Soul Men (2008) on Netflix
Floyd Henderson and Louis Hinds sang backup together decades ago and haven't spoken since. When Marcus Hooks dies, the two agree to a cross-country drive to a tribute concert in New York.
- Netflix3.5/5
- IMDb6.4/1012,445 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes44%
Trailer
Plot summary
For years the Real Deal was a soul trio with Marcus Hooks out front and Floyd Henderson and Louis Hinds behind him. Marcus went solo, and the two backup singers stopped speaking. When Marcus dies, VH-1 invites Floyd and Louis to reunite at the Apollo Theater in New York for a tribute to their old lead singer. Floyd, restless since retiring, wants the show; Louis, an ex-convict who works as a mechanic, refuses. Floyd visits him and mentions that the fee is $40,000, and Louis agrees to go. Because Louis will not fly, the two drive from Los Angeles in Floyd's Cadillac, with five days to cover the distance, and the road gives them time to work on their old harmonies.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Soul Men (2008)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Co-stars Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes died just a day apart, on August 9 and 10, 2008, before the film's release, and it was dedicated to their memory; director Malcolm D. Lee said the movie was re-edited afterward to soften its tone as a tribute to them.
- Singer Sam Moore of Sam & Dave sued the studio in 2009, claiming the film's story of two estranged soul singers reunited after decades echoed his own real-life falling-out with his duo partner and their hit "Soul Man"; a judge found "broad similarities" but dismissed the case since Moore was never named in the film.
- Director Malcolm D. Lee said the movie was a box office failure because "nobody gave a shit about two old R&B singers."
- The song "I'm Your Puppet," presented in the film as the fictional trio's 1969 hit, was actually a real hit single for James & Bobby Purify back in 1966.
- The film marked John Legend's debut as an actor, and it turned out to be Isaac Hayes's final film role.
