The Fighting Temptations (2003)

42% of critics liked it
(106 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(31,903 ratings)

Director Jonathan Lynn followed up the surprise hit The Whole Nine Yards with this musical comedy starring Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Gooding plays Darrin, a shallow New York advertising executive, who travels to a small town in the deep south upon receiving word that his aunt has passed… More Director Jonathan Lynn followed up the surprise hit The Whole Nine Yards with this musical comedy starring Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Gooding plays Darrin, a shallow New York advertising executive, who travels to a small town in the deep south upon receiving word that his aunt has passed away and left him a sizable inheritance. But once Darrin gets into town, he is informed that he will only receive the money if he successfully leads a local gospel group to victory at an upcoming competition. Reluctant but strapped for cash, Darrin takes on the task of finding the best singers in town and shaping the group up. Along the way, he becomes acclimated to the town with the help of his cousin Lucius (Mike Epps) and meets Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), a single mother who not only possesses an incredible voice but also the ability to warm Darrin's cold heart. Along with Knowles, the supporting cast features a number of other real musicians, including Faith Evans, Melba Moore, Angie Stone, Montell Jordan, and The O'Jays. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Jonathan Lynn
Written By: Elizabeth Hunter, Saladin K. Patterson
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 19, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Feb 3, 2004
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
This is an exhilarating musical -- but it's dragged into Thumbs Down territory by a dreadful story that creaks along between the rousing gospel numbers.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
The only real question in this flaccid narrative ... is when everybody will stop talking and start singing again.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
May not be great cinema, but it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Has practically nothing to recommend it save its music: Take that away and Jonathan Lynn's movie is as ordinary as an unsold TV pilot episode. But what music.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The music is glorious.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
A woefully thin and pointless musical comedy.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Great music, mediocre plot and acting.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
The indifferent gospel music that permeates the movie never solidifies with the dramatic might that the genre is known for...
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Down-home, good-natured sense of humor, but a sitcom-ish sentimentality often veering between Sunday sermonizing and silliness.
LaTonya Taylor, Christianity Today
Although there are plenty of positive, feel-good elements to this movie, they are outweighed by missed opportunities to do something more valuable.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...the plot's stupid, the writing's bad, the acting is barely professional, but the movie isn't evil.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
You might think this prodigal would learn to take responsibility for his lies ... or humbly accept the consequences of his crimes and change. Nope.
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
As a romantic comedy...neither exceptional nor groundbreaking. But as a musical, the movie bursts with foot-stomping, arm-swaying, finger-snapping gospel music.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
... With voices such as Beyonce Knowles and Melba Moore in the cast, the music is quite good.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Very light in the extras department, this Fighting Temptations DVD is purely for fans of Beyoncé's booty and you-know-who's latest shrill performance.
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
The Fighting Temptations is a movie that will soften even the most cynical moviegoer. You can see most of it coming a mile away, and it still works.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Down-home, good-natured sense of humor, but a sitcom-ish sentimentality often veering between Sunday sermonizing and silliness.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Good story, bad film.
Fascade F

An incredible movie on how an executive finds himself going in one direction while his lost religious "soul" takes him into another direction. Hilarious at times....enjoyable in others. See this for the soul of it! LOL!
Joseph E

Could've been funnier. Yet, when it comes to Gooding Jr. picking good films, this is simply a wiser choice compared to some of the films he has choosen..not saying any certian films...(SHADOWBOXER)...lol..I didnt say anything...

Cast

            Cuba Gooding Jr. as Darrin Fox

            Beyonce Knowles as Lilly

            Melba Moore as Bessie

            Mike Epps as Lucius

            Shirley Caesar as Rev. Shirley Caesar

            La Tanya Richardson as Paulina Pritchett

            Steve Harvey as Miles the DJ

            Montell Jordan as Eric

            T-Bone as Bee-Z Briggs

            Mickey Jones as Scooter

            Rue McClanahan as Mrs. Stringer

            Wendell Pierce as Reverend Lewis

            Mickey Rooney
            
            Lil' Zane as Jume Bug

            Angie Stone as Alma

            Faith Evans as Maryann Hill

            Dave Sheridan as Corny Dog

            Chloe Bailey as Young Terri

            Eric Nolan Grant as Samuel

            Eddie Levert as Joseph

            L. John Myers as Homer T.

            Ann Nesby as Aunt Sally Walker

            Darrell Vanterpool as Dean

            Nigel Washington as Young Darrin

            Mitchah Williams as Jimmy B.

            Wanda Williams as Lilly

            Walter Williams as Frank
See full cast

The Fighting Temptations (2003)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Fascade F

Joseph E

Cast

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