The Fighting Temptations
A New York advertising executive who is about to land a big account, has his life shaken up when it becomes known that he has lied about having a college degree. After being fired, his life is further shaken by his debtors who had counted on paying after landing the account. Having to go on the run, he is called back to his southern town roots, when his great aunt dies. At the reading of the will, he learns he has been asked to assume the mantle of choir director of his great aunt's church and if he can get the choir in the Gospel Explosion in Atlanta, he will inherit stock worth $150,000. Unfortunately the choir leaves a lot to be desired and he has to start recruiting. Among others, he gets three prisoners to join. More importantly, he gets a "sinner" from one of the local night clubs to join. While initially scorned and resisted, nonetheless her voice wins everyone but the hardcore church busybody.
Despite a moderate budget of $15.0M, The Fighting Temptations became a solid performer, earning $30.2M worldwide—a 102% return.
4 wins & 11 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Fighting Temptations (2003) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Jonathan Lynn's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Darrin Hill is a slick New York advertising executive, lying to clients and living a superficial life disconnected from his roots and faith.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Darrin receives news that his Aunt Sally has died and learns he can inherit $150,000 only if he returns to his small Georgia hometown and directs the church choir to success.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Darrin makes the active choice to take on the challenge of directing the church choir despite opposition, committing to stay and lead them to the Gospel Explosion competition., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: The choir performs successfully at a preliminary event, Darrin and Lilly share a romantic moment, and it seems the plan is working - but Darrin's lies about his past still lurk beneath the surface., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth about Darrin's deceptions is exposed to the congregation and Lilly. He loses her trust, the choir disbands, and his dreams of both the inheritance and authentic connection die. He is rejected by the community., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Darrin chooses authenticity over profit, deciding to reunite the choir not for the inheritance but because he genuinely cares about the community and wants to honor his aunt's faith - synthesizing his skills with newfound purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Fighting Temptations's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Fighting Temptations against these established plot points, we can identify how Jonathan Lynn utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Fighting Temptations within the comedy genre.
Jonathan Lynn's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Jonathan Lynn films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Fighting Temptations represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jonathan Lynn filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Jonathan Lynn analyses, see Clue, The Whole Nine Yards and Sgt. Bilko.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Darrin Hill is a slick New York advertising executive, lying to clients and living a superficial life disconnected from his roots and faith.
Theme
A colleague mentions "You can't run from who you really are" - establishing the theme of authenticity versus pretense, and faith versus materialism.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Darrin's world: his fraudulent advertising pitch, strained workplace relationships, his estrangement from his Southern past, and his mother's influence on his life.
Disruption
Darrin receives news that his Aunt Sally has died and learns he can inherit $150,000 only if he returns to his small Georgia hometown and directs the church choir to success.
Resistance
Darrin debates whether to return South, faces resistance from his boss, travels to Monte Carlo Georgia, and encounters the skeptical church community who remember his troubled past.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Darrin makes the active choice to take on the challenge of directing the church choir despite opposition, committing to stay and lead them to the Gospel Explosion competition.
Mirror World
Introduction of Lilly, the single mother and talented singer who represents genuine faith and authentic living - everything Darrin has rejected. She becomes his thematic counterpoint and love interest.
Premise
The fun of assembling the misfit choir: recruiting unlikely singers from the community, rehearsals filled with comedy and gospel music, Darrin's growing attraction to Lilly, and the choir's gradual improvement.
Midpoint
False victory: The choir performs successfully at a preliminary event, Darrin and Lilly share a romantic moment, and it seems the plan is working - but Darrin's lies about his past still lurk beneath the surface.
Opposition
Opposition intensifies: rival church members scheme against Darrin, his past indiscretions surface, his relationship with Lilly deepens but remains built on partial truths, and his New York life threatens to reclaim him.
Collapse
The truth about Darrin's deceptions is exposed to the congregation and Lilly. He loses her trust, the choir disbands, and his dreams of both the inheritance and authentic connection die. He is rejected by the community.
Crisis
Darrin faces his dark night of the soul, confronting his life of lies and materialism, grappling with genuine guilt and the realization that he's lost something more valuable than money.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Darrin chooses authenticity over profit, deciding to reunite the choir not for the inheritance but because he genuinely cares about the community and wants to honor his aunt's faith - synthesizing his skills with newfound purpose.
Synthesis
The finale: Darrin rallies the choir members one by one through genuine apology and changed heart, they perform triumphantly at Gospel Explosion, and he wins back Lilly's trust through authentic action rather than manipulation.
Transformation
Darrin, now transformed, stands with his choir family and Lilly in the small town he once rejected - choosing authentic community and faith over New York materialism. He has become who he really is.