Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah in "Joyful Noise"; photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

“Joyful Noise” (Warner Brothers) 

When you have Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah in a movie, well you pretty much have it all as far as a large segment of potential movie audiences is concerned. Then if you add in two up and coming young stars, Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan, you bring in another segment. Finally if you fill the film with gospel music that has a new modern sound, then you have it all and audiences should rush to see it. That is what the makers of “Joyful Noise” are hoping will happen.

The plot of this film concerns a choir in a small town in Georgia. Each year the choir competes in the nationals for the title of “Best Choir” and each time they lose. They come close but they lose. Anyway the choir is led by Bernard Sparrow (Kris Kristofferson), but in the opening scenes of the movie he suffers a heart attack and dies, His widow, G G (Parton) thinks she will be named as his replacement as choir leader, but the church committee decides to give the tile to Vi Rose (Latifah). This sets off a competition between the two women.

Things are further complicated when G G’s grandson Randy (Jordan) begins taking an interest in Vi Rose’s daughter Olivia (Palmer). It seems Randy has a bad reputation and Vi Rose is a very protective mother. She also is virtually a single mother as her husband Marcus (Jesse L Martin) has rejoined the Army and she now has to raise the children alone.

As the choir begins to rehearse for the next competition Randy and Olivia, with the encouragement of G G, urge Vi Rose to make the music more contemporary and lively. Vi Rose likes the old gospel music but you can bet who wins.

There is a lot of plot in this movie with G G and Vi Rose fighting, Randy and Olivia dating, husband Marcus being absent, and the battle of the type of music heating up. This tends to make the film a bit over involved at times but the final result is still enjoyment. Some people might wish there was more Dolly time on screen, other might wish for more Latifah. Still others might want more of the young couple, or more music. Overall the movie is balanced between all elements and that is good.

The film is rated PG-13 for profanity.

Dolly is believable as G G because G G is what most of us think Dolly is like. She looks fantastic, sings like an angel, and cracks jokes like a professional comic. She is Dolly and that is what audiences want. The same is true of Latifah. You see a lot of what we perceive as her persona in the character of Vi Rose. That makes acceptance easy enough.

The two young leads are excellent. They sing and they can act. Both have bright futures ahead of them. Jordan has already found success on Broadway and now he is conquering the movies. Keke Palmer is riveting. When she is performing you can’t take your eyes off of her.

“Joyful Noise” is a movie full of joy. It is not profound or deep but rather is just light entertainment that still affects the emotions. You will find yourself moved by the music and by the personalities of the characters involved.

I scored “Joyful Noise” a hallelujah 7 out of 10.