The Fighting Temptations

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The Fighting Temptations
Directed by	Jonathan Lynn
Produced by	MTV Films
Written by	Elizabeth Hunter Saladin K. Patterson
Starring	Cuba Gooding Jr. Beyoncé Knowles
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	September 19, 2003
Running time	123 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

The Fighting Temptations is a 2003 comedy film produced by Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. It stars Cuba Gooding Jr. and singer Beyonce Knowles as they attempt to revive a town's choir traditions in a modern society. Rated: PG-13

Contents 1 Plot summary 2 Reception 3 Cameo apperances 4 Awards/Nominations 5 Trivia

[edit] Plot summary

New York City advertising executive Darrin Hill (played by Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is about to land a big account, has his life turned upside down when it's revealed that he has lied about having a college degree. After being fired, his life is further shaken by being unable to repay his debts. Now on the run, he is called back to his southern town roots when his aunt dies. At the reading of the will, he learns he has been asked to assume the mantle of choir director of his aunt's home church and if he can get the choir in the Gospel Explosion in Columbus, GA, he will inherit stock worth $150,000. Unfortunately the choir is not in very good shape and he has to start recruiting townsfolk, not all of whom are interested. He also finds himself competing with one of his mother's friends and sister of the town preacher Paulina Pritchett (played by LaTanya Richardson) who is secretly scheming to take over the choir herself and has a grudge against Darrin's mother for not staying true to her church roots and singing "secular" music. Among others, he gets three prisoners to join but his biggest coup is recruiting secular singer Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles) who sings at one of the local night clubs as his mother did, to join; he also starts courting her. While Hill's efforts are initially scorned and resisted, he and Lilly eventually whip the ragtag crew into shape and win the Explosion-and each other's hearts.

[edit] Reception

The movie was a moderate success, with a worldwide gross of US$32,445,215. Critics panned Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance and thought Knowles' performance was slightly underacted.

[edit] Cameo apperances

The movie has cameos from some of today's most talented and respected names in the music and acting industry, including comedian Steve Harvey as the town DJ, Faith Evans (appearing in a dream as Darrin's mother), Shirley Caesar, Ann Nesby, Eddie Levert & Walter Williams from the O'Jays, Rue McClanahan (from The Golden Girls), Mike Epps, Lou Myers, and singers Montell Jordan, Bilal, Melba Moore, Angie Stone, Lil Zane and T-Bone. The Mississippi Mass Choir was scheduled to appear in the film, but dropped out after disagreements with the choir's manager.

[edit] Awards/Nominations

• Black Reel Awards
  • Best Actor: (Cuba Gooding Jr.) Nominated
  • Best Actress: (Beyonce Knowles) Nominated
  • Best Screenplay Original or Adapted: (Elizabeth Hunter & Saladin K. Patterson) Nominated
  • Best Film: Nominated
  • Best Film Soundtrack: Winner
  • Best Film Song: "He Still Loves Me" (Beyonce Knowles & Walter Williams Sr.) Winner

• Image Awards
  • Outstanding Motion Picture: Winner
  • Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: (Beyonce Knowles) Nominated

• Golden Raspberry Awards
  • Worst Actor: (Cuba Gooding Jr.) Nominated

[edit] Trivia

• A song with the same name was made and released on The Fighting Temptations Soundtrack. It was performed by Beyoncé, Free, Missy Elliot, and MC Lyte.