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THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS
Darrin Fox (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is fired from his high-power job at a Manhattan advertising agency when his boss (Steve Warren) finds out he lied about going to Yale. Just then, Darrin learns that his Great-aunt Sally (Ann Nesby) has died in his hometown of Monte Carlo, Georgia.
Her will stipulates that if Darrin will lead the local Baptist church choir to victory at the Gospel Explosion competition, he will inherit stocks worth $150,000. He accepts the challenge, secretly promises to pay some people to be in the choir and lies about being a record producer. Darrin continues his lies, persuading Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), a single mom, to be the lead singer.
The truth comes out about Darrin at the same time the ad agency calls to hire him back. He knows he has disappointed many people, so he leaves to take the lead on a huge account marketing malt liquor to black people.
Darrin realizes immediately that advertising and lies seem to be compatible. But through his lies he has lost the most genuine things in his life: his church, the gospel choir and the woman he loves.
Thus, Darrin returns just in time for the Gospel Explosion. When he and Lilly talk about the temptations they are faced with, she says, “Fighting temptations makes you strong.”
Regarding three convicts in the choir who have helped from the beginning, one lady says uncharitably, “We don’t need those convicts here now because we have God on our side.” Lilly answers, “We’re at a gospel competition; God’s on everyone’s side.” Amen.
The writing is contemporary and humorous (e.g., the American Idol-like auditions), and the film is very well cast. Six songs are performed in their entirety by artists Knowles, Destiny’s Child, Rev. Shirley Caesar, T-Bone, Lil’ Zane and Faith Evans. The energy and the rousing blend of gospel, R&B, rap and hip-hop build to an inspiring finale.
I went to see Temptations with a focus-group audience. It was like being at a concert. People talked back to the characters, laughed, clapped and sang along. Offers the opportunity to talk about such media-literacy principles as the target marketing of minorities, as well as the values of family and community, truth, commitments and diversity.
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