Director: Todd Graff
Writer: Todd Graff
Cast: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Kris Kristofferson, Kirk Franklin and Jeremy Jordan
Studio: Warner Brothers
G.G. Sparrow has to deal with her husband’s recent death and his troublesome choir. Vi Rose Hill has been appointed to take over and she brings a world of change to this rather stereotypical music-filled dramedy. Dolly Parton returns to a starring role for the first time since “Straight Talk”, but does she deliver the goods? Well, it depends on what you call the goods. If a top-heavy older lady doing her thing works for you, then she delivers the goods. If you haven’t caught on to her act for the last few decades, then you’re going to be annoyed. Queen Latifah continues to play herself framed in a different environment for what feels like the umpteenth time. But, there’s got to be something good here.
Let’s run down the checklist of cliches in this flick. Bossy white woman, troubled teen sent to live with his grandmother, autistic kid to field the disabled quotient, absent father/troubled soldier about to be shipped off and to top it all off we get the religious factor. When you can sell a film on its own merits, you trot out Jesus to target certain demographics. The only other option involves slapping Tyler Perry in drag and having him bravely tip a toe out of the closet while playing an older ethnic Divine. But, that’s a complaint for another day.
Cult director Todd Graff works his best to make the material sing, however it borders on turning into an exploitation flick. When you throw so many broad elements together and mix them in a way that it just plays as a BET version of Glee, you hit a wall. That wall is called, why can’t people of color have a movie without forcing a magical negro into the mix? I’m not saying that the film gets Bagger Vance bad, but it borders on the syndrome at times. It’s hard to sell a music-based film with kids without stepping on the toes of other giants. However, you can stay small and maintain your identity.
“Joyful Noise” is a cheerful mix that tries to break up the winter monotony. That alone will be enough to entice the target audience out into the winter cold. But, everyone else would be wise to avoid it. A movie that refuses to tug at the mind is one that doesn’t deserve your attention. However, I do see a wonderful drinking game emerging when the movie hits Home Video. If you take a shot everytime that Queen Latifah does her best Florida Evans impersonation, you’ll be dead of alcohol poisoning by the film’s end.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
