The cast: Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. has a charisma and energy that fills the screen, and is a marvelous actor. He deserved better direction and script here, but nevertheless always gives us 100% of his overflowing talent as Darrin Hill, a con man forced to face the truth of his superficial life. "Destiny's Child" Beyoncé Knowles, who became even more voluptuous for the role of Lilly, a single parent and lounge singer, is absolutely gorgeous, and does as well with her acting as she does as a singer. Among the many standout performances, some are memorable: Mike Epps as Lucius, Melba Moore as Bessie, Wendell Pierce as Reverend Lewis, Eddie Levert Sr. as Joseph the barber, and Rue McClanahan, Lou Myers, Angie Stone, Mickey Jones, and T-Bone.

The music: My favorite numbers are "Rain Down", with Angie Stone and Eddie Levert, Sr., and also with Eddie and his fellow "O'Jays" Walter Williams and Eric Nolan Grant, "Like a Rock". "To Da River" with T-Bone, Zane, and Montell Jordan is exceptional, a rare combination of being a rap song with a melody, and other fabulous numbers are sung throughout the film, including a sultry rendition of the Peggy Lee hit, "Fever", by Beyoncé. The Blind Boys of Alabama and Melba Moore are among the many other fine performances.
Weak moments don't stop this from being a very enjoyable film, and well worth its 123 minutes of one's time.

--THIS IS ONE RUBBISH FILM !!!!
Review date: 2005-01-06 Rating: 2 out of 10

Ok I was really excited to see this movie because i love beyonce but the movie is total rubbish she dosent even really sing in the movie all she does is lip-sync its terrible and beyonce's acting is another issue plzz do not buy this movie !!!

It's no masterpiece but it'll leave you smiling
Review date: 2004-08-12 Rating: 8 out of 10

I actually bought this DVD in Tesco a few months ago, mainly because I'm a big Beyonce fan. I had read some pretty bad reviews and thus wasn't expecting much, and by the till attendant's comment I almost put it back on the shelf (and I quote "Oh! I watched that the other night...brought it straight back the next day.")
However, after watching the movie I was actually pretty surprised as it wasn't half bad.
I agree that the storyline is oh-so predictable, and that about a dozen characters could be cut without making hardly any difference to the overall movie, not to mention the fact that some of the one-liners don't make the slightest bit of sense.
But with those things aside, you're left with a happy, feel good movie that can be enjoyed by anyone from the ages 5 to 85!
Beyonce shines, as her acting continually improves and her vocals are, as per usual, flawless. Contributions from the likes of Angie Stone and Faith Evans, who not only add to the soundtrack but feature in the movie too, give the film another edge.
So to close, 'The Fighting Temptations' will inevitably leave you with your toes tapping in the name of the Lord and a smile on your face!

Alleluia!

Good Points = Beyonce! A brilliant soundtrack and a great rendition of Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely'
Bad Points = Predictable story, too many characters and some dodgy acting at times

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