(1997)
Notes: 20th-Century Fox. 115 minutes.
Mama Joe: Irma P. Hall
Terri: Vanessa Williams
Miles: Michael Beach
Faith: Gina Ravera
Maxine: Viveca Fox
Kenny: Jeffry D. Sams
Bird: Nia Long
Lem: Mekhi Phifer
Ahmed: Brandon Hammond
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Producers: Tracey E. Edmonds and Robert Teitel
Screenplay: George Tillman Jr.
Cinematography: Paul Elliot
Music: Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin
Summary: This film focuses on a family in the 1990s, heldtogether by the affectionate Mama Joe. Every Sunday she makesthe family get together for dinner. She and her three daughtersprepare the meal. Unfortunately, Mama Joe slips into a diabeticcoma and the 40-year tradition comes to an end. Without the attentionsof Mama Joe, the family slowly begins to come apart. Lem cannotfind a job, and eventually becomes enraged with his wife Birdwhen he finds out how she got him a job. Terri, furious with Lembecause she thinks he attacked Bird, has a goon beat him up. Lemeventually winds up in jail. Terri's husband Miles has an affairwith her cousin Faith. This leads to a rather funny scene in whichTerri first chases her husband with a butcher knife and then Faithwhile they are all at a party. Mama Joe dies and Terri decidesto sell Mama Joe's house against the wishes of her family. Inorder to reunite the family Ahmed lures the family back to MamaJoe's for a Sunday dinner.
Commentary: There are enough shots of food for this filmto be considered a food movie. A substantial amount of the plotis also devoted to the food. The best scenes are early in themovie at Bird and Lem's wedding. Later when Mama Joe has diedand the family is reunited for a Sunday dinner the preparationof the meal will likely spark an appetite, especially the friedcatfish. However, macaroni and cheese just does not compare totimpani, nor is the presentation nearly as elaborate as filmslike Babette's Feast or Eat Drink Man Woman. Thefood is certainly more realistic of what a real family eats; but,realistic or not it is far less impressive.
Food Frontpage
I'm a film enthusiast with a deep knowledge of the movie "Soul Food" (1997). The details you provided about the cast, crew, and plot are accurate. As for the concepts used in the article, let's break it down:
-
Title and Year: "Soul Food" (1997) is a film produced by 20th Century Fox, directed by George Tillman Jr., and features a cast including Irma P. Hall, Vanessa Williams, Michael Beach, Gina Ravera, Viveca Fox, Jeffry D. Sams, Nia Long, Mekhi Phifer, and Brandon Hammond.
-
Plot Summary:
- The film revolves around a family in the 1990s, anchored by the loving Mama Joe.
- Mama Joe brings the family together every Sunday for dinner.
- A significant twist occurs when Mama Joe slips into a diabetic coma, ending the 40-year tradition.
- Without Mama Joe's guidance, the family faces challenges – Lem struggles to find a job, Terri and Lem's relationship becomes strained, leading to Lem's arrest.
- Terri's husband, Miles, has an affair with her cousin Faith, leading to comedic and dramatic situations.
- Mama Joe passes away, and Terri decides to sell her house against the family's wishes.
- To reunite the family, Ahmed devises a plan to bring them together for a Sunday dinner.
-
Production Details:
- Director: George Tillman Jr.
- Producers: Tracey E. Edmonds and Robert Teitel.
- Screenplay: George Tillman Jr.
- Cinematography: Paul Elliot.
- Music: Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin.
-
Commentary on Food in the Film:
- The article notes that there are enough shots of food in the film to consider it a food movie.
- The plot also involves significant attention to food, especially during key scenes like Bird and Lem's wedding.
- The commentary suggests that the best food scenes are early in the movie and during the family's Sunday dinner after Mama Joe's death.
- Specific mention is made of the fried catfish being particularly appetizing.
- A comparison is drawn with other food-centric films like "Babette's Feast" and "Eat Drink Man Woman," highlighting differences in presentation and impressiveness.
-
Food Films Category:
- The article places "Soul Food" in the category of food films, noting that a substantial part of the plot is dedicated to food.
Overall, the film is portrayed as a family drama with a significant focus on food, depicting realistic family meals but with a less elaborate presentation compared to other notable food-centric films.
