The Five Heartbeats

1991
7.5| 2h1m| R| en| More Info
Released: 29 March 1991 Released
Producted By: 20th Century Fox
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.

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Reviews

Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.
Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.
Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.
Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
khillmusic I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!! I absolutely love this movie. From the acting to the singing all the drama etc.... Will always go down as one of my ALL TIME favorites!!!!
danceability Some people run at the first sight of stormy weather ... But SOME people hold on and work it out together." -- Breakout lyric from the movie's soundtrack.This movie has absolutely everything.It's got comedy of all sorts, yet this movie really isn't a comedy.And it's got compelling moments that'll make you think and make you feel some kinda way about given relatable characters and life circumstances, yet I wouldn't exactly fit this movie into a mold of your typical drama."The Five Heartbeats" is the loosely autobiographical tale of the rise, fall and ultimately triumph in life of a hit five-man R&B group from the 1960s (my father and uncles have an ongoing debate about whether this group's experiences were based upon The Temptations, The Four Tops or The Dells).This movie seems like a real-enough, real life story about how money, fame and stardom can breed distrust, hate, disloyalty and an assortment of shady dealings that could undue any family relationship or close friendship.The story follows five young men who start out as close friends who share a common passion and talent: singing.Of course, they get "discovered" but as they start to and eventually make it big, they discover their moment at the top is filled with tragedy, anger, addictions and deceptions of all kinds -- realities totally different from the starry-eyed images they'd had of "making it big" once upon a time.Overall, this movie is very much uplifting because, while it takes a life time, these five friends eventually overcome the past and learn some invaluable life lessons.This is a movie for families -- the plot and various scenes will be interpreted differently by kids and adults, however, both demographics will be able to relate to this movie's overall theme and message.Fame and fortune are fleeting. Friendships -- good friendships -- are priceless. This is a movie that was out and out ignored by Hollwyood. Easily Robert Townsend's best film and deserving of Academy Award consideration. Awesome acting, brilliant writing and a blazingly inspiring soundtrack. This movie is the complete package. Guaranteed crowd-pleasing movie and one you can watch over and over and over, and not get tired of.Probably one of the best movies I've ever seen
david_dellpiero When I saw this movie the first time I was surprised in the end how a musical movie went straight into my heart so quickly. The soundtrack i superb and the acting i very good, especially Eddie King Jr makes a strong impression with his strong acting and a broken past. This movie shows you the strong relationship between the band members and how they struggle to survive in the music business that isn't always a road to glory. The movie ends in a great way that i memorable for a very long time. The director has done a great work, this is a movie for all soul music lovers, if you missed it try to get a hand on this movie, you won't be disappointed.
jtpaladin This film was fun to watch except for a couple of things. First, the attempt to pretend as though White record producers wanted to substitute a White group in place of the Five Heartbeats was utterly retarded.Secondly, the attempt to pretend as if they were subject to racism when in fact Black music groups were a hugely popular in the '60's, is pathetic.The film traces a group which appears to be based upon the Dells. The group has its' highs and lows. You'll notice a number of cliches throughout the film. This causes the film to slow down in a number of places. The running time could have been shorter with better editing.My advice is watch the film but ignore the overt attempts to create racist feelings.