Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Soul Man.
Soul Man Ending Explained: A white prospective grad student's affluent family won't pay his way through law school, so he takes tanning pills to darken his skin in order to qualify for an African-American scholarship at Harvard. Directed by Steve Miner, this 1986 comedy film stars C. Thomas Howell (Mark Watson), alongside Rae Dawn Chong as Sarah Walker, Arye Gross as Gordon Bloomfeld, James Earl Jones as Professor Banks. Rated 5.3/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of Soul Man?
A white prospective grad student's affluent family won't pay his way through law school, so he takes tanning pills to darken his skin in order to qualify for an African-American scholarship at Harvard. He soon gets more than he bargained for, as he begins to learn what life is really like for blacks in America.
Steve Miner's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on C. Thomas Howell (Mark Watson)'s journey. He soon gets more than he bargained for, as he begins to learn what life is really like for blacks in America.
How Does C. Thomas Howell (Mark Watson)'s Story End?
- C. Thomas Howell: C. Thomas Howell's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Rae Dawn Chong (Sarah Walker): Rae Dawn Chong's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Arye Gross (Gordon Bloomfeld): Arye Gross's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Soul Man Mean?
The ending of Soul Man brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of C. Thomas Howell's story may not satisfy all audiences.