Soul Man

Mark Watson graduates and looks forward to starting law school at Harvard. He is hopeful as his affluent parents promised to cover his tuition and fees.

In a surprising conversation with his father, Mark discovers that his parents have squandered his tuition funds on a timeshare in the Tropics. This revelation leaves him distraught and furious about his future.

Enraged by his parents' betrayal, Mark ventures to express his anger through an unusual act by hanging an effigy of his father. He uses a Cabbage Patch doll dressed to resemble his dad, which showcases his frustration in a humorous manner.

Mark learns that his parents' wealth disqualifies him from most financial aid. Determined to secure a scholarship, he discovers one aimed at academically outstanding African-American students from California.

To qualify for the scholarship, Mark devises a plan involving experimental tanning pills from a friend. He takes them in excessive amounts, resulting in a darker complexion that enables him to masquerade as black.

While jogging, Mark confides in his best friend Gordon about his deception. This shocking revelation causes Gordon to lose balance and tumble into the ocean, highlighting the absurdity and danger of Mark's scheme.

Arriving in Boston, Mark and Gordon secure a rental from Mr. Dunbar, an overtly prejudiced landlord. Unbeknownst to Mark, Dunbar's daughter, Whitney, is interested in him, complicating their living situation.

Whitney invites Mark to dinner with her family, mistakenly believing he is African-American. The evening is tense as Mr. Dunbar eyes Mark suspiciously, suspecting his intentions toward Whitney.

As classes begin, Mark enrolls in criminal law, hoping to gain an advantage from Professor Banks. He quickly learns that the class is much more challenging than he anticipated, as the professor emphasizes fairness across all races.

While at Harvard, Mark encounters Sarah, a single mother and fellow law student. Their initial interactions are strained, but Mark's determination and hard work begin to earn her respect.

Mark becomes a victim of racial profiling when a police officer falsely arrests him. This humiliating experience culminates in a physical altercation, leaving him shaken and unable to submit an important term paper.

Mark discovers that Sarah was the other candidate for the scholarship he secured, which sends him into a turmoil of guilt. Despite encouragement from Gordon to keep quiet, Mark struggles with the moral implications.

In a chaotic turn of events, Mark’s parents make an unannounced visit to Boston, coinciding with Sarah arriving unexpectedly. This causes Mark's carefully maintained facade to collapse, leading to an explosive reveal.

The judiciary council convenes to discuss Mark’s deception. In a surprising twist, Gordon stands up for him while Mark reveals the truth, provoking varied reactions from his peers and shedding light on the complexities of his situation.

Mark takes a job as a busboy to make amends, leading to confrontations with racist remarks from students. By standing up against them, he reaffirms his beliefs and rekindles a friendship with Sarah, setting a hopeful tone for the future.