Rating: 
Summary: The rise and fall of a '60s group
Review: "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!
Rating: 
Summary: Now, when did these guys record?
Review: 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. This is, perhaps, the greatest tribute to the legendary groups of the 50's and 60's. Leon deserved at least an Oscar nomination for his intense and highly believable performance.
Rating:
Summary: Shontai's Review
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 show. I would definitely recommend buying this movie because you will NOT be dissappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The rise and fall of a '60s group
Review: "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!
Rating:
Summary: Why this is in my top 5 all time movies
Review: 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 collection of modern black movies. However, lost in my video "must see" list was the Five Heartbeats. Luckily, a friend reminded me about this film in the mid 90s and I was blown away by Robert Townsend's film. Originality that is hard to find in American black movies of today; an "historical" look at a musical era that meant so much to black people (and indeed a lot of white people worldwide, especially in my native Great Britain);and great music numbers. There are so many wonderful performances in the movie, not least that of the actor who plays Red, the nasty independent record company owner (the next time I saw him play a film it was as a bus driver bit part in Sandra Bullock's "Speed" - what an absolute waste of a talent!) One of my favourite sections of the film is the transformation of the group's image from the late 60s into the early seventies, characters of the band now sporting "Earth, Wind & Fire" type sideburns, hairstyles and flairs. This video is an absolute joy to watch over and over again! And Robert Townsend: where are you fella? We need more of your craft displayed on film. Finally, I agree very much with critics on this site who find much drab repetitiveness of some of the black films of today. One of the great things about filmmakers like Spike Lee and Robert Townsend is that they have introduced the world to some fantastic black talent over the years - if only we had some more talented writers and directors to equal their talents and produce some truly astonishing storylines I for one would be ever so grateful.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS MOVIE I THOUGHT IT BE THE NORM IN BLACK CINEMA
Review: I SAW THIS MOVIE IN 1991 AND WAS AMAZED BY THE APPLAUSE AT THE END BY THE MAJORITY BLACK AUIDENCE WHO SAW IT. THE STORY OF THE DELLS IS A PRIMER OF HOW THE MUSIC INDUSTRY OPERATED IN THE 1960'S (AND TODAY ALSO IN SOME INSTANCES) FROM PUTTING WHITE FACES ON THE ALBUM TO INSURE "CROSSOVER" FROM HOODS LIKE "RED" WHO WERE CONNECTED TO ORGANIZED CRIME TO THE GROUP THEMSELVES. TOWNSEND DID A GREAT JOB CASTING THE ACTORS AND GIVES A SENSTIVE PERFOMANCE HIMSELF AS "DUCK". MICHEAL WRIGHT AS EDDIE KANE STEALS THE MOVIE WITH HIS STRONG PERFORMANCE AND LEON IS A CLOSE SECOND AS J.T. WATCHING DIHANN CAROLL AND HAROLD NICOLAS WAS A TREAT, I THOUGHT BLACK MOVIES LIKE THIS WOULD BE THE NORM AFTER SPIKE LEE'S AND TOWNSEND'S BREAKTROUGH IN "HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE "INSTEAD OF MOVIES LIKE "I GOT THE HOOK-UP",OR THE STEPIN FETCHIT LIKE "BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE". THIS MOVIE MEANDERS NEAR THE END BUT THE CHURCH SCENE MAKES UP FOR ALL THE MISTEPS IN THE MIDDLE THIRD. THIS IS GREAT FILM IT WORKS AS A GREAT STORY AND A LESSON ON LOVE, DEDICATION AND FRIENDSHIP.
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: 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 from the Dells. A must-have!
Rating:
Summary: Nights Like This
Review: This movie will make u laugh,cry,be sympathetic and keep u interested.Great soundtrack and an excellent performance by Eddie Kane Jr.It is a must see for music fans who are curious about the way the music industry was back in the 60's.For those who don't know this movie is really actually based on a group called "The Dells".If you don't believe me buy their autobiography.
Rating:
Summary: my Second Favorite Movie
Review: 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 Heartbeats as well. Thinking it was going to be like the Temptations, I went ahead and watched it with high expectations. (Also, it didn't hurt that Leon was also in this movie.)After I finished watching this movie I felt jipped. Honestly, I had expected it to be exactly like the Temptations, only with different characters. But when I thought about it, I realized that this movie had came out about 7 years earlier, and it wasn't ACTUALLY based on any actual musical group. Once I got over this, I realized what a great movie it was. I even cried when Jimmy died, and again when Eddie took a turn for the worst. Even though I don't watch it as much as I watch the Temptations, rest assured that this movie too, is in heavy rotation at my house.
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