Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on black music group singers. the casting and acting was one of the better. I would recommedn this movies for entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on black music group singers. the casting and acting was one of the better. I would recommedn this movies for entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

intelligent thriller
The high intensity of Anthony Perkins in all his roles give also this intelligent thriller a genious touch. I read the book. But the film is much better than this book ever can be. Bohm shows also high quality acting. Because of Perkins this movie will become over the years cult status. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on black music group singers. the casting and acting was one of the better. I would recommedn this movies for entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on black music group singers. the casting and acting was one of the better. I would recommedn this movies for entertainment. ... Read more