The Fighting Temptations

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2:22

The Fighting Temptations

PG-13

Released Sep 19, 2003

2h 2m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

109 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Advertising executive Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) loses his job and his girlfriend after his many lies about his background and education are discovered. Soon after, he returns to his small Georgia hometown to collect an inheritance from his Aunt Sally (Ann Nesby). To receive it, he must lead the church choir to victory in a gospel competition. With the help of childhood friend Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), now a beautiful singer, Darrin gets the choir ready to perform.

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Critics Consensus

The music is the only saving grace in this predictable and eager-to-please comedy.

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Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

This is a bellyaching, foot-stomping, hoot-and-hollering movie for any crowd.

Nov 9, 2018

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Neil Norman

London Evening Standard

A shamelessly feelgood movie with a lightweight moral theme involving honesty, prejudice and hypocrisy, it narrowly keeps its head above the cliches by virtue of its attractive star and musical numbers.

Jan 11, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Great music, mediocre plot and acting.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

The ensuing life lesson drama has all the spice of a bowl of oats.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 17, 2019

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

The indifferent gospel music that permeates the movie never solidifies with the dramatic might that the genre is known for...

Rated: C-

Jun 14, 2009

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 2/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Stephen C

LOL, 2 hours and 2 minutes of humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $30,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Javarious B

Great movie for those who are into Church and God. It has a story of a mother who was a backslider who lost her life to the streets and a grandmother who filed the roles of a mother. Two young children reunited after years and with the help of a liar and thief and prisoners and the community help they found a way to get along and save a Church and town. It's a beautiful story wish they would have made a remake or part 2

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

Full Review

pariss

I like the movie but the casting was so random beyonce looked like she was 17 and the guy looked like he was pushing 50 and why was darrin so obsessed with lily it was so awkward to watch any scene with them because darrin was so obsessed and lily obviously didnt like him but anways stan beyonce

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

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Audience Member

Ages 13+ only, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny and romantic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Reminds me of my church choir. The humor and gospel music are so much needed during this pandemic. I have watched it over and over again because of the way it lifts my spirit. I love it. Good for families with children too!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Feel good movie with a great soundtrack. Sad to realize that a sequel was shelved.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Jonathan Lynn

Director

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Darrin Hill

Beyoncé

Lilly

Melba Moore

Bessie Cooley

Mike Epps

Lucius

Shirley Caesar

Self

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Sally's Dying Wish

2:00

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Barbershop Quartet

1:27

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - No Sinners in the Choir

1:19

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Fever

1:45

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Welcome Home

2:11

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Aunt Sally's Funeral

1:29

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Choir Auditions

2:08

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - You're Fired

1:45

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Fighting Temptation

1:10

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Singing for the Inmates

2:03

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The Fighting Temptations: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

Advertising executive Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) loses his job and his girlfriend after his many lies about his background and education are discovered. Soon after, he returns to his small Georgia hometown to collect an inheritance from his Aunt Sally (Ann Nesby). To receive it, he must lead the church choir to victory in a gospel competition. With the help of childhood friend Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), now a beautiful singer, Darrin gets the choir ready to perform.

Director: Jonathan Lynn
Producer: David Gale, Loretha Jones, Jeff Pollack
Screenwriter: Elizabeth Hunter, Elizabeth Hunter, Saladin K. Patterson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Handprint Entertainment, MTV Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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