Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands—Psalm 100:1
And a joyful noise, this film is. It’s a rousing celebration of young love, Gospel choirs, friendship, family and community.
Two popular celebrities, Queen Latifah (as Vi Rose Hill) and Dolly Parton (as G.G. Sparrow), headline the film, but relative newcomers Jeremy Jordan as Sparrow’s grandson and Keke Palmer as Vi’s daughter “take you higher” with their outsized talent and explosive energy.
The story revolves around the Divinity Church choir, a perennial also-ran in regional choir competitions. The desire to win is made more intense by the financial hard times being experienced by Pacashau, Georgia, the small town where the church is located. Choir members yearn to give their neighbors and friends something to cheer about, to be proud of.
When the choirmaster, played by Kris Kristofferson, abruptly dies, Vi is chosen as the new choir director. She stubbornly holds on to the tried-and-true styleof the choir, while G.G.’s grandson wants to shake things up.
While the story and subplots are entertaining, they are really a vehicle for the music, which is so spirited that, at the end of the film, you’ll want to dance out of the theatre.
The songs range from favorite oldies like “Walk Away Renee” and ”I Want to Take You Higher” to the classic spiritual, “Fix Me Jesus” to three original songs by Ms. Parton, including “Not Enough” which energetically opens the film.
Through Glee-type musical interludes, the film builds to the showdown between the Divinity Church choir and its rival, Our Lady of Perpetual Tears. The latter, a choir comprised of Catholic school-uniformed youngsters, sings back-up to a truly amazing lead singer, played by Ivan Kelly, Jr. Their ebullient performance sets the audience afire, and one can’t imagine how Divinity will top them.
Other parts of the movie like the sharp-tongued bantering between Vi and G.G. are entertaining, but there are a couple of off-key moments—namely, Kris Kristofferson, who looks so old that one is easily convinced of his death, which comes early on in the film, and the too-easy resolution of Vi’s son’s Asperger’s syndrome.
But these are merely minor quibbles when set against the sheer unadulterated musical pleasure of Joyful Noise. See it! Rock to it! It could very well be the most uplifting film of 2012.
Watch the film's trailer, introduced by Dolly Parton.
