The Fighting Temptations may not cure the common cold with its FFF (Familiar Feel-Good Formula), but it'll definitely cure what ails you. Here's an unassuming, well-cast comedy drama, filled with forgiving spirit and jubilant gospel music, and its lessons go down as smooth as a mint julep in summertime. Mostly it's just good, harmless fun, beginning when a deceptive corporate ladder-climber (Cuba Gooding Jr.) returns from Manhattan to his southern-fried Georgia hometown to attend the funeral of a beloved aunt, whose will stipulates a reward of $150,000 if he'll direct the local church choir to win a big annual gospel music contest. The outcome is obvious, but veteran comedy director Jonathan Lynn keeps things percolating with casual flair, especially when a lovely lounge singer (Beyoncé Knowles, in a nicely downplayed costarring role) agrees to rejuvenate Gooding's choir, which teams rapping convicts, a boozy barfly (on organ), and bible-thumping prudes. With musical appearances by the O'Jays and the Blind Boys of Alabama, among others, how could this be anything but delightful? --Jeff Shannon
(50 votes)
2.
Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) has just lost his job with a New York advertising firm and bill collectors are chasing him all over the city. But just when he thinks his luck has completely run out, Darrin discovers he's the only surviving relative of his Aunt Sally who has just left him $150,000.00. Traveling back to his small hometown of Montecarlo, Georgia, to attend the funeral and collect his inheritance, Darrin soon discovers that Sally's written a tiny catch into her will. Her last wish is that her beloved nephew create a choir, enter it in the annual Gospel Explosion and bring home a victory.
When slick-talking New York City advertising executive Darrin Fox travels back to his small hometown of Monte Carlo, Georgia to claim the inheritance his aunt Sally left him, he finds he must fulfill her last wish before he can collect -- create a gospel choir and lead it to success. But with a town full of tin ears and a shortage of singers, Darrin is about ready to give up and head back to the city where he belongs...until he runs into Lilly. A beautiful nightclub singer with a voice that could rock the competition at the annual Gospel Explosion, Lilly is just the miracle Darrin is looking for...if he can persuade her to sing.
(45 votes)
4.
Don't Fight The Feeling
Oscar winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. stars as Darrin Hill, a slick-talking but down-on-his-luck NYC advertising exec who returns to his hometown in Georgia to claim the inheritance his aunt left him. But before Darrin can collect the money, he must fulfill his aunt's final wish - to create a local choir and lead them on to win the annual "Gospel Explosion" competition.
Darrin soon finds out that his hometown is full of colorful characters but short on talented singers. Then he meets Lilly (Beyonce Knowles), a beautiful jazz singer with a heavenly voice. Darrin sees Lilly as the answer to his prayers... if he can convince her his intentions are good and persuade her to sing.
Watch as Darrin tries to take this spiritual motley crew to victory and along the way realize that his aunt left him something much more than an inheritance.
Featuring performances by Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays and other music greats.
(42 votes)
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