The read
Audiences rate it 36 points higher than critics do.
Synopsis
In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Ratings
IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes39%
Audiences rate it 36 points higher than critics do.
75 audience votes
Key crew
- Robert TownsendDirector
- Keenen Ivory WayansWriter
- Robert TownsendWriter
- Stanley ClarkeOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Robert TownsendDuck
- Michael WrightEddie
- LeonJ.T.
- Harry LennixDresser
- Tico WellsChoirboy
- Diahann CarrollEleanor Potter
- Harold NicholasSarge
- John Canada TerrellMichael 'Flash' Turner
- Hawthorne JamesBig Red
- Roy FeganBird
- Troy ByerBaby Doll
- Carla BrothersTanya Sawyer
Stills
Themes
rhythm and blues (r&b)battle of the bands1960s