The movie Joyful Noise opened at the box office this weekend and I couldn’t wait to see it, and I did! The main reason I wanted to see this movie was that it has two strong women playing the lead roles. I couldn’t comprehend Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah disappointing me, and they didn’t! The title Joyful Noise can be taken literally in this case. Joyful Noise is a flick with themes of family, Christian values, high-energy and joyful gospel music, teamwork, and forgiveness. This movie is as refreshing as a cold glass of iced tea on a scorching summer day! You will walk away from this movie feeling better than when you went in.
With all of these positive things said, the movie is not without some humanistic flare in the storyline. There are a few contemporary naughty words and a couple of sexual inferences, but this movie in comparison to every other movie on the screen, Joyful Noise is a clean, wholesome movie for everyone. And like life, the characters have a few valleys to go through before they reach the top of the mountain.
The Storyline of Joyful Noise
Set in Pacashau, Georgia where the economy has tumbled, the town is in need of something to work for and believe in. Vi Rose Hill (Latifah