Customer Reviews

The Five Heartbeats [VHS]

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

"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.

Perhaps the most recommended movie pitch I'll ever make on Amazon for one film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guaranteed crowd-pleasing movie and one you can watch over and over and over, and not get tired of.

This is one of my all time favorite movies. It reveals the real life joys, struggles, and sorrows experienced by black music artists of the 60's era. This movie is a treat and monument to American music. It can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and nationalities. The Five Heartbeats tapped into my emotional highway. This movie is a classic. I only wish this movie would have recieved the publicity it deserved while it was playing at a theatre near you. Thank you Mr. Robert Townsend for a job well done!

Why? Because if you're here, you probably already saw the movie and are just curious about this release version. So I'll tell you about it.

First, the good:

- Comes with the official movie soundtrack. I mean the FULL soundtrack, it's a separate disc.

- Video transfer is done a lot better than the original DVD release.

- Case is designed a lot more appealing than the standard black and blue.

- Audio is better encoded and easier to hear at lower volumes.

- Lots of extras, including some fluff, but hey.

- Better aspect ratio, as the picture fills widescreen displays more evenly without stretching.

Now, the bad:

- The soundtrack...it's so irritating to listen to, because they managed to do the true movie version of "Nothing But Love" and some other songs, fresh from the movie, but yet "Nights Like This" is that After 7 version. I don't mind the After 7 version, it's not bad, but I wanted to hear the movie version. This is especially troublesome when they even managed to do that Byrd song fresh from the movie.

- Some of the footage that never made it in the movie SHOULD have. Like the scene where Duck is explaining that all of the members can sing all different levels. It would explain a later scene when Choirboy offers to sing in Eddie's place - when I watched the first version I was confused. A soprano singing a baritone's parts? Also, there were some slight comedy pieces in there that should have been included.

- Some of the extras are just flat out pointless - or if they wanted to include them at least include the characters people cared about. There's one extra where the actors in kayfabe are giving their thoughts before accepting 'awards'. Totally corny, but it might have been entertaining if Eddie Kang Jr. and JT were there. There's only 3 of the five present.

- General movie negative...they never did explain what happened to Bobby, from the beginning of the movie. I was hoping for a deleted scene that would explain this, but alas...

So, would I recommend getting this? Absolutely, because I can almost guarantee it won't be released on HD-DVD or Bluray.

"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).

Reportedly, back in 1991, Robert Townsend said that the script, co-written by himself and Keenen Ivory Wayans, wasn't about any one group in particular, but the trials and tribulations of various black vocal groups of the 1960s. Watching this movie made me think of actual situations that happened to different soul music acts in those days, and even as recent as New Edition, Jodeci and Boyz II Men, so Townsend accomplished his goal successfully. The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the bonds of friendship, egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, drug abuse and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless and unforgiving the recording industry can be. "The Five Heartbeats" even touches upon how black music was ripped off by greedy industry executives and given to white acts to cover, therefore, "whitewashing" it for acceptance by white radio listeners and record buyers. This is a movie that weaves comedy, drama, romance, and music together into a singular treat for the eyes and ears.

I have a couple of beefs, though: Why are we hearing Delfonics hits from 1969 and 1970 in scenes that are supposed to be taking place in 1965?! Plus the use of synthesizers weren't really in vogue outside of the studio in 1972, yet you see Robert Townsend's character using one on stage in a scene that is supposed to be happening in that year. Someone should have done more musical research! Also, Robert does a wonderful job directing this film, but he leaves much to be desired as an actor. But those things can be overlooked in light of everything else about this movie.

With strong performances from Michael Wright (who is truly exceptional as the troubled lead singer Eddie King, Jr. and the REAL star of this movie), Leon, and Hawthorne James as the villainous Big Red, this film deserves your attention and that of anyone who is a fan of classic soul, the Motown sound, and music PERIOD! Also included in the cast are a couple of Hollywood legends - the beautiful and classy Diahann Carroll and tap dancer extraordinaire Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. The story is real and the acting was great. Who can forget Eddie Kang Jr. This movie will make you laugh..remember when Flash accepeted his award and said he was leaving the group..he said "this is a sad day becuase these guys treated me like a brother but I'm leaving the group..look for my new solo album in stores in two weeks titled..."Flash, it's lonely at the top"..that was funny..the movie can also make you cry ..remember Eddie Kang singing..."Nights like this i wish..that rain drops would fall"......the movie is classic

This is a fine movie about the rise, and fall, of some of the super black rock groups in the 60s and 70s. It also shows, but kind of over-simplifies (I hope) how the white,squeaky clean groups covered a lot of the material and made out with big bucks. I will always remember one of the early scenes where Michael Wright's character Eddie, the lead singer of the Heartbeats, barely escapes a violent card game and comes running and sliding on stage to join the Heartbeats in an on-stage competition. But there could have been a lot more music and a little less sub-plot ---sex, racist Southern cops, etc. And the final scene----why on earth couldn't the movie show the members actually singing once again when they got together? But it is a great effort and you will enjoy it. I love the music so, that I wanted this movie to tell it all. But it told a lot.

This is a wonderful look at the soul music business back in the day. I'm sure that many of the old groups can relate to the struggle of a young group just starting out in the business. All in all, this is a very good effort by Robert Townsend. The script and story have their respective weaknesses but can be readily forgiven. The music in the film has the "old" sound of the 50's and 60's but it was written for the film.

The Five Heartbeats were made up of actors which I am grateful for since all singers don't make good actors. The weakest actor is Townsend himself because he is basically a funnyman but he has done some credible work (A Soldiers Story for instance). While the music was great to listen to, the lip syncing left a little to be desired. The costuming is dead on. Except for the murder of the group's manager in the film, it would seem that the circumstances that the group had to endure were fairly authentic. The crummy hotels, traveling the chitlin circut, racial predjudice, sex, the fights and breakups, unscrupulous record companies, rivalry with the other struggling groups, etc., are all things that artists go through even today.

Dianne Caroll is a pleasant sight to see as the managers wife. At first she resists her husbands desire to manage The Five Heartbeats because every time one of his groups made it to the big time they would drop him as their manager. She does finally give in and as the group gains more and more success they remain loyal to their manager until one person defects and goes astray which causes dire consequences.

The overall story is good. There are a few side stories which may cause some distraction. Some don't feel the need to know about the love lives of the group members. Maybe you'll feel differently. I reccomend this film. It is definately worth watching.

Although it is a work of fiction, it closely resembles the story of the Temptations. It was superb! The music was awesome. The story line tight. The acting was outstanding. I would highly recommend to everyone. Definitely a must have in your movie collection!

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.

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.