Due to its namesake I thought it was about time I watched 'Soul Food'. Unfortunately though I didn't unmask the gem that I was hoping I might find. Instead, the film progressed along at a steady pace with a plot that would've been more suited to a TV-movie (albeit a TV-movie shown relatively late at night) than to a feature-length cinematic release. Of the good points there were more than a few - the importance placed on the family was very good to see, the acting was generally of a good standard, and there was even a notable and humble inclusion of prayer towards the end of the film (although the inclusion of the somewhat comic Reverend character earlier on in the film didn't do a lot to promote religious appreciation). Throughout, there was also an acknowledgement that fidelity in all relationships is an important thing. Of the not-so-good, and even bad, points there were also a few. First of all the 'Mama' character was given an almost heroic status with no justification. The 'greatness' of her character came only from her children and grandchildren's' adulation of her, and not anything she had actually said or done herself. It was as if 'talking her up' would be enough to get the point across to the audience as to how good this woman is. The second point, and more of an important one, was the missed opportunity to convey to the audience what, or rather who, the most important person is in life. With respect to the aforementioned prayer towards the end of the film I felt that would've been a great place to wrap things up; or at least soon after that, but instead the story went on and in the end the message of the importance of family, was placed over the message of the importance of God. This is vital, since without God at the centre of their lives (and I mean the centre - not the periphery!), this family will keep on making the same mistakes they have made in the past. Finally, I also felt the underlying mood throughout the film was a little too heavily sexually oriented; even if it was mostly implicit. Most of all though, I thought the adultery scene between Miles and Faith was overly graphic (even if no real nudity was depicted). The scene came across as having an air of bitterness to it to me. In all, I think 'Soul Food' has enough answers such that it has the potential to guide a few people on to the right path in life, but there are a few that might watch this that might also be misled. |
