The Fighting Temptations (2003)

A New York advertising executive travels to a small Southern town to collect an inheritance but finds he must create a gospel choir and lead it to success before he can collect.

Director:

Jonathan Lynn

Writers:

Elizabeth Hunter (story), Elizabeth Hunter (screenplay),

Stars:

Nigel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mike Epps

4 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nigel Washington	...	Little Darrin
Chloe Bailey	...	Little Lilly
Demetress Long	...	Church Usher
Ann Nesby	...	Aunt Sally Walker
Faith Evans	...	Maryann Hill
Melba Moore	...	Bessie Cooley
Rosalie Washington	...	Faye Jenkins
Ricky Dillard	...	Choir Director
Larry John Meyers	...	Homer T. (as L. John Myers)
Shirley Caesar	...	Herself (as Reverend Shirley Caesar)
LaTanya Richardson	...	Paulina Pritchett
Wendell Pierce	...	Reverend Lewis
Lou Myers	...	Homer T.
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Darrin Hill
Lourdes Benedicto	...	Rosa Lopez

Storyline

A New York advertising executive who is about to land a big account, has his life shaken up when it becomes known that he has lied about having a college degree. After being fired, his life is further shaken by his debtors who had counted on paying after landing the account. Having to go on the run, he is called back to his southern town roots, when his great aunt dies. At the reading of the will, he learns he has been asked to assume the mantle of choir director of his great aunt's church and if he can get the choir in the Gospel Explosion in Atlanta, he will inherit stock worth $150,000. Unfortunately the choir leaves a lot to be desired and he has to start recruiting. Among others, he gets three prisoners to join. More importantly, he gets a "sinner" from one of the local night clubs to join. While initially scorned and resisted, nonetheless her voice wins everyone but the hardcore church busybody.

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Plot Keywords:

church | advertising | gospel choir | georgia usa | advertising executive | 

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Taglines:

She was one temptation, he couldn't resist

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

I horodia tis symforas

Filming Locations:

Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£151,994 (UK) (12 December 2003)

Gross:

£272,886 (UK) (19 December 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Handprint Entertainment, MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film started out as a project for Sean Combs.

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Goofs

Johnson's tattoo disappears when he sings in the church.

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Quotes

Paulina Pritchett: This is a no-smoking house.
Jimmy B.: It's a no-smoking, no-drinking, no fornicatin', no point of livin' at all house.

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Connections

Features Cribs (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Don't Stop"
By Jonell (as Shannon Showes), Johnnie Frierson, Wendy Rene (as Mary Frierson) and Hi-Tek
Performed by Jonell
Courtesy of Def Jam Recordings
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Contains sample from "Tearz"
Performed by Wu Tang Clan
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label, a unit of BMG Music
Under license from BMG Film & Television Music
Contains interpolations from "After Laughter Comes Tears"
By Johnnie Frierson and Wendy Rene (as Mary Frierson)

User Reviews

Loved it

I found this film uplifting, funny and full of emotion. Beyonce looked and sounded amazing. Cuba did a good job and the whole film never lost my attention for a second. They sometimes say that they don;t make films like this anymore, but clearly this film proves that wrong. ( OK ignore that sentence it sounds stupid ) The music in this film is particularly good and all the characters fit into the story nicely. Good happy ending too. I just love this film and I don;t care if its not one that critics would rave on about. In my experience the films they rave on a bout are usually awful anyway. I am surprised that Beyonce hasn't made more films, she can really act in my humble opinion.