The Fighting Temptations is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, written by Elizabeth Hunter and Saladin K. Patterson, and distributed by Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a man who returns to his hometown in a Georgia and attempts to revive a church choir in order to enter a gospel competition, with the help of his childhood friend, played by Beyoncé Knowles. The film is notable for its soundtrack and ensemble cast. The film received mixed reviews upon release.

Plot

In 1980, a young Darrin Hill and his mother, Mary Ann, are run out of Monte Carlo, Georgia, after Mary Ann was found to be singing secular R&B music even as she is in the local church choir. After being confronted by the self-righteous and domineering Paulina Pritchett, Mary Ann is forced to choose between singing professionally or remaining in the choir. Choosing the former, she and Darrin leave on a bus, sadly waving goodbye to their beloved Aunt Sally. In 2003, Darrin is a successful advertising executive in New York City with a bad habit of lying; Mary Ann was killed in a hit-and-run accident when he was a teenager. His secretary and only loving, true friend, Rosa Lopez, controls his credit problems. However, Darrin has achieved so much under false pretenses, having faked his high school and college diplomas, and lied about being the son of a congressman. Eventually, his lies get him in trouble with his paranoid boss, resulting in Darrin‘s termination. After being tracked down by a private investigator, Darrin learns that Aunt Sally has died. Darrin returns to Monte Carlo and finds new friends in Paulina's grandson, Jimmy B. and Lucious, the town's happy-go-lucky, womanizing cab driver. After Aunt Sally's funeral, Darrin learns from Reverend Paul Lewis, the pastor and Paulina's brother, that Aunt Sally’s will says he must direct the church choir and enter the annual "Gospel Explosion" competition to win $10,000, and in doing so, inherit Aunt Sally's stock in the company that produces the show worth $150,000. This does not sit well with Paulina, as she had been next in line. Upon taking charge of the once-powerful choir, Darrin finds only a few members remain. After several setbacks, Darrin eventually recruits many new members, mostly by promising them half the prize money to them (though he has no intention of doing so). He also reconnects with his childhood friend and crush Lilly, who was also ostracized for being a nightclub singer, and having a son out of wedlock, Dean. Lilly initially refuses to join the choir, but with some assurance from Darrin, she ultimately becomes the new lead singer, with Paulina quitting in retaliation. Several weeks later, Paulina reveals Darrin had not entered the choir into the auditions on time. Luckily, the audition judge, Luther Washington, who is also the town's prison warden, lets them perform for his prisoners when another act cancels. Thanks to Lilly's beautiful looks and voice, the choir performs well. Washington lets them into the competition and lets Darrin borrow three convicts: Bee-Z Briggs, Lightfoot, and Mr. Johnson, who can sing and rap. After weeks of success, the choir and church have become more popular. Lilly starts to trust Darrin and returns his romantic feelings. However, Paulina takes a message for Darrin in a phone call from Rosa, and learns of his past. The next afternoon, Paulina deliberately exposes Darrin to make herself look innocent. Lilly, furious and heartbroken that Darrin had been using her, coldly tells him that she does not care, and the choir members begin to panic and become angry at him for his lies. Darrin, however, rebukes them for their hypocrisy in joining the choir to get paid, and the other churchgoers for running him and his mother out of town simply over her decision to pursue her singing dreams. Darrin quits and returns to New York, where he has been offered his job back with a promotion. However, shortly after Darrin gets the promotion and a new condo, he realizes these mean nothing without Lilly and the choir. Darrin returns to Monte Carlo to reconcile with Lilly. Afterwards, they recruit Lucious and Reverend Lewis, and they all rush to the Gospel Explosion to join the choir. When Darrin and Lilly arrive, Paulina, having taken over as director, tries to exclude, citing that Darrin forfeited his inheritance when he quit. However, Reverend Lewis finally stands up to Paulina and calls her out. He then reveals her husband, whom she had claimed was dead, is alive and remarried to a better woman. Lilly scolds Paulina for insulting Sally’s will and wishes, which gave Darrin the choir. They convince the rest to oust Paulina, giving Darrin back his position. Before their performance, Darrin tells Lilly she inspired him to name the choir “The Fighting Temptations”. They win the competition, but before ending his acceptance speech, Darrin surprises Lilly with a marriage proposal, which she accepts. Eighteen months later, the two are happily married with a baby of their own. In addition, the church is to undergo expansion, and Paulina has returned to the choir after seemingly changing her ways.

Cast

Cameos

Production

The film crew used several locations throughout Georgia. The final scene was filmed in Columbus, GA at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Several of the extras were local residents of Columbus, GA.

Reception

Critical response

The music of the film received acclaim, most notably, Beyoncé's cover of "Fever", while the film itself was criticized for its screenplay, rehashed premise and lack of chemistry between actors Gooding and Knowles. Ebert & Roeper reviewed the film and Roger Ebert gave it thumbs up.

Box office

The Fighting Temptations grossed $30.3million domestically (United States and Canada), and $3.7million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $34million, against a budget of $30million. It opened at No. 3 in the weekend domestic box office, and spent its first four weeks in the Top10.

Soundtrack

A soundtrack accompanied the film and was released by Music World / Columbia / Sony Music on September 9, 2003. The soundtrack received generally positive reviews and proved to be more successful than the film itself. Only one song from the album, "Summertime", is not included in the movie. The song "Come Back Home" appears in the film, but was not included on the soundtrack album. Several other songs performed during the movie, including "Church Is in Mourning (Aunt Sally's Funeral Tribute)" by Shirley Caesar, "Won't Ever Change" by Mary Mary, "Waiting" by Ramiyah, and "Soldier" by The Blind Boys of Alabama, were also not included on the soundtrack.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music, Discogs, and Spotify.

Certifications

Cancelled sequel

In a 2003 interview, Mickey Jones – who had a supporting role in the film – stated that he hoped the film performed well because all of the principal actors had signed on for a sequel.

Awards and nominations