Soul Men

In yet another variation on the shopworn road picture in which two mismatched former buddies are forced to cross the country together, Soul Men’s uneasy brand of overly broad humor and contrived situations is saved intermittently by some cool musical numbers. But alas, it’s not enough. Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) and Floyd (Bernie Mac) are part of a major musical group, led by Marcus Hooks (John Legend) who goes solo, leaving Floyd and Louis in the lurch. Fast forward 20 years, Hooks has died, and Louis and Floyd, who did not end on good terms and have not spoken since, have been coerced into appearing a tribute show for Hooks at New York’s famed Apollo Theatre. Afraid to fly, they get in Floyd’s 1971 Cadillac El Dorado, accompanied by a talented young woman (Sharon Leal) who may be Floyd’s daughter. Along the way they try to get their act up to speed by appearing in various redneck honky tonks, filling the interminable 103-minute running time with a lot of unfunny sexual encounters and unbelievable situations.