The Five Heartbeats

The Five Heartbeats (1991)

  • 38% of critics liked it
    (16 reviews)

  • 93% of users liked it
    (18,331 ratings)

Loosely based on the life and times of several R&B artists (The Dells, The Temptations, Frankie Lymon, Sam Cooke and others) The Five Heartbeats traces the rise and fall of a popular African-American 1950s singing aggregation. The story is told from the point of view of one of the "Heartbeats,"… More

R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By
Robert Townsend
Written By
Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend
Genres
Musical & Performing Arts, Drama
In Theaters
Mar 29, 1991 Wide
On DVD
Jan 22, 2002

Critic Reviews

  • Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media

    The rise and fall of a flashy, fictional 1960s rock group.

  • Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com

    The charitable might be tempted to describe The Five Heartbeats as wholesome and well-intentioned -- but so is a 6-year-old who just crayon-scrawled "I love cookies" on the living room wall.

  • Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

    An underrated drama about the ups and downs of a Temptations-like r&b group with solid acting and fine music. If you haven't seen it, rent it. It's worth it.

  • Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

    A once or future 'VH1 movie that rocks.'

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Fascade F


    SOULFULLY delightful...see this the go to "Dreamgirls"... as a follow up...you will...float on a soulful cloud. See it!

Cast

See full cast

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