The Fighting Temptations

Although the foot-stomping sounds of the gospel choir put Sister Act to shame, the plot and performances of this film pale in comparison to the noble nuns. Continuing his losing streak in Hollywood, Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as a recently canned marketing executive who returns home after his great aunt dies. The plot struggles along like the Little Engine That Could as our protagonist fulfils his dead relative’s last wish of directing a motley crew choir of Golden Girls, falsetto felons and a lead singer (Beyonce Knowles) with sultry steps and hair like frayed rope. The characters are superficial and stereotypical; the plot is formulaic and exasperating; and director Jonathan Lynn’s failed romantic comedy will not make it hard for viewers to fight their temptation to see it.