Review: "Joyful Noise"

Film And DVD Reviews by Phil Boatwright

Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Dexter Darden. Warner Bros. Musical/comedy/drama. Written & directed by Todd Graff. 1/13/12

FILM SYNOPSIS: Two women, one a mother of two teenagers, the other a widow of the recently deceased choir director, join forces to save their small-town gospel choir.

REVIEW: Well, if you’re going for the great acting or the complex storyline, you may be disappointed. But if you’re expecting Ms. Dolly and the Queen to be in top quip-spotting form and you’re excited to hear some rousing music, most of which pays tribute to the Christian faith, then you’re in for a treat.

There is the occasional obscenity, mainly several s-words, and a couple of comic comments that border between bawdy and trailer park, but overall, there’s a spirit of, well, joy, in the production. I was somewhat put-off by the amount of bickering and the swearing coming from choir members, as well as the casualness with which one unwed couple jumped into the sack (we see them the morning after). But perhaps that’s a reality found in many churches. What pleased me was the fact that despite their differences, the main characters came together, proving that their faith had taken hold, causing them to put others before their own selfish desires.

There are several films now out such as Melancholia and We Need to Talk About Kevin that will test your ability to process doom-and-gloom. And crude comedies and actioneers that go boom abound. So it’s nice to find a film that doesn’t assault your senses, but rather, uplifts the spirit. Joyful Noise is a feel-good, popcorn-munching, toe-tapping pleaser.

PG-13 (there are a couple of bawdy sexual remarks; several minor expletives, including damn and hell and pissed-off, as well as seven uses of the s-word and two negative words referring to a woman, but there is also a statement against the use of obscenity in everyday conversation; a fist fight that bloodies a nose, but later the two become friends; it is implied that a couple sleep together; some teen kissing). Intended Audience: Family, older children and up

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DEFINITIONS

Profanity – God’s name followed by a curse or the abusive use of Christ’s name

Obscenity – a swear word, indecent language

Expletive – minor curse words such as damn or hell

Crudity – vulgar, often coarse situations or dialogue dealing with bodily functions

Adult Subject Matter – situations or subjects unsuitable for or difficult to comprehend by children