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{{Infobox film
| name = The Fighting Temptations
| image = Fighting temptations poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Jonathan Lynn]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
* David Gale
* Loretha C. Jones
* [[Benny Medina]]
* [[Jeff Pollack]]
}}
| writer = Elizabeth Hunter Saladin K. Patterson
| starring =
{{plainlist|
* [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]]
* [[Beyoncé|Beyoncé Knowles]]
* [[Mike Epps]]
* [[Latanya Richardson]]
}}
| music = [[Jimmy Jam]] [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis|Terry Lewis]] James Wright
| cinematography = [[Affonso Beato]]
| editing = [[Paul Hirsch (film editor)|Paul Hirsch]]
| studio = [[MTV Films]] Handprint Films
| distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|2003|9|19}}
| runtime = 123 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $30 million
| gross = $32.7 million
}}
'''''The Fighting Temptations''''' is a 2003 American [[Musical film|musical]] [[Comedy|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 Georgia and attempts to revive a church choir in order to enter a [[Gospel music|gospel]] competition, with the help of his childhood friend, played by [[Beyoncé Knowles]].

The film is notable for its soundtrack and [[ensemble cast|ensemble]] cast. The film received mixed reviews upon release.

==Plot==
{{Long plot|film|date=November 2023}}
In 1980, a young Darrin Hill and his mother, Mary Ann, are [[Run out of town on a rail|run out]] of Monte Carlo, Georgia, after Mary Ann was found to be singing secular [[Rhythm and blues|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|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==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] as Darrin Hill
** Nigel Washington as Young Darrin
* [[Beyoncé|Beyoncé Knowles]] as Lilly
**[[Chloe Bailey]] as Young Lilly
* [[Mike Epps]] as Lucious
* [[Faith Evans]] as Mary Ann Hill
* [[Steve Harvey]] as Miles Smoke (Local Radio DJ)
* [[Wendell Pierce]] as Reverend Paul Lewis
* [[Latanya Richardson|LaTanya Richardson]] as Paulina Lewis-Pritchett
* [[Dave Sheridan (actor)|Dave Sheridan]] as Bill the Mechanic
* [[Angie Stone]] as Alma
* [[Rue McClanahan]] as Nancy Stringer
* [[Melba Moore]] as Bessie Cooley
* Reverend [[Shirley Caesar]] as Herself
* [[Montell Jordan]] as Mr. Johnson (Convict #1)
* [[T-Bone (rapper)|T-Bone]] as Bee-Z Biggs (Convict #2)
* [[Dakin Matthews]] as Mr. Fairchild
* [[Lou Myers (actor)|Lou Myers]] as Homer T.
* [[Mickey Jones]] as Scooter
* [[Lil Zane|Zane Copeland Jr.]] as Derek
* [[Ann Nesby]] as Sally Walker
* [[Lourdes Benedicto]] as Rosa Lopez
* Mitchah Williams as Jimmy B.
* [[Eddie Levert|Eddie LeVert Sr.]] as Joseph
* [[The O'Jays|Walter Williams Sr.]] as Frank
* [[The O'Jays|Eric Nolan Grant]] as Samuel
* [[Lady Tambourine|Rosalie Washington]] as Faye Jenkins
* James E. Gaines as Lilly's Grandfather
* Darrell Vanterpool as Dean
* Chris Cole as Lightfoot (Convict #3)
* [[Mae Middleton]] as Tasha
* [[Faizon Love]] as Luther Washington (Prison Warden)
* [[Wilbur Fitzgerald]] as L&G Representative
}}

===Cameos===
{{Cast listing|
* [[The Blind Boys of Alabama]] as Themselves
* [[Mary Mary]] as Themselves
* [[Ramiyah]] as Themselves
* [[Donnie McClurkin]] as Judge of Gospel Explosion (Himself)
* [[Yolanda Adams]] as Judge of Gospel Explosion (Herself)
* [[Daphne Duplaix]] as Tiffany, Darrin's girlfriend
* [[NeNe Leakes]] as Strip Club Dancer
}}

==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. [[Ken Kwapis]] had previously been attached to direct.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2002/film/news/kwapis-set-for-par-pic-temptations-1117861506/|title= Kwapis set for Par pic ‘Temptations’|date= February 26, 2002|access-date= May 24, 2025|first1= Claude|last1= Brodesser|first2= Cathy|last2= Dunkley|work= Variety}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response===
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|The music is the only saving grace in this predictable and eager-to-please comedy.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} {{MC film|53|32|ref=yes|access-date=2024-09-21}}

