In the mid-80s, three women (each with an attorney) arrive at the office of New York entertainment manager, Morris Levy. One is an L.A. singer, formerly of the Platters; one is a petty thief from Philly; one teaches school in a small Georgia town. Each claims to be the widow of long-dead doo-wop singer-songwriter Frankie Lyman, and each wants years of royalties due to his estate, money Levy has never shared. During an ensuing civil trial, flashbacks tell the story of each one's life with Lyman, a boyish, high-pitched, dynamic performer, lost to heroin. Slowly, the three wives establish their own bond.
Acting
Tate's uncanny Lymon; Berry, Fox, Rochon's devastating trio.
Direction
Nava's flashback structure builds three complete marriages, one reveal at a time.
Score
Original Lymon recordings woven through—heartbreaking authenticity.
Director
Gregory Nava
Larenz Tate
Frankie Lymon
Halle Berry
Zola Taylor
Vivica A. Fox
Elizabeth 'Mickey' Waters
Lela Rochon
Emira Eagle
Pamela Reed
Judge Lambrey
Clifton Powell
Lawrence Roberts
Paul Mazursky
Morris Levy
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
Young Little Richard
James Gleason
Stage Manager
Ben Vereen
Richard Barrett
Paula Jai Parker
Paula King
Little Richard
Himself
Aries Spears
Redd Foxx
Alexis Cruz
Herman Santiago
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Frankie Lymon died at 25 in 1968; his royalties were tied up for decades as multiple 'widows' emerged. Berry's role as Zola Taylor was her first lead after her real-life abusive marriage—she channeled everything into that bathroom scene.
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