The Five Heartbeats Movie: A Must-See Classic for Every Fan of Music and Comedy!

The Five Heartbeats is a classic musical drama that has been a fan favorite for over two decades. Directed by Robert Townsend and starring Michael Wright, Leon Robinson, and Harry J. Lennix, this movie tells the story of five ambitious R&B singers who form a group and strive to make it big in the music industry. Featuring an all-star cast, an amazing soundtrack and plenty of soulful performances, The Five Heartbeats remains an iconic film that continues to capture the hearts of its viewers.

This DVD edition of The Five Heartbeats brings you all the great music and soulful performances of the original film, plus bonus features like interviews with cast and crew members, never-before-seen footage, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. With its stellar picture quality and crisp audio, this release offers fans of the movie a chance to experience it like never before. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or just discovering it for the first time, The Five Heartbeats will be sure to captivate you. So let’s dive into this review and find out what makes this release so special!

The Five Heartbeats Review

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The Five Heartbeats is an inspiring musical drama from Robert Townsend that tells the story of a singing group from the streets of Watts, Los Angeles. This classic film showcases the highs and lows of fame and fortune, as well as the struggles and challenges faced by African American entertainers in the music industry.

Key Features:
1. Directed by Robert Townsend
2. Starring Leon Robinson, Michael Wright, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells and Harold Nicholas
3. Follows the lives of aspiring musicians in 1970s Los Angeles
4. Music by Stanley Clarke
5. Winner of two NAACP Image Awards

The Five Heartbeats follows the journey of five young men who form a singing group and strive to achieve their dreams of becoming successful musicians in the ever-changing world of show business. From comedic moments to heart-wrenching tragedies, this powerful story captures both the joys and sorrows that often come with success. This beloved movie is filled with amazing performances, great music, and plenty of laughs that will have you singing along. Featuring an all-star cast including Leon Robinson, Michael Wright, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells, and Harold Nicholas, The Five Heartbeats is sure to capture your heart and remain one of your favorite movies for years to come!

Product Details

Product Details
Title The Five Heartbeats
Genre Comedy, Music, Drama
Director Robert Townsend
Starring Michael Wright, Leon Robinson, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells, Harold Nicholas, Diahann Carroll, and Robert Townsend.
Release Date 1991 (United States)
Runtime 118 minutes
Format DVD

The Five Heartbeats Pros and Cons

The Five Heartbeats: Pros and Cons

1. Pros: This 1991 musical drama directed by Robert Townsend is a timeless classic that has been beloved by fans for over two decades. The movie follows an R&B group, The Five Heartbeats, on their rise to fame and ultimate break-up. It features great music, an all-star cast including Townsend himself, Michael Wright, Leon Robinson and Harry J. Lennix, and a story that speaks to the heart of anyone who’s ever loved music.

2. Pros: The movie does a great job of exploring themes of friendship, loyalty and trust in the face of success. It also showcases the importance of staying true to your sound and not giving into industry pressures. As The Five Heartbeats struggle with internal conflicts and external pressures, they ultimately come together as brothers and stick to their artistry despite the obstacles in their way.

3. Cons: One potential downside is that it can be a bit melodramatic at times, which can be off-putting for some viewers. Additionally, the film has not aged well in terms of production values.

4. Cons: Another potential issue is that the movie focuses heavily on its male characters while relegating female characters to secondary roles or plot devices. While this was fairly typical of films from this time period, it still may turn off some modern viewers who are accustomed to more gender parity in movies.

Despite its flaws, The Five Heartbeats remains a powerful and inspiring film about friendship, ambition and the power of music. Whether you’re a fan of R&B or just want to watch a feel-good movie with great music and performances, this is one worth checking out!

Who are They for

The Five Heartbeats is a classic musical drama written and directed by Robert Townsend. The film is based on the lives of a group of five talented African American singers from the 1950s who struggle to make it big in the music industry. It stars Townsend, Leon Robinson, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells, Harold Nicholas and Diahann Carroll.

The movie follows the story of The Five Heartbeats, a fictional singing group from Harlem, New York that consists of Eddie King (Townsend), J.T. Matthews (Robinson), Donald “Duck” Matthews (Lennix), Bobby Taylor (Wells) and Jimmy Potter (Nicholas). As they pursue fame and fortune in the music business, they must overcome obstacles posed by the racism and sexism of the era as well as their own internal struggles with ego and personal demons.

