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Soul Men is a 2008 American musical film comedy film directed by Malcolm D. Lee, and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sharon Leal and Sean Hayes.
The film released on November 7, 2008. It was one of three films featuring Mac that were released after his death (and was actually released on the same date as another posthumous film, ). distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Mac and Isaac Hayes died on August 9 and 10, 2008, respectively, and the film is dedicated to their memory. Director Lee said the film was heavily re-edited to soften the tone of the film, as a tribute to the two actors. Critical reviews were mixed, and the film was financially unsuccessful.
They arrive at a hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, where they will stay overnight and perform, but their performance is a disaster. As they argue after the failed performance, they recall what caused their friendship to resolve decades earlier: Floyd's bedding Louis's girlfriend. The next morning, however, they hear one of their old songs playing on the radio, and they start dancing, reminiscing on their time as a group.
The duo perform well at a hotel in Amarillo, Texas. When their money is stolen by women posing as groupies, they contact Phillip, Epstein's intern, but he is unable to provide funds. The duo travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma to the home of a woman they used to know, Odetta. They meet Odetta's daughter Cleo and Cleo's live-in boyfriend Lester, a rapper and drug dealer. Cleo informs the travelers that Odetta died.
During their visit, Louis notices Cleo singing and playing on her piano; he realizes she has musical talent. Floyd and Louis ask Cleo if she will join them on their trip. They see signs of physical abuse, so Louis confronts Lester, who pulls out a gun but is overtaken by Louis. Louis forces Lester to apologize to both Floyd and Cleo, then breaks Lester's arm. Arriving in Memphis, Tennessee, Floyd, Louis and Cleo meet Phillip at their hotel. Floyd and Louis perform at the hotel, with Cleo as their lead singer. Her performance attracts the attention of famed soul musician Isaac Hayes (playing himself). Meanwhile, Lester has pursued the group to Memphis, and he abducts Phillip. Floyd, who's about to tell Cleo that he believes he is her father, learns that he is not. Cleo explains that Louis is actually her father, and this leads to a physical altercation between Floyd and Louis. After the fight, Louis states that it is a bad idea to be in Cleo's life because he ruined his own. After hearing this statement, Cleo tearfully runs away. Lester confronts Louis and Floyd to retaliate against both of them, but they subdue him. However, Floyd and Louis are arrested.
Floyd is released, but Louis stays in custody due to a parole violation. Floyd breaks Louis out of jail, believing that he is dying. They steal Lester's friends' car and discover Phillip has been locked in the car's trunk. Phillip contacts Danny that The Real Deal are on their way to perform, but Phillip is fired, and Floyd and Louis are removed from the show. They arrive at the theater anyway, and Floyd convinces Danny to let them perform, confiding that Louis is dying. Isaac Hayes greets them at their dressing room, and they are surprised when Cleo appears. As Louis and Cleo reconcile, he experiences abdominal pain, which causes concern that the pain is indicating his health is failing, but Louis reveals it is merely a kidney stone.
The police arrive at the theater, so Louis and Floyd hide in what looks like a piano. However, it is a piano shaped coffin which contains Marcus's corpse. Floyd and Louis get out of the casket and step onstage to perform their hit "Walk In the Park", once again with Cleo. They are then arrested by the police.
An epilogue reads that Floyd and Louis were later released on good behavior, and they resumed touring, with Cleo as their new lead singer and Phillip as their new manager.
The film opened at #6 with a gross of about $5 million, behind Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Changeling, , Role Models, and (the latter also featured Mac; both films are dedicated in his memory). At the conclusion of its domestic theatrical run on February 5, 2009, the film's gross was $12,082,391.
Director Malcolm D. Lee said the movie was a box office failure because "nobody gave a shit about two old R&B singers."
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