The Magic Black Man

The past decade of American cinema has a seen a spike in the use of a Hollywood plot device known as the Magic Black Man. Before exploring this ubiquitous phenomenon, a distinction should be made between the well-developed black character who proves capable of handling the crisis presented by the situation, and the supporting role that is simply there to help the main character (usually white) develop through the story while seeming to glide by with unattached messianic insight into the world and human soul. The magic black man has usually read the script and knows what is coming.

The godfather of them all, nobody plays the magic black man like Morgan Freeman. NOBODY. Here he is playing the most magic black man of all... God.





Perhaps where it all started, Song of the South featured a magic black man who popped up whenever a little white boy was in trouble to fix all his problems.




A more recent example, The Green Mile centers on a black inmate capable of curing impotence, resurrecting pets, and even going to the electric chair so as not to trouble the guards with clearing his name... all for a little cornbread.

While a far stronger character than your average magic black man, Morpheus still fits the bill by appearing from out of nowhere with all the answers. He possesses loads of ability, but nearly no power to be exercised apart from developing Neo's character, all the while being granted little background and character development himself.

We've already discussed Mekhi Phifer's stint as Eminem's hip hop sensei in 8-Mile.
See previous post.


A textbook case, Will Smith both appears and disappears into thin air with a bright smile and friendly advice to help Matt Damon find his swing... and himself.

(It could be argued that Will Smith plays a professional magic black man in Hitch)



Perhaps it's too easy to go after a movie starring a basketball player, but it's just such a damn fine picture. Shaq plays a genie, what's more overt than that?



While technically not a man(?), Whoopi Goldberg undoubtedly joined the magic black man club with her role in Ghost as the predecessor to Miss Cleo.



In the interest of brevity, I'll leave the list incomplete here with a Morgan Freeman bookend. Any magic black man list that does not begin and end with Morgan Freeman is a farce.