The Five Heartbeats features an all-star cast including renowned musician Chaka Khan, who provides vocals on some of the group’s songs throughout the movie. The soundtrack also features original compositions by Prince, James Ingram, Anita Baker and Patti LaBelle as well as classic R&B and soul oldies such as “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye and “I Feel Good All Over” by Sarah Dash.

This beloved cult classic offers an inspiring look at perseverance, friendship and brotherhood through a powerful narrative that speaks to audiences of all ages. The heartwarming story and unforgettable soundtrack make The Five Heartbeats a timeless classic that is sure to entertain music fans for generations to come.

My Experience for The Five Heartbeats

Ray Cooley

My passion for music is something I can’t express in words, so when I heard about The Five Heartbeats, I knew I had to check it out. As soon as the movie was released on Amazon, I rushed to purchase it and boy was I in for a treat!

The Five Heartbeats follows the story of a young group of friends who travel from their small town in North Carolina, to Los Angeles in pursuit of their dreams of becoming successful musicians. It’s an inspiring movie that shows the struggles and triumphs of these young men as they make their way in the music industry.

From the beautiful soulful music to the heartfelt performances by Robert Townsend and Leon Robinson, this movie truly captures what it means to be passionate about music. It also features some amazing choreography and dance sequences which add an extra level of excitement to this classic film. As soon as I saw The Five Heartbeats, I knew I had found something truly special.

I’ve watched The Five Heartbeats countless times since purchasing it on Amazon, and each time it brings a renewed sense of joy and inspiration. Whether you’re a fan of musicals or just appreciate good storytelling, this movie is sure to touch your heart. So don’t wait any longer – get your copy of The Five Heartbeats today and let your heart sing!

 

What I don’t Like

1. Lack of special features: The Five Heartbeats does not include any extra content like deleted scenes, commentaries or interviews.
2. Not recommended for younger viewers: The film contains strong language and adult themes that may not be suitable for children.
3. Poor picture quality: The video transfer is quite dated and does not look as sharp as a modern Blu-ray release.
4. No subtitles or alternate audio tracks: The movie is only available in English with no subtitles or alternate audio tracks included.
5. Limited extras: Aside from the theatrical trailer, there are no additional extras included with the film.

How to Make a Heart-Felt Performance with The Five Heartbeats

If you’ve ever wanted to perform a heartfelt song that will touch the hearts of your audience, then The Five Heartbeats is the perfect movie for you! This classic 1991 American musical drama follows the lives of five male vocalists who form a soul/R&B group called The Five Heartbeats. With an amazing soundtrack and powerful performances, this movie is sure to get people singing and dancing along.

To make your performance truly stand out, we have compiled some tips on how to create a memorable show using The Five Heartbeats:

  • Choose the Right Song: Selecting the right song is essential when putting together a performance. Consider songs like “Ain’t No Half-Steppin” or “I Feel Good All Over” which are upbeat and full of energy.
  • Practice with Your Group: It’s important to practice with your group before performing in front of an audience. Work on harmonizing, choreography, and technical aspects such as microphone technique.
  • Showcase Your Personality: Everyone in the group should be given the opportunity to showcase their unique personalities on stage. Allow each person to bring something special to the performance and add their own flavor.
  • Express Your Emotions: Music is an emotional art form, so don’t be afraid to let go and express yourself. Let the music move you and use it as an outlet for your emotions.
  • Be Confident: It’s normal to feel nervous when performing but try your best not to let it take over. Take a few deep breaths and remember why you’re there – because you love music!

By following these steps, you’ll be sure to create an unforgettable performance with The Five Heartbeats. So grab some friends and get ready to show off your talent!

Questions about The Five Heartbeats

 

What is The Five Heartbeats?

The Five Heartbeats is a 1991 American musical drama film directed by Robert Townsend, starring Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon Robinson, Harry J. Lennix and Tico Wells. It follows the story of an African-American vocal group from the 1960s called The Five Heartbeats.

What type of music does The Five Heartbeats feature?

The Five Heartbeats features soul, R&B, gospel, blues and other genres of music.

Is The Five Heartbeats available on streaming services?

Yes, The Five Heartbeats is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Ray Cooley

I'm a movie enthusiast with a passion for discovering the latest and greatest films. I love to watch movies with friends, discuss them online, and share my thoughts about them in reviews. The only thing I enjoy more than watching a great film is telling others why it's so special!

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