The music of the film received acclaim, most notably, Beyoncé's cover of "Fever",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archive-Jon-Wiederhorn |title=Damon Elliott Gives Beyonce 'Fever,' Writes Lame Raps|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458988/damon-elliott-gives-beyonce-fever-writes-lame-raps/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907191135/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458988/damon-elliott-gives-beyonce-fever-writes-lame-raps/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |access-date=2020-07-06|website=MTV News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-12-11 |title=Beyonce fever |url=http://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/film/beyonce-fever-7437257.html|access-date=2020-07-06 |website=Evening Standard}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=The Fighting Temptations movie review (2003) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-fighting-temptations-2003|access-date=2020-07-06 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |via=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref>

===Box office===
''The Fighting Temptations'' grossed $30.3{{nbsp}}million domestically (United States and Canada), and $3.7{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $34{{nbsp}}million, against a budget of $30{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=BOM>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2023-12-08}}</ref> It opened at No. 3 in the weekend domestic box office, and spent its first four weeks in the Top{{nbsp}}10.<ref name=BOMWeek>{{cite web |title=''The Fighting Temptations'' {{!}} Domestic Weekly |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1330873857/weekly/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |access-date=2024-09-21}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==

The soundtrack album ''[[The Fighting Temptations (Music From The Motion Picture)]]'' accompanied the film and was released by [[Music World Entertainment|Music World]] / [[Columbia Records|Columbia]] / [[Sony Music]] on September 9, 2003.

==Cancelled sequel==
In a 2003 interview, [[Mickey Jones]]{{snd}}who had a supporting role in the film{{snd}}stated that he hoped the film performed well because all of the principal actors had signed on for a sequel.<ref>{{Cite interview |first=Mickey |last=Jones |subject-link=Mickey Jones |interviewer=Mike Furches |title= Special Interview with Mickey Jones |website=hollywoodjesus.com |date=2003-10-12 |url=http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/newsletter059.htm |access-date=2021-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217003813/http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/newsletter059.htm |archive-date=2020-02-17 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Recipients
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |BET Comedy Awards
| [[Beyoncé|Beyoncé Knowles]]
| Outstanding Actress in a Box-Office Movie
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| [[Mike Epps]]
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Box-Office Movie
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Black Reel Awards]]
| [[Beyoncé|Beyoncé Knowles]]
| Best Actress
| {{nom}}
|rowspan="5" | <ref>{{cite web | title=Black Reel Awards (2004) | website=IMDb | date=2004-02-22 | url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000957/2004/1/ | access-date=2024-12-30}}</ref>
|-
| Elizabeth Hunter Saladin K. Patterson
| Best Screenplay Original or Adapted
| {{nom}}

|-
| rowspan="2" |
| Best Film
| {{nom}}

|-
| Best Film Soundtrack
| {{won}}
|-
| "He Still Loves Me"
| Best Film Song
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
| [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]]
| Worst Actor
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Image Awards]]
|
| Outstanding Motion Picture
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-01-08 |title=Official List of 35th NAACP Image Awards Nominations |url=http://www.naacpimageawards.net/media/35thnominees.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040312072443/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/media/35thnominees.html |archive-date=2004-03-12 |access-date=2024-12-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Braxton | first=Greg | title=A twist in Image Award nominations | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2004-01-08 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-08-wk-braxton8-story.html | access-date=2024-12-30}}</ref>
|-
| [[Beyoncé|Beyoncé Knowles]]
| Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
| {{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Jonathan Lynn}}
{{MTV Films}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''The Fighting Temptations''
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Soundtrack}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fighting Temptations, The}}
[[Category:2003 films]]
[[Category:2000s musical comedy films]]
[[Category:2003 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s romantic musical films]]
[[Category:African-American musical comedy films]]
[[Category:African-American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:African-American films]]
[[Category:American romantic musical films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jonathan Lynn]]
[[Category:Films set in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Gospel music media]]
[[Category:MTV Films films]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]
[[Category:Religious comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:English-language musical comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic musical films]]
[[Category:2003 musical films]]

The Fighting Temptations - Revision history

imported>KidsAndTheirGadgets: /* Production */