The Fighting Temptations

Starring Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. and pop sensation Beyoncé Knowles, THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS is an uplifting tour de force of gospel music. Director Jonathan Lynn commands an eclectic ensemble cast in this tale about the importance of community and following your heart.

A morally hollow and debt-ridden advertising executive in New York (Cuba Gooding Jr.) travels to a small southern town to cash in on an inheritance, only to discover that in order to collect he must first lead the local church gospel choir to success at a national competition.

Desperate for money, he embarks on the nearly impossible challenge of turning a choir of lackluster parishioners into Gospel gold. Frantically, he searches for the best voices in town and finds them in some unconventional places: the county jail, the barbershop, an R&B dance club, and all points in between.

Along the way he works to win the heart of a single mother with a voice of satin (Beyoncé Knowles), and comes dangerously close to being redeemed himself.

THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS is bursting with powerful music from talented artists such as Beyoncé Knowles, Faith Evans, Melba Moore, T Bone, Zane Copeland, Jr., Angie Stone, Montell Jordan and the O'Jays, as well as colorful comedic performances by character actors Steve Harvey, Mike Epps, Rue McClanahan, LaTanya Richardson and Wendell Pierce.

Academy Award® winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. has a phenomenal track record of successful movies including such films as "Snow Dogs," "Rat Race," "Pearl Harbor," "Men of Honor," "Instinct," "As Good As It Gets," "Jerry Maguire," "A Few Good Men" and "Boyz N the Hood."

Beyoncé Knowles, the pop sensation of Destiny's Child, was named the 2002 ASCAP Awards Songwriter of the year. She won a Grammy in 2002 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal ("Survivor") and in 2001 she received five Grammy nominations including Record of the Year and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture. She recently made her film debut in "Austin Powers in Goldmember."

Utilizing some of the top gospel, R&B and rap talent, as well as discovering a few new artists along the way, Jonathan Lynn has crafted a heartfelt film filled with delicious humor, memorable characters, and magnificent music.

See the Gallery for more photos from the film production.

Soundtrack is available in stores. DVD with many extra features is coming soon.