By Latrisha McDuffie
Joyful Noise, directed and written by Todd Graff, features the one and only Queen Latifah and the queen of country music Dolly Parton in the economically depressed town of Pasashau, Georgia.
The Pacashau Sacred Divinity Church suffers the loss of its beloved choir director (Kris Kristofferson) due to a sudden heart attack. Pastor Dale (Courtney B. Vance) selects Sister Vie Rose Hill (Queen Latifah), a modest, conservative nurse to replace him, rather than the late director’s widow, G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton). Feathers are more than a little ruffled.
G.G.’s grandson Randy’s (Jeremy Jordan) songs are not all intended for God’s glory. He is also trying to sing his way into the heart of the 16-year-old Olivia (Keke Palmer) who is Vi’s daughter, His kindness to Olivia’s brother, Walter (Dexter Darden) who suffers from Asperger syndrome, certainly scores Randy’s points.
Graff, who previously directed and written several musicals including “Camp” and “Bandslam” jumps between subplots like a Tyler Perry movie, between catfights, songs, and long walks to school. It seems that before writing the plot, Graff sat down and only read the cliff notes of a made-for-TV movie written by someone working for the Christian Broadcasting Network. There is a caveat: although Joyful Noise will appeal to a wholesome evangelical audience, it will raise a few questions. One subplot Christian audiences will undoubtedly question is the inclusion of a sexual relationship between two choir members. The events, which follow, open the door for an interesting discussion on if bad things are a direct punishment from God for disobeying His Top 10?
Other questions the film explores includes: Should churches replace traditional music with contemporary music? Can any song, including “Yeah” by Usher, by turn into a gospel song? Really? Can you? Is it okay to leave your family if enlisting in the army for two more years? Also, why does God allow people to be born with Asperger’s syndrome like Vi’s son Walter? Do all Southern women talk in metaphors using animals? “There’s always free cheese in the mousetrap, but trust me, the mice there ain’t happy.”
Graff does not provide any answers to the many questions raised in the movie, leaving the door open for “judgment” of the audience. However, Joyful Noise does entertain, inspire, and leave audiences humming a few new contemporary gospel songs.
Joyful Noise received a PG-13 rating, because not all language is appropriate for young audiences – or church sanctuaries. The storyline also includes a sexual reference. Running time: 118 minutes.
