Why Do Fools Fall In Love

1998

Why Do Fools Fall In Love

Critics Consensus

This is a fun comedy with delightful musical numbers.

52%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 58

76%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 8,811
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Movie Info

Gregory Nava directed this biographical drama on the brief but intense life of singer Frankie Lymon who stayed with the popular Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers group only for a year. Lymon was 13 years old when the group erupted from radios and jukeboxes with their 1956 hit, Why Do Fools Fall in Love? and appeared in the movie Rock, Rock, Rock (1956). After Mr. Rock and Roll (1957), Lymon turned solo, but then it all fell to pieces. Lymon's career was over by the time he was 18, and he died of a heroin overdose eight years later. Jumping from the '50s to the '80s, this film traces the rise and fall of Lymon (Larenz Tate) in a series of flashbacks as courtroom claims on Lymon's royalties are outlined by three women: Zola Taylor (Halle Berry) of the Platters R&B group; Elizabeth Waters (Vivica A. Fox), who turned prostitute to cover costs of Lymon's recovery from addiction; and schoolteacher Emira Eagle (Lela Rochon). Little Richard also makes a courtroom appearance, while Miguel A. Nunez Jr. portrays Little Richard in scenes set in the '50s. Shown at the 1998 Urbanworld Film Festival (NY). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Cast

Halle Berry
as Zola Taylor
Vivica A. Fox
as Elizabeth Waters
Lela Rochon
as Emira Eagle
Larenze Tate
Larenz Tate
as Frankie Lymon
Little Richard
as Himself
Paul Mazursky
as Morris Levy
Pamela Reed
as Judge Lambrey
Alexis Cruz
as Herman Santiago
David Barry Gray
as Peter Markowitz
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
as Young Little Richard
Clifton Powell
as Lawrence Roberts
Ben Vereen
as Richard Barrett
J. August Richards
as Sherman
Jon Huertas
as Joe
Norris Young
as Jimmy
Marcello Thedford
as Coop
Lane Smith
as Ezra Grahme
Paula Jai Parker
as Paula King
Marcello Tedford
as Coop
Aries Spears
as Redd Foxx
Craig Kirkwood
as Eddie Williams
Lucille M. Oliver
as Linda
Alex Thomas Jr.
as Jimmy Mac
Mary-Pat Green
as Guard
Carlease Burke
as Guard
Erik Dahlberg
as Guard
Ray Laska
as Bailiff
Renee Raudman
as Waitress
Frankie Jay Allison
as Undercover Cop
Raymond O'Keefe
as Desk Sergeant
Cerita Monet Bickelmann
as Laura
Loretta Fox
as Pam
Darrell Eisman
as Control Room Worker
Sam Mountain
as Control Room Worker
Ric Borelli
as Control Room Worker
Douglas Seagraves
as Control Room Worker
Mark Paulk
as Platter
Martin Paulk
as Platter
Ron Jaxson
as Platter
Gary L. Neal
as Platter
Yorgo Constantine
as Announcer
Shirley Caesar
as Herself
James Gleason
as Stage Manager
Brandon D. Morgan
as Young Singer in Church Choir
Charles Walker
as Driver
Kevin Fry
as MP
Ray Proscia
as Security Man
Keith Amos
as Man in Hot Tub
J.W. Smith
as Postman
Shashawnee Hall
as Preacher
Shari Albert
as Mossis Secretary
John West
as Singer
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Critic Reviews for Why Do Fools Fall In Love

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (28)

View All Critic Reviews (58)

Audience Reviews for Why Do Fools Fall In Love

  • Aug 29, 2011
    Based on a true story: Frankie Lyman (Why do fools fall in love).
    Sean G Super Reviewer
  • May 30, 2007
    The first hour or so ranks as favorite movie material. It's enormously entertaining and a fresh spin on standard biopic: Diana Ross's cover of Why Do Fools Fall in Love spawns a court case where three women claim the rights to the song as Frankie Liman's wife. My favorite sequence is an infectious Larenz Tate singing (well, lip synching) to Goodie Goodie! But the movie sort of falls apart at the end. Oh, well. Focus on the positive!
    Joey N Super Reviewer
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