MovieChat Forums > Beat the Devil (2002) Discussion > Question.......

Question.......

posted 19 years ago by BearBear123
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I liked this short film a lot. It is definitely the best of the series, but there are some parts that I didn't understand. I'm sure I'll like it even more if I understand it. It would be great if someone can explain them to me.

1.What did it mean exactly that James Brown "sold his soul to the devil?" What was wrong with his contract?
2.What was Jame Brown's proposal? (another soul for another fifty years.....a link with the real world)
3.Why were James Brown and the Devil singing and dancing?
4.Why did the driver kick James Brown out of the car at the end?

I know that some of the questions seems really stupid, but forgive me, my English isn't that good.

[–] Atarian 19 years ago

1) In the movie, James sold his soul for fame and fortune in 1954. The contract did not address the aging process, though; so in 2002, he approached the Devil to renegotiate so that he could live (and perform) longer. His aging process prevented him from maintaning his fame and fortune ("I can't do the splits no more. It's not easy to be James Brown and scare the kids...")

2) The "other soul" would be the soul of the Driver. Mr. Brown was going to risk the Driver's soul in a friendly wager. If James wins, he gets another 50 years (possibly without the aging process- not sure). If the Devil wins, he gets the Driver's soul.

3) I think that was an excuse to see James Brown sing and dance in the movie. However, they ask the Driver if he knows something about performing- he says he knows a little bit, so the Devil and the Godfather of Soul show him.

4) Well, I would kick someone out of my car if he placed my eternal soul on the line like that. I mean, the Driver was literally driving for his life in that race. He did not agree to have his soul wagered like that in the original agreement with James ("Mr. Brown! This is not what we agreed!"), so when the race was over, his deal with Mr. Brown was over.