Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Gregory Nava

Writer:

Tina Andrews

Stars:

Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Halle Berry	...	Zola Taylor
Vivica A. Fox	...	Elizabeth 'Mickey' Waters
Lela Rochon	...	Emira Eagle
Larenz Tate	...	Frankie Lymon
Paul Mazursky	...	Morris Levy
Pamela Reed	...	Judge Lambrey
Alexis Cruz	...	Herman Santiago
David Barry Gray	...	Peter Markowitz
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.	...	Young Little Richard (as Miguel A. Nunez Jr.)
Clifton Powell	...	Lawrence Roberts
Lane Smith	...	Ezra Grahme
Ben Vereen	...	Richard Barrett
Paula Jai Parker	...	Paula King
Marcello Thedford	...	Drug Dealer
Norris Young	...	Jimmy

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | widow | attorney | doo wop | money | 

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Taglines:

The story of three very different women.....with one husband in common.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

A tres bandas

Filming Locations:

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$3,946,382 (USA) (28 August 1998)

Gross:

$12,413,650 (USA) (30 October 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rhino Films, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Toni Braxton was set for a role in the film, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.

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Goofs

When Mickey is telling her story about how she met Frankie, she attended a concert in which Frankie was to perform. When Frankie is out on stage singing, the microphone switches positions from the middle of the stage on a black square, to the middle of the stage on a white square, and then to the front of the stage on a white square.

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Quotes

Frankie Lymon: How come you keep stepping on my heart?
Zola Taylor: You prefer I pee on it? That's what's going to happen if you don't let me off this bus.

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Connections

Features Hullabaloo (1965)

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Soundtracks

"Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)"
Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

User Reviews

Great music, adequate characterizations

I enjoyed a lot of this movie but I would have liked a tad more insight into the life of Frankie Lyman. In one scene, he talks about his abusive father, but other than that, there was little revealed about him. I understand it was mostly from his wives point-of-view, but it have helped the story along. In addition, you couldn't tell which of the wives was spinning a tale in order to get a larger settlement.

The large cast was very talented and I especially appreciated that the make-up on the three women was not overdone to make them age. All in all, I enjoyed it very much, but it could have been much better.