The Five Heartbeats (1991)

TOMATOMETER

35%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

95%

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Movie Info

This tuneful drama looks back upon the career of a fictional rhythm & blues group and chronicles their rise and fall. Filmmaker Robert Townsend based much of his plot on the true stories and experiences from several popular '60s soul groups including the Temptations and the Dells.

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Cast

Robert Townsend
as Duck
Michael Wright
as Eddie
Tico Wells
as Choirboy
Leon
as J.T.
Harry Lennix
as Dresser
Diahann Carroll
as Eleanor Potter
Harold Nicholas
as Sarge
The Nicholas Brothers
as Ernest 'Sarge' Johnson
Tressa Thomas
as Duck's Baby Sister
John Canada Terrell
as Michael `Flash' Turner
Chuck Patterson
as Jimmy Potter
Hawthorne James
as Big Red
Roy Fegan
as Bird
Troy Beyer
as Baby Doll
Carla Brothers
as Tanya Sawyer
Deborah Lacey
as Rose
Theresa Randle
as Brenda
John Witherspoon
as Wild Rudy
Anne-Marie Johnson
as Sydney Todd
Randy Harris
as Big Red's Guy
Lisa Mende
as Marcia Sayles
Bobby McGee
as Leon
Don Barnes
as Lester
O.L. Duke
as Monroe
Lamont Johnson
as Bobby Cassanova
Arnold Johnson
as Mr. Matthews
Tommy Townsend
as Matthew's Kid
Veronica Redd
as Mrs. Matthews
David McKnight
as Pastor Stone
Phyllis Applegate
as Myra Stone
Virginia Watson
Paul Benjamin
as Mr. King
Marilyn Coleman
as Mrs. King
Norma Donaldson
as Mrs. Sawyer
Harris Peet
as Phil Shumway
Kasi Lemmons
as Cookie
Monique Mannen
as Sandra Tillman
Suzanne Suter
as Member of The Crystals
Gigi Bolden
as Member of The Crystals
Kathleen Mitchell
as Member of The Crystals
Ron Jaxson
as Member of The Ebony Sparks
Recoe Walker
as Member of The Ebony Sparks
Wayne "Crescendo" Ward
as Member of The Ebony Sparks
Gregory "Popeye" Alexander
as Midnight Falcon
Bob Mardis
as Member of The Midnight Falcons
Jimmy Woodard
as Member of The Midnight Falcons
Brian Bradley
as Member of The Five Horsemen
Mike Conn
as Member of The Five Horsemen
Barry Diamond
as Member of The Five Horsemen
Carl Edwards
as Member of The Five Horsemen
Joey Gaynor
as Member of The Five Horsemen
Roger Rose
as Member of The Five Horsemen
James Anderson
as Member of Big Red's Guys
Freddie Asparagus
as Member of Big Red's Guys
Randy 'Roughhouse' Harris
as Member of Big Red's Guys
Al Simon
as Member of Big Red's Guys
Tammy Townsend
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Shannon Chambers
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Devin C. Huff
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Lakisha Luke
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Jeannel Phillips White
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Kamar Phillips White
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Fred Asparagus
as Big Red's Guy
Brandon Wright
as Member of Matthew's Kids
Christopher Bradley
as Theatre Security Man
Aaron J. Galang
as Theatre Security Man
Harry Stanback
as Speakeasy Guy
Tiffanique Webb
as Speakeasy Girl
Timmie Rogers
as Buddy Lewis
Craig Eisner
as Jimmy's Doorman
Tommy Redmond Hicks
as Pastor Blake
David Drummond
as Policeman
Griff Ruggles
as Policeman
Joel Weiss
as St. George Hotel Doorman
Regina McLeod
as Jackie
Shanel Cason
as J.T.'s Little Girl
Jimmy Jackson
as Little Duck
Alexis Johnson
as Little Girl
John Pittman
as Hitman
Vince Isaac
as Hitman
Ron Smith
as Poker Player
Vincent J. Isaac
as Hitman
Frank Fontaine
as Poker Player
Donnie Simpson
as Himself
Eugene Robert Glazer
as David Green
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Critic Reviews for The Five Heartbeats

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (3)

Robert Townsend co-wrote, directed and stars in the film, one whose sincerity does a lot to cover the amateurishness with which the film was made.

Aug 16, 2017 | Full Review…
Baltimore Sun

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

Feb 22, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Common Sense Media

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.

Feb 5, 2006 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
DVDTalk.com

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.

Oct 19, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A once or future 'VH1 movie that rocks.'

Mar 1, 2002 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…
Film Freak Central
View All Critic Reviews (17)

Audience Reviews for The Five Heartbeats

½

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

Fascade Fiveoneeight
Fascade Fiveoneeight

Super Reviewer

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The Five Heartbeats Quotes

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