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The Fighting Temptations (2003) Certificate PG

The Fighting Temptations

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Rated 3.0 stars
Average rating
(63%)
 
Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr. | Beyonce Knowles | Wanda Williams | Mike Epps | Latanya Richardson | Angie Stone
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Studio: PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 117 mins
Genres: Comedy | Romance
Languages: English
Released: April 02, 2004
Also available on:

As a young boy growing up in Montecarlo, Georgia, Darrin sings in the church choir alongside his mother (Faith Evans). He and his mum leave town after the choir discovers that she has been singing rhythm and blues in a local club. Twenty years later, Darrin (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is a broke, junior-level advertising executive in New York City who has just been fired. Summoned back to Montecarlo when his only living relative dies, Darrin discovers that he stands to inherit her estate if he can revive the choir at his old church and win the annual Gospel Explosion. Against the odds, Darrin assembles a first-rate choir of talented quirky characters. He also recruits Lilly (Beyonce Knowles), a jazz singer and single mother who just may steal his heart and help him find himself. Rich with impressive musical talent culled from the worlds of gospel, hip-hop, and R&B, the choir includes members of The O'Jays, as well as T-Bone, Melba Moore, Angie Stone, the Reverend Shirley Caesar, Zane, and Montell Jordan. Directed by Jonathan Lynn, the film also stars LaTanya Richardson, Steve Harvey, Wendell Pierce, Mike Epps, and Rue McClanahan.

Rating of 2 stars out of 5
Radio Times

It's hard to believe the co-creator of Yes, Minister was the optimum choice for this comedy about a Deep South gospel choir. Yet even if Jonathan Lynn is au fait with the milieu, he's rarely in control of the tone or pacing of this messy amalgam of African-American social attitudes and musical tastes. Cuba Gooding Jr clowns to excess as the cynical ad executive determined to galvanise the choristers at his aunt's church in order to inherit her fortune. But the diverse singing styles of Melba Moore, T-Bone and Beyoncé Knowles, and a feisty turn from LaTanya Richardson, provide some compensation.

Highest rated reviews

13 out of 15 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Worth a look

Miles Orchard from Cardiff, 18th February, 2004

I wasn't quite sure if I was going to like this film or not but I did. The film is a little over 2 hours long but certainly didn't feel like it. For me, you don't see or hear enough Beyonce singing in the church or solo.

Music - Tracks include Beyonce's 'Fever' and believe it or not 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' - never knew Beyonce liked rugby!

T-Bone raps in the film on the 'Down by the riverside' track, again an interesting variation on a theme.

The movie I would say is fairly predictable (although there are a couple of twists!), there's the resident evil person that appears in any moralistic family film and cuba Gooding who really seemed to get into the roll - you'll see what I mean later in the film!

I would recommend this movie - a good feeling movie with an interesting music soundtrack.

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6 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars

VINBABY#1 from LONDON, 25th May, 2004

IT WAS GREAT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE ANOTHER SISTER ACT BUT IT SURPRISED ME.
THE MUSIC WAS FANTASTIC, I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE SINGERS
ESPECIALLY MELBA MOORE. HER VOICE WAS QUALITY.
I AM NOW GOING OUT TO BY THE SOUNDTRACK, I LIKED IT SO MUCH.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 5 stars
Sing along, dance along, laugh along

Kentcrew from from Grays, 18th July, 2005

I rated this movie a 7. It is not so much the storyline as that was fairly predictable. It is due to:

a) what I would describe as the "happiness factor" this movie gave me and my friends as we watched it;

b) the cast - I mean Cuba Gooding, Beyonce, Angie Stone, Faith Evans, Montell Jordan - what more would one want in a romantic comedy with a touch of gospel and R'n'B?

c) the soundtrack - It was really good and the audience would easily get into it.

By the end of the film we were sweaty from dancing (we danced for over half of the film) and laughing as the funny parts were truly funny.

There was also a teeny weeny twist towards the end.

I highly recommend this movie.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Inspiring!

Laura Kent from Coventry, England, 4th April, 2005

Well what can I say, this film captivated and inspired. All singing all dancing! well not quite dancing, but very exciting to watch...the choir were real and engimatic, top that with comedy and a little romance, what more could you ask for in a film. Beyonce was much more than I expected, I thought this may be another 'look at me' type film that singers sometimes do...but no, she portrayed her very character well. Cuba Gooding jr displayed excitement and a certain freshness which worked well alongside Beyonce. I would thoroughly recommend this film for those who love music and the 'sister act' feel good factor!

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Most recent reviews

Rated 5 stars
the fighting temptations

A Customer from High Wycombe, 25th August, 2008

Brillient film. well worth watching. the whole family enjoyed it. I might be tempted to buy this one.

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Rated 4 stars
great

A Customer from Salisbury, 27th July, 2008

chilled out enjoyment. Plenty of laughs, excellent singing. The romance is just the icing on the cake. Excellent fun

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Rated 5 stars
Excellent Gospel Music

A Customer from Hertfordshire, 18th October, 2006

Me & my girls loved watching this one! We now know the words to all of the songs. Cuba & Beyonce did a fairly good acting job too. The last 2 songs are brilliant!

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Rated 4 stars
Excellent

Gillos from UK, 16th May, 2006

The scenario is nothing great and I would say a bit standard, but the music in this movie is inspiring and reminds me a bit of the classic blues brothers film. Definitely worth seeing, even if it's just for the music.

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