|  Now, properly speaking, the DVD release of The Fighting Temptations doesn't have an awful lot to offer in the way of anything particularly new or special. There's no commentary tracks, no DVD-ROM bonus features, and even the deleted scenes (for the most part) convinced me that there were good reasons...
But what the DVD does offer is more of what made the movie really special -- the gospel music, and the joy of the Lord with which it is infused. We get the full version of the O'Jays' "Loves Me Like a Rock," for instance, and the "To Da River" rap -- complete, naturally, with subtitles for T-Bone's rapid-fire rap delivery. And we  also get the full peformance from the Blind Boys, among others. I have to admit, too, that the extended clips of Cuba Gooding, Jr., directing "His Love Rains Down on Me" are priceless.
But the big musical numbers -- and the real gospel punch -- come at the end. They're the same versions that we saw in the theatre, but this is where the real spiritual heart of The Fighting Temptations can be found.
First, there's the song the choir sings at the Big Competition...
Took me a while, but I'm finally here
So I just want to testify, make it crystal clear
See, I've been picked out to be picked on
Talked about out of my friend's mouth
I been beat down till he turned my life around
Seems like I always fall short of being worthy
'Cause I ain't good enough, but He still loves me
I ain't no superstar, the spotlight ain't shining on me
'Cause I ain't good enough, but he still loves me, loves me
I used to wake up some days and wish I'd stayed asleep
'Cause I went to bed on top of the world
Today the world's on top of me
Now everybody's got opinions, they've been in my position
That it breaks me heart when I hear what they have to say about me
Seems like I always fall short of being worthy
'Cause I ain't good enough, but He still loves me
I ain't no superstar, the spotlight ain't shining on me
'Cause I ain't good enough, but he still loves me, loves me
I'm not perfect, yes I do wrong
I'm trying my best, but it ain't good enough
Shunned by the world when I don't succeed
'Cause I ain't good enough, but You still love me
If you ain't worthy just raise your hands
And let me know that you understand
That we are all so blessed to be loved
Stand for him and fall for anything
'Cause through his eyes we all look the same
What would we do without blame?
 And as these lines are sung, the three cons come forward, blazingly and incongruously clad in orange -- and you know the choir's not just singing about cons, they're singing about you and me, too.
They're singing about how we all need to be released from the chains that bind us.
Beyonce Knowles improvs over the closing choruses...
"The Lord still loves me. Raise your hands if you understand how he blesses you, 'cause he blessed me, too. Even though I ain't worthy -- you ain't worthy -- he's there for you. I don't know what I'd do -- I ain't good enough, but the Lord still loves me."
So how does it work? Well, if you didn't stick around through the credits in the theatre, the closing number provides some more details...
God, I'm a slave -- To get to heaven Reverend says I got to be saved
And behave, though I'm too stuck in my ways give Him praise
Words can't express what I feel inside of my flesh
Every breath is giving him glory until my death
I feel blessed 'cause every day I see him in the world
I feel blessed -- I don't want to do no more dirt
I feel blessed 'cause that path I was on was wrong
I feel blessed -- it's time to come home
It doesn't matter where you been or what you did wrong
It doesn't matter who you are you're always welcome
It only matters that your heart believes and you confess
If you committed any sin, you'll be forgiven
Is the DVD something in particular to get excited about? Maybe not, but the Gospel sure is, and The Fighting Temptations serves it up strong...
|
