The problem with Cuba Gooding Jnr movies is that he's no longer the jazzy sideman (Jerry Maguire) but a star who won't calm down.
Take this gospel comedy. Gooding Jnr plays a city slicker with credit problems who must face his Southern-boy roots when a great aunt'€™s will puts him in charge of a ramshackle choir. There are hurdles - the church crooners are currently run by a pious prig (LaTanya Richardson). There's a challenge -€" he must win a national gospel contest to get his ritzy life back. And, of course, there'€™s a case of 'œlet there be enlightenment' - €" he finds that winning the heart of his childhood crush (Beyonce Knowles) is more important...
This amen corner Music Man has truly rousing raise-the-rafters singing stretches (thank you, Beyonce, Shirley Caesar, Melba Moore and the O'Jays) but otherwise it's pretty unmemorable. Even worse, it'€™s another example of how Gooding Jnr likes to gush goodwill '€™til we'™re bloody well swimming in it. Pray, somebody stop him.
NO VERDICT
