A quintet of hopeful young African American men from an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group become a top flight music sensation. Along the way the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry with its casual racism and greed while the personal weaknesses of the members threaten to destroy the integrity of the band.

After the Screening: An in-person conversation with Robert Townsend, John Terrell, Tico Wells, Leon Robinson, James Hawthorne, Harry Lennix, Michael Wright. Moderated by Loren Hammonds.