In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Acting
Michael Wright's Eddie is a live wire of ego and pain.
Costume
Sequins, suits, and sorrow—period perfection.
Director
Robert Townsend
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Robert Townsend financed this with credit cards and Hollywood Shuffle profits after every studio passed.
Loosely based on The Dells, whose lead singer Marvin Junior consulted; the 'fake' songs became actual R&B radio staples.
US
