The Weinstein Company comedy “Soul Men” starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac that centers on two estranged R&B greats who attempt a comeback at middle age, has angered Sam Moore, the living half of the1960s famous R&B combo Sam & Dave who believes the film is a “thinly veiled portrayal” of their career according to the London Independent, who has nabbed an early look at legal documents that will be filed next week by the singer.
Sam & Dave wrote the seminal R&B hit “Soul Man,” and the film’s producers were smart enough not to license their songs in the film’s CD soundtrack, but another seminal track, “Hold On… I’m Coming” is featured in the film (hear the track below).
The legal letters say the film gives a “defamatory account” of their own reunion in 1992 and Moore is pissed and thinks the film portrays them as buffoonish minstrels.
According to the Independent:
The film infringes trademark rights over the duo’s most famous song, “Soul Man”, Moore alleges. It also wrongly portrays them as constantly swearing, making liberal use of the “N-word” and indulging in casual sex with groupies, he complains. “The film is sexist, racist, and embarrassing, and that’s not what Sam & Dave were about,” said Moore, who is seeking “significant” compensation, together with a disclaimer distancing him from the narrative.
“It’s so amateurish, so stupid, and I’m surprised that Samuel L Jackson is involved in this. But when you read the script, all you see is vulgarity. Every other word is the ‘N-word’ or ‘M-f’ and it’s just not right. They have bastardised my whole story.”
Youch. The Weinstein’s and the films producers of course deny jacking their story, but the late Issac Hayes is also in the film and he actually produced Sam & Dave’s “Hold On… I’m Coming.”
“The Weinstein Company says the film’s fiction. In that case, I’d like them to tell me what part’s supposed to be fiction,” said Moore. “I’d like them to tell me which two black soul musicians, signed to Stax Records, who worked with Isaac Hayes, it’s meant to portray.” The duo’s other half David Prater passed away in 1998.