Movie chronicles the rise and fall of a black group named the Five Hartbeats. They're played by Robert Townsend (who also wrote, directed and produced the movie), Michael Wright, Leon, Harry Lennix and Tico Wells. It follows them from 1965 to 1972 dealing with their problems with women, parents, other bands, drugs and money. Also the movie doesn't soft pedal the racism that black groups had to deal with in the 1960s.The story lines are very predictable--I saw every one coming--but the movie is very quick-moving and the acting, directing and music keep you watching. In fact there are TOO many story lines going on--the second half of the movie becomes a little disjointed with multiple stories going full force. Also Michael Wright's acting was way too over the top--he quickly got annoying.However all the other acting was good and the songs and dancing were incredible. Also it's nice to Diahann Carroll in a small role. This movie came and went very quickly in 1992 (the studio had no idea on how to market it) but it's a very good movie. Worth catching.

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.

This was one of the cleanest movies I have seen in a long time. It just goes to show you, it doesn't take boobs and exploited sex to enjoy a movie. And I just love how to DUCK forgave his brother JT for the ultimate sin. It was an outstanding movie I rate this movie 10000000000! The way the movie was portrayed you wouldn't have guessed it was fictitious. But if you think about it it's portraying a signing group from the 60's that went through so many trails and tests. One of the biggest test to me they had to go thourgh was letting their best friend Eddie go after all they been through together as a group. they thought it was no hope for Eddie it was amazing how Eddie changed his life after hitting rock bottom.

Only someone foolish or not of the African-American persuasion would say that black artists did not experience racism in the 60's, when black artist still experience racism today. And, the attempt to masquerade white artists while using black voices is not so outlandish. The recording industry, the music industry, and the marketing industry are three completely different animals. Music, recording, and marketing can be combined to create a synergy that is altogether real or on the other hand you have Milli-Vanilli. If it was done in the 90's I am quite sure it was practiced in earlier years. Everyone that is in business is in business to make money and while there is making music and recording music, it all boils down to money. Marketing - optimizing profits by directing sales toward the market that has the potential to generate the highest earnings. The ideal of a sell out was popularized with the advent of the Hip-hop culture, before that time it was about money and money only, not being accepted into a culture that lauded "KEEPING IT REAL".