Why Do Fools Fall in Love

1998, Biography, 1h 55m

58 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

This is a fun comedy with delightful musical numbers. Read critic reviews

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Why Do Fools Fall in Love Photos

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Movie Info

In 1956, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers landed a doo-wop hit with "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" Fame turned to tragedy as lead singer Lymon (Larenz Tate) descended into substance abuse that eventually claimed his life at age 25. But Lymon didn't just leave his fans bereft -- he also left behind three women, and each believes she's owed his song royalties: Platters singer Zola Taylor (Halle Berry), prostitute Elizabeth Waters (Vivica A. Fox) and schoolteacher Emira Eagle (Lela Rochon).
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Biography
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Gregory Nava
  • Producer:
    Stephen Nemeth, Paul Hall
  • Writer:
    Tina Andrews
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $12.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Warner Bros.
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1), 35mm

Cast & Crew

Halle Berry
Zola Taylor
Vivica A. Fox
Elizabeth 'Mickey' Waters
Lela Rochon
Emira Eagle
Larenz Tate
Frankie Lymon
Paul Mazursky
Morris Levy
Little Richard
Self
Pamela Reed
Judge Lambrey
Alexis Cruz
Herman Santiago
David Barry Gray
Peter Markowitz
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
Young Little Richard
Clifton Powell
Lawrence Roberts
Lane Smith
Ezra Grahme
Ben Vereen
Richard Barrett
Paula Jai Parker
Paula King
Marcello Thedford
'Coop', a Drug Dealer
Norris Young
Jimmy
J. August Richards
Sherman
Jon Huertas
Joe Negroni
Gregory Nava
Director
Tina Andrews
Writer
Mark Allan
Executive Producer
Harold Bronson
Executive Producer
Gregory Nava
Executive Producer
Stephen Nemeth
Producer
Paul Hall
Producer
Stephen James Taylor
Original Music
Diane Warren
Original Music
Edward Lachman
Cinematography
Nancy Richardson
Film Editing
Reuben Cannon
Casting
Cary White
Production Design
John Chichester
Art Director
Jackie Carr
Set Decoration
Elisabetta Beraldo
Costume Design
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Why Do Fools Fall in Love

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (28)
Full Review… Keith Phipps AV Club Full Review… Paul Tatara CNN.com Full Review… Todd McCarthy Variety Full Review… Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Full Review… Peter Stack San Francisco Chronicle Full Review… Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Full Review… Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Full Review… Serena Donadoni Metro Times (Detroit, MI) Full Review… Dave McCoy Film Threat Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews Full Review… Scott Weinberg eFilmCritic.com
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
See all Audience reviews

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