"A hoot and a holler." Megan Lehmann NEW YORK POST "A raucous gospel comedy that's as broad as co-star Beyonce Knowles' vowels and chockablock with foot-stomping, up-with-the-choir music that will have even atheists praising the Lord." Jack Mathews NEW YORK DAILY NEWS "All about the music, and you'd have to be truly tone-deaf not to respond to its soaring harmonies and spirited spirituality." Neil Smith BBCI FILMS "It's not graceful. It's not smart. But it's sweet and cute, and that will do until a real romantic comedy comes along." Roger Moore ORLANDO SENTINEL "Exuberant musical numbers and comic characters bolster the film's time-honored premise." Sheri Linden HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"From its exhilarating first scene -- set in a black Southern church -- The Fighting Temptations rocks" Eric Harrison HOUSTON CHRONICLE "The cast is endearing, and despite a ridiculously contrived story line, the film plays like a happily toe-tapping song." Laine Ewen PREMIERE MAGAZINE "The plot is silly, but if you like good music, you'll forgive them for this." Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone THEMOVIECHICKS.COM "Gospel music, despite the cast and crew listing, is the actual star of “The Fighting Temptations,” a rollicking musical that’s bound to have you stomping and clapping along." Linda Cook QUAD CITY TIMES "A good story sung by great voices." Michael Booth DENVER POST

At A Glance

"May not be great cinema, but it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser." Ann Hornaday WASHINGTON POST

Writer Elizabeth Hunter admits she wrote "The Fighting Temptations" because of her love for music and that shines throughout the film. Hunter who started her career at NBC, moved to the Walt Disney Company, gained the position of Director of Developement at Universal Pictures finally quit the executive ranks and began writing for screen and television. "The Fighting Temptations" is her screen debut but for the last two seasons she has been a writer on the highly successful television show "ER". It may be a film about music but Cuba Gooding Jnr sees a little more in the films story-line. "This film is about community," says the Oscar winning actor. "It's also about how a man can discover his life by going back home where he finds himself through finding the talent within others."
Producer Loretha Jones thinks that "A lot of moviegoers will see bits and pieces of themselves in the characters, and while they're having a great time, they might come away from the film with a different perspective on life." Director Jonathan Lynn agrees. "There are numerous characters in this film, all with strongly held views," he said. "Thats what communities and families are alike, diverse opinions coming together. Audiences of all ages and backgrounds seem to recognize these characters and connect with the film." One things for sure, those who love music will find a real connection here for the diverse characters are all connected musically.
Making her big screen singing debut in "The Fighting Temptations" is former Destiny's Child member Beyoncé Knowles. That's right, her big screen singing debut. Beyoncé has appeared on the big screen before but not singing. She made her acting debut alongside Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movie, "Goldmember". Beyoncé, along with hip-hop artists Missy Elliot, MC Lyte and Free perform the first single from the soundtrack entitled "The Fighting Temptations". While the characters are certainly fun and larger than life the music is what will appeal to many moviegoers. And why not! The cast reads like a who's who of Gospel, R & B and hip-hop. Hows this for a list?
Ann Nesby, Mary Mary, gospel quartet Raymiuah, Grammy Winner Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, the Blind Boys of Alabama, former member of The New Christ Mintrels Mickey Jones, Montell Jordan, T-Bone, the Reverend Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays and more. O'Jays member Eddie Levert Snr has been singing professionally for some 44 years and says he couldn't have been more delighted with his first acting experience. "I loved doing this movie!", Levert exclaimed. "There was such camaraderie on the set, and those who had years of acting experience really gave us a lot of encouragement. Truly everyone became like a family." Amongst the cast is one face many will find very familiar. It is that of Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe nominee Rue McClanahan best known for her starring role as the sassy, sexy, Blanche Deveraux from The Golden Girls who makes a guest appearance as a choir member. Another choir member who stands out is 6 ft 8 inch R & B singer Montell Jordan. Known for his rich, deep voice Jordan plays a convict who is recruited into the choir from the local penitentiary. In this case, his character Johnson has a falsetto voice. "It's not my trademark style of singing," he explained, "but it was a fun challenge and a great opportunity to step into a character with a history so different to mine.".
Finally there's the comedy factor, for this is after all, a comedy, romance set to music. One colorful character who is a lot of fun is Lucius played by Mike Epps who sums up what the film is really all about. "You see Luciua is one of those guys that just doesn't fit in, but he is who he is. That's what I love about this film. In it, you'll see that people are best when they're just being themselves." Cast & Crew Bytes "The Fighting Temptations" was directed by Jonathan Lynn ["Clue", "Nuns On The Run", "My Cousin Vinny"], produced by David Gale ["Orange County", "Election" and "Safe Passage"], Loretha Jones ["She's Gotta Have It", "School Daze", "The Five Heartbeats" and "Price of Glory"] and Jeff Pollack ["Above the Rim", "Booty Call" and "Lost and Found"] from a story by Elizabeth Hunter ["Apollo 13", "Clockers", "Twelve Monkies" and televisions "ER"].
"The Fighting Temptations" stars Cuba Gooding Jnr ["Jerry Maguire", "As Good As It Gets", "Men Of Honor", "Snow Dogs" and "Rat Race"], Beyoncé Knowles ["Austin Powers:Goldmember"], Mike Epps ["Next Friday", "Friday After Next", "Bait" and "How High"], Steve Harvey ["Holy Wars" and "If You Were My Girl"], Latanya Richardson ["Lone Star", "Sleepless in Seattle", "Lorenzo's Oil" and "Fried Green Tomato"], Melba Moore ["Pigeons", "Lost In The Stars" and "Def by Temptation"], and Wendell Pierce ["The Money Pit", "Family Business", "Sleepers" and "Bulworth"] as the Reverend Lewis. The Story

