Captivating movie !

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The Music, The Story, and the Acting were all equally compelling... This is entertainment at its best! One of the reasons I believe this is a favorite movie of lots of black folks is simply the diversity of the characters. Rarely had we seen an ensemble cast of wonderful, talented, yet flawed black characters that were all people we could look up to for one thing or another. Not to mention the story is one we are all familiar with, as many of the most iconic music groups suffer from these same issues yet none had been brought to the big screen prior to this film.The music being authentic plays the biggest part in the film being a classic. To this day when the songs from this film play they suck you right back in to the mood of the time.

Some people run at the first sight of stormy weather ... But SOME people hold on and work it out together." -- Breakout lyric from the movie's soundtrack.This movie has absolutely everything.It's got comedy of all sorts, yet this movie really isn't a comedy.And it's got compelling moments that'll make you think and make you feel some kinda way about given relatable characters and life circumstances, yet I wouldn't exactly fit this movie into a mold of your typical drama."The Five Heartbeats" is the loosely autobiographical tale of the rise, fall and ultimately triumph in life of a hit five-man R&B group from the 1960s (my father and uncles have an ongoing debate about whether this group's experiences were based upon The Temptations, The Four Tops or The Dells).This movie seems like a real-enough, real life story about how money, fame and stardom can breed distrust, hate, disloyalty and an assortment of shady dealings that could undue any family relationship or close friendship.The story follows five young men who start out as close friends who share a common passion and talent: singing.Of course, they get "discovered" but as they start to and eventually make it big, they discover their moment at the top is filled with tragedy, anger, addictions and deceptions of all kinds -- realities totally different from the starry-eyed images they'd had of "making it big" once upon a time.Overall, this movie is very much uplifting because, while it takes a life time, these five friends eventually overcome the past and learn some invaluable life lessons.This is a movie for families -- the plot and various scenes will be interpreted differently by kids and adults, however, both demographics will be able to relate to this movie's overall theme and message.Fame and fortune are fleeting. Friendships -- good friendships -- are priceless. This is a movie that was out and out ignored by Hollwyood. Easily Robert Townsend's best film and deserving of Academy Award consideration. Awesome acting, brilliant writing and a blazingly inspiring soundtrack. This movie is the complete package. Guaranteed crowd-pleasing movie and one you can watch over and over and over, and not get tired of.Probably one of the best movies I've ever seen

This movie was almost too much like the Committments and That Thing You Do and that wonderful mini series about the Temptations. But is was only "almost". It was wonderful on it's own. Robert Townsend is wonderful. I really came to care about these characters and what was going to happen to them. There was a lot of really good music as well. One wonderful surprise was the singing of the little sister of one of the lead characters. I could not believe her voice! In fact, there was seldom a wrong note. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is that it was really stretching in places for credibility. However, it was really entertaining overall.

Highly recommend this for anyone that has a good night free or with a significant other and a nice bottle of wine. The Soundtrack is great addition as well. All parts were played great no cheesy acting here. This is based on the Dells and shows how they worked together to start and create the group. It shows struggles, family, and friends and the life back in the 50's 60's It closely resembled the Detroit era and the small growing record company's as well. Very well laid out and scripted perfectly. Robert Townsend played a very good role in this movie as did the other actors. If you want to see Harmony's, Dance moves of the 50's and 60's this is the movie to see as there are very few like it. There is a Temptations movie out too that is just as good showing the bands problems and change of lead singers.