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Amazon.ca
Few things can be more noble than a wholehearted effort to tell the story of black secular music in America, especially through the eyes of a mid-20th century rhythm-and-blues vocal group breaking through race barriers to popular success. Comedian and filmmaker Robert Townsend's The Five Heartbeats (1991) is one such ambitious effort. If its story frequently sags under epochal burdens, the film makes up for it with a surprisingly tough look at the music business and classy appearances by Diahann Carroll and hoofer Harold Nicholas. Townsend plays one-fifth of the titular act, whose collective life and times we follow from 1965 to the 1990s, through friendships, break-ups, and re-groupings. The director's script, cowritten with Keenen Ivory Wayans, is wobbly and short on good material for the women in the cast. But several of the male actors are quite strong, particularly John Canada Terrell as an original Heartbeats replacement. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By C. BULLARD
Format:DVD
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.
By A customer
Format:DVD
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.
Format:DVD
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.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
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.
Published on May 2 2004 by Bookpages
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now, when did these guys record?
The fact that a significant number of my students, past and present, think that this is a docudrama about an actual group is a testament to Robert Townsend's genius. Read more
Published on Feb 16 2004 by Reginald D. Garrard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shontai's Review
I loved this movie because it grabs your attention and the story is very interesting. I loved all of the characters in the movie especially Michael Wright, he definitely stole the... Read more
Published on Dec 31 2003 by S. Cameron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why this is in my top 5 all time movies
There was a time in the late 80s when a spate of new black films were coming out and, inspired by Spike Lee's early movies (She's Gotta have It, Do the Right Thing), I began my... Read more
Published on Nov 16 2003 by "dinmc"
4.0 out of 5 stars
I LOVE THIS MOVIE I THOUGHT IT BE THE NORM IN BLACK CINEMA
I SAW THIS MOVIE IN 1991 AND WAS AMAZED BY THE APPLAUSE AT THE END BY THE MAJORITY BLACK AUIDENCE WHO SAW IT. Read more
Published on Sep 24 2003 by E. D. Daniels
4.0 out of 5 stars
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. Read more
Published on July 11 2003 by The Fancy One
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
In addition to getting my Temptations DVD autographed, Leon also autographed this for me! Superb casting, realistic storyline (the ups and downs of a music group), and great music... Read more
Published on Jun 17 2003 by S. Castellano
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nights Like This
This movie will make u laugh,cry,be sympathetic and keep u interested.Great soundtrack and an excellent performance by Eddie Kane Jr. Read more
Published on April 21 2003 by Darrell Bauman
5.0 out of 5 stars
my Second Favorite Movie
At first when I saw this movie, I was a little disappointed. Let me explain. I had been watching the Temptations movie faithfully when someone suggested that I watch the Five... Read more
Published on April 17 2003 by "mst300"
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this movie
I love this movie! I have seen this movie so many times, it is so good. If you've seen "The Temptations" and like it, you have to see this as well. Read more
Published on April 16 2003 by "tameno"
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