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Customer Reviews of The Fighting Temptations

The Fighting Temptations- Just Good Fun
The Fighting Temptations, was a hilarious comedy. Featuring an immensly likable cast including Cuba Gooding, Jr., Beyonce Knowles, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey. Director Johnathan Lynn makes a good comedy with an inspirational message.
Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays a mendacious and sly New York advertising executive. He is good at what he does, but soon he learns that his Aunt Sally has passed away. He travels to his hometown to attend her funeral but soon finds his love interest, Knowles playing a nice role with her miraculous voice. He soon must take on the director of the church quire which he learns in his aunt's will but their is a prize to that if he does and being the prevaricating and sly man that he is he eagerly agrees. From here the film earns an abundant amount of laughs as well wonderful gospel music perfomances from Reverand Shirley Caesar, the O'Jays, Montell Jordan, Faith Evans, Melba Moore, rapper T-Bone, the Blind Boys of Alambama as well as star Beyonce Knowles. The film can seem sort of superficial and corny at times, but all in all it's a diverting comedy.
The Fighting Temptations is rated PG-13 for Some Sexual References. There is mainly mild crude language and sexual innuendo. I saw this one in theatres and I'm very glad that I did, for I was laughing the whole time. Possibly worth owning on Video or DVD.

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Great music makes up for a weak story!
If not for the contemporary setting, fashion, and music, one might think "The Fighting Temptations" was made in the early 40's. The story line seems as if it were lifted from one of those old "let's-put-on-a-show-to-save-the-town" musicals starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.

And the ethnic, regional, gender, and corporate stereotypes are so thick; it's a wonder the movie was picketed by the N.A.A.C.P., The League for the Defamation of Southerners, feminists, or church folk.

Speaking of the church scenes (of which these comprise three-fifths of the film), some things transpire that are too outrageous to believe: the "shouting" and church services are too over the top; a young couple passionately tongue each other in the choir stand and in the congregational pews; and one character boozes it up and carries a gun while playing the organ, just to name a few.

Thank God, the film boasts a great soundtrack. It can't lose with performances from the likes of Ann Nesby, Melba Moore, Rev. Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays, Beyonce, Angie Stone, Montel Jordan, and rapper T-Bone who is showcased prominently in one of the film's strongest songs.

As far as the acting is concerned, the performers do the best with what is given them in the rather routine script. A chief standout is Steve Harvey's portrayal of a radio announcer that "tells it like it is" while puffing on a cigarette. He's sort of like the movie's "Greek chorus", providing insight and humor.

It's also refreshing to see Rue McClanahan as one of the choir members. The former "Golden Girl" appears to be having a ball with the big production numbers and holds her own with the more seasoned singers.

As the closing credits roll, the viewer is reminded how gifted a dancer and athlete Cuba Gooding, Jr. really is! He cavorts, contorts, flips, and flies, never missing a beat.

Had Hollywood not beckoned, the Oscar winner's name would, without a doubt, be frequently seen on a Broadway marquee.

The film, though entertaining for most of its 123-minute running time, could've easily been produced for television or home video. It lacks that extra "oomph" and development that one expects from a theatrical release.

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It's O.K!
This isn't the best movie I've ever seen, but it's definitely not the worst either. It's worth watching though. However, I do believe that if their weren't all those professional singers in this movie it would have been just mediocre at best. It was the singers and the soundtrack that made it actually pretty good. I absolutely love Cuba Gooding Jr, and Beyonce' may not be on the A-list as an actress yet, but she definitely shows potential.