Advertising executive Darrin Hill comes back to Monte Carlo, Georgia, his home town, after things got a bit tough for him back in Manhattan. When he aunt Sally dies, she left a strange request in her will. She wants Darrin to lead the church choir. By doing so, he shall inherit the sum of $150,000, something that is music to his ears.
Unfortunately, things do not go according to plan. To begin with, the new members he recruits have no particular talent to make them shine. Then, there is a regional competition of choirs which will bring prestige to the town. Darrin ultimately gets lucky when he gets Lilly, his childhood sweetheart to become a part of the singing group. Darrin runs against a spiteful Pauline, who wants him out of the church and out of town.
Jonathan Lynn the man that gave us "My Cousin Vinnie" and "Nuns on the Run" knows a thing, or two, how to endear his subjects to an audience, as he does here. He was lucky to have the kinetic Cuba Gooding Jr. to play Darrin. Mr. Gooding has a charming aura about him in most of the comedies in which he has played and does a fine job in the film. To Mr. Lynn's credit he uses a singing sensation like Beyonce Knowles without bending to let her do some of her material, concentrating in the gospel songs. Latanya Richardson has some good moments and the supporting cast makes a valuable contribution to the success of the film.
Unfortunately, things do not go according to plan. To begin with, the new members he recruits have no particular talent to make them shine. Then, there is a regional competition of choirs which will bring prestige to the town. Darrin ultimately gets lucky when he gets Lilly, his childhood sweetheart to become a part of the singing group. Darrin runs against a spiteful Pauline, who wants him out of the church and out of town.
Jonathan Lynn the man that gave us "My Cousin Vinnie" and "Nuns on the Run" knows a thing, or two, how to endear his subjects to an audience, as he does here. He was lucky to have the kinetic Cuba Gooding Jr. to play Darrin. Mr. Gooding has a charming aura about him in most of the comedies in which he has played and does a fine job in the film. To Mr. Lynn's credit he uses a singing sensation like Beyonce Knowles without bending to let her do some of her material, concentrating in the gospel songs. Latanya Richardson has some good moments and the supporting cast makes a valuable contribution to the success of the film.