Cuba dances and Beyonce sings beautifully.

His most recent film, The Fighting Temptations, is the story of an advertising executive, Darrin Fox (Gooding), living New York City who returns to his birthplace, a small Georgia town, when his aunt dies.  His intention of going back only for the funeral and returning quickly to repair his shattered life in New York is derailed pretty early in the film.  Before leaving for the funeral Fox is fired for lying about his credentials and the debt collectors are hot on his trail as it seems he owes everyone something.  When Darrin arrives in his hometown he finds his inheritance from his aunt, totaling $150,000.00 can fix all his money woes; however this is Hollywood so there is a catch.  The catch? He has to lead his aunt's former gospel choir to success in the yearly gospel competition, in order to collect the funds. In the meantime, Darrin rekindles a friendship with his childhood sweetheart, Lilly (Knowles), who he later finds out is a fabulous singer and the one person who can help the choir win.  She left the choir because she had a child out of wedlock and sings at a nightclub.  Now people, are we really to believe that in the year 2003 a church choir is going to throw out the beautiful Beyonce, with her sweet voice, because she sings in a nightclub and has a son but no husband?  That is about as realistic as Beyonce even looking twice at Cuba Gooding Jr!!! Oh wait, that happens too!

I find the romance between the two main characters disturbing since there is absolutely NO chemistry between Lilly and Darrin.  I can hardly blame Beyonce since Cuba Gooding Jr. looks like a cabbage patch doll on crack, but c'mon girl! That's what acting is!  Apparently when discussions first began for this movie, P.Diddy was the first choice for the lead and later for unknown reasons Cuba Gooding Jr was cast. Now I think we all agree there would have been chemistry had P. Diddy stayed in the picture since he is FINE! As it was, it was like Beyonce was trying desperately to get over the disappointment of Gooding as her leading man. I know I'm still trying to get over it. 

The one redeeming quality in this film was the music.  I know this is what everyone will say in every damn review, but that's because it really was great.  I love gospel music and they did the songs justice and sang them with passion. There weren't the usual movie cutaway scenes but rather the actors were allowed to really sing the full songs.    It showed gospel music for what it is; high energy and fun.  My friend, Julie, leaned over during the first song and said, "If church was really this much fun I would go everyday." I think she was drunk.

This movie did nothing for me other than showcase some great music and some great singers.  The supporting cast was a mish-mash of the old school Hollywood and music industry.  The O'Jays were in the barbershop scene, and Melba Moore and Faith Evans both had small roles.

The audience LOVED the music and often times sang along.  This was one of those times when the audience was as interesting as or more so than the movie.  I sat amongst people yelling, "Amen" and "that's right, girl!" 

If you like gospel music, you will enjoy the movie if you are able to ignore the embarrassing antics of Cuba Gooding Jr, the blank and tired stares of Beyonce, the horrible writing and the ridiculously contrived story.  Oh wait, you could just go buy the cd and skip the film!  I wish I had.