"Full-throated and good-hearted, yet tart and sharp in all the right places." Scott Brown ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Cuba Gooding Jnr stars in this ligfhtweight but entertaining story about a young man who has conned his way through life and just when he thinks he's made it, gets found out and is sacked from his job as an advertising executive. Just when all looks lost he finds out his dear Aunt Sally has left him an inheritence of $150000. But there is a catch. To get it he must take the local church choir to the finals of the 14th Annual Gospel Explosion and win. This film may not be a heavyweight contender folks but it's one of the best free concert you'll get, with songs by Beyonce Knowles, Faith Evans, The Alabama Blind Boys, Destiny's Child, Ann Nesby and the Reverend Shirley Caesar. The Verdict "It may not be a heavyweight contender in the box-office stakes but this lighweight, fluffy film does have its good points especially when it comes to singing performances. Of course if you're a big fan of Beyonce Knowles, Faith Evans and that upbeat, robust gospel singing which afro-americans do so well, then "The Fighting Temptations" will give you more than your monies worth. As for that story-line? Well it's a cute little tale and doesn't demand too much from the viewer. All up there's enough in "The Fighting Temptations" to justify seeing it. It's heart is in the right place, the musics great and it makes a sweet diversion." The Cast

Cuba Gooding Jr Beyoncé Knowles Ann Nesby Faith Evans Wendell Pierce Nigel Washington Chloe Bailey Demetress Long Melba Moore LaTanya Washington Ricky Dillard L John Meyers Reverend Shirley Caesar LaTanya Richardson Lou Myers T Lourdes Benedicto Richie Dye Dakin Matthews Wilbur Fitzgerald Daphne Duplaix Joanie Fox Enoch King Jill Jane Clements Mike Epps Steve Harvey Eddie Levert Snr Rue McClanahan

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Darrin Hill Lilly Aunt Sally Walker Maryann Hill Reverend Lewis Little Darrin Little Terri Church Usher Bessie Cooley Faye Jenkins Choir Director Homer T Herself Paulina Pritchett Homer T Rosa Lopez Private Investigator Mr Fairchild L & G Representative Tiffany Waitress Man Playing Poker Train Attendant Lucius Miles Smoke Joseph Nancy Stringer

The Crew Directed by Jonathan Lynn From a story by Elizabeth Hunter Screenplay by Elizabeth Hunter and Saladin K Patterson Cinematography by Affonso Beato Film Editing by Paul Hirsch Casting by Robi Reed Production Design by Victoria Paul Art Direction by Cate Bangs Set Decoration by Diana Stoughton Costume Design by Tracey White Rated PG [AUST] Run Time 118 minutes Copyright ©2004 - Paramount Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved