Film Review: Joyful Noise

By: Matt Bjorke

Last Updated: January 12, 2012 11:01 PM

With the popularity of Glee, the timing is definitely ripe for musical films to once again rise to prominence. With that in mind we have the new Warner Brothers musical film Joyful Noise. Written and directed by Todd Graff (who wrote/directed Bandslam and Camp), the film centers around two women (Dolly Parton’s “GG” and Queen Latifah’s “Vi Rose”) who fight to lead Georgia-based Gospel choir of their church as they get ready to compete for a national Gospel Choir championship.

The jokes in Joyful Noise are quick, funny and smart and help keep the film light despite what would be perceived as a serious tone since the film’s setting is in the church and gospel music. Like Glee, the pacing is quick and while there is a sub-plot where teenagers find each other despite coming from different worlds; Keke Palmer’s “Olivia” character is Queen Latifah’s daughter while Jeremy Jordan’s a street-wise trouble maker called “Randy” who is sent by his NY-based mother to live with his Grandmother (Dolly) in Georgia. While it’s a second story-line of the film to the competition between GG and Vi Rose, it helps move the film along and as usual Latifah’s Vi Rose is an over-protective mother who still sees her teenagers as children. So when Randy is smitten with Olivia, Vi Rose isn’t having any of it. It doesn’t help that Randy’s reputation in the small Georgia town is that he’s all trouble. To prove he’s not, Randy helps Vi Rose’s other child, “Walter” (played by Dexter Darden), overcome issues related to his Asperger’s Syndrome. This proves to Vi Rose (and to Olivia) that Randy is really a kind-hearted, caring guy and may be a worthy suitor for her daughter.

While the quick pacing and plot is strong enough to guide the film’s non musical moments, it really is the music of the film, the soundtrack that is the biggest star of the show. Featuring gospelized versions of Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror,” a medley of Usher, Chris Brown and Sly and Family Stone songs, Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and gospel songs along with new songs written for the film, the soundtrack isn’t nearly as ‘church’ as one would expect a film centered around a Gospel Choir to be. And that ultimately makes this a soundtrack worth hearing and a film worth seeing, even if you’re not the most religious of people. In fact the Dolly Parton-penned song “From Here to the Moon and Back” is one of the highlights of the film along with Queen Latifa’s “Fix Me” and Karen Peck’s “Mighty High.”

Joyful Noise delivers exactly what one should want to go to the movies for: to be entertained. It’s a heartfelt, fun film with a strong cast (including Law & Order vets Courtney B. Vance and Jesse L. Martin). The message of love, acceptance, overcoming tough obstacles despite hard times is something that never gets weighty and leaves you feeling very happy while leaving the theater.