Rating: 
Summary: On Balance, a Strong Family Film Well Worth Seeing
Review: Thank goodness someone made a good, warm-hearted film about a family--that's pretty much what I thought when I first saw "Soul Food" in the theater in 1997. Like many Americans, I was starved for a movie that didn't portray the American family as broken or malignant, which appears to be the Hollywood standard. "Soul Food" works primarily because it never loses sight of the importance of family, even as its members may bicker or transgress. The plot focuses on the lasting impact of the family matriarch--Big Mama (played wonderfully by Irma P. Hall)--whose kind heart and wise soul holds the family of mostly younger couples together, despite their foibles. When she passes away from complications due to diabetes, her daughters must overcome their differences to uphold the family traditions, best embodied by Sunday dinners that go beyond simple meals. The cast is generally superb, though Vivica Fox and Brandon Hammond (as grandson Ahmad, through whose eyes we are told the story), sometimes try too hard, making their characters border on caricature in a film that otherwise seems so lifelike. There is a subplot involving a hidden family fortune that also gets in the way--writer and director George Tillman, Jr., seems to want to jam as much into the story as possible when he really doesn't have to, as the main plot is interesting enough. These flaws are oddly more apparent on the small screen than they were on the big screen. Nonetheless, "Soul Food," despite its "R" rating, is an effective family film, one with a sense of authenticity that Hollywood seems to have mostly forgotten.
Rating: 
Summary: Great insight into the joys and complications of family life
Review: The family in this movie is head by "Big Mama" (don't even think about the recent Martin Lawrence farce "Big Momma's House"), a larger than life weathered woman who keeps the family going with her straight-shooting wisdom and hearty Sunday dinners. Vanessa Williams, who plays the oldest sister, is a wealthy attorney who constantly annoys her two sisters with her snobbery. She is involved in a crumbling marriage, which eventually turns adulterous. Vivica Fox plays the middle sister, a woman who is a devoted wife and mother. Nia Long plays the youngest sister, a newlywed to a small-time crook. Big Mama's death sends the family into a tailspin, all of a sudden the glue holding the sisters together is gone, and they have to laugh, cry, love, and fight their way into finding out how to hold it together themselves. Touching and so true.
Rating:
Summary: Great insight into the joys and complications of family life
Review: The family in this movie is head by "Big Mama" (don't even think about the recent Martin Lawrence farce "Big Momma's House"), a larger than life weathered woman who keeps the family going with her straight-shooting wisdom and hearty Sunday dinners. Vanessa Williams, who plays the oldest sister, is a wealthy attorney who constantly annoys her two sisters with her snobbery. She is involved in a crumbling marriage, which eventually turns adulterous. Vivica Fox plays the middle sister, a woman who is a devoted wife and mother. Nia Long plays the youngest sister, a newlywed to a small-time crook. Big Mama's death sends the family into a tailspin, all of a sudden the glue holding the sisters together is gone, and they have to laugh, cry, love, and fight their way into finding out how to hold it together themselves. Touching and so true.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing and moving performance
Review: The first time I watched this movie I cried twice, the second time I started crying from the opening credits on. This movie left me feeling warm and envious of this loving family that initially was kept together with sunday dinner at grandma's but later still had the strength through ups and downs to be one. I wish families were more like this where I am from. LOVED IT....
Rating:
Summary: Truly a feast for the soul
Review: The movie moved me to tears. The writers brilliant way of bringing to life the charaters was so profound it was like watching a scene from life with your finger on the rewind button. I hope to see more movies written by this young writer.
Rating:
Summary: like sunday dinner a must have
Review: this film reminds me of my family.6 days anything&everything could happen but sunday was a day of peace&togetherness.also when a family member passed to a higher calling folks would get greedy and become your best friend.this film touches on so much for me.a must have with sunday dinner.
Rating:
Summary: entertaining film
Review: This film takes the viewer through a series of events that affect a black family in America- the family is centred around a character known as 'big mamma'. It details the matriachial aspects of black family life through its up and downs. There a soulful soundtrack and many entertaining moments
Rating:
Summary: LOVING YOU IS LIKE FOOD TO MY SOUL!!!!
Review: THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE ABOUT FAMILY. THIS MOVIE ABOUT A FAMILY STRUGGLING TRONG TO GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER AND TOGETHERNESS, LOVING EACH OTHER, AND BEING THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER IN HARD TIMES BUT THE FAMILY STICKS TOGETHER AND STAYS TOGETHER AND OVERCOME THEIR FAMILY PROBLEMS.
Rating:
Summary: Why did I wait so long to see this film?
Review: This is not the best movie about Black people or the best movie about families, but it is real and poignant and engaging. I'm not embarrassed to say that I, a 51-year-old Black Man, wept twice during this movie. People of all races and ages will find emotions and interactions that they can feel and understand: family ties, sibling rivalry, unconditional love, misdirected macho-ness, fear of change, need to feel connected, pulling together to save something of value-it's all here for your enjoyment. All families are not like this one, indeed very few probably are, and certainly NONE are as stunningly gorgeous as the men and women who play these roles, but all families will recognize the positive and negative dynamics that drive the actions of these people. I think that I might be glad to have seen this movie in the emotional safety of my living room instead of the crowded loneliness of a cinema.
Rating:
Summary: An EXCELLENT film about families, period...
Review: This is one of the best movies featuring black characters I've ever seen. It was refreshing to see a movie that wasn't glorifying violence, but focusing on the triumphs and tragedies of one family...I saw some of the situations presented in "Soul Food" so much like my own family. I identified most with the Vanessa Williams character. Everyone should see this movie, no matter what their race. It will make you laugh, make you cry...it's that type of movie. GET IT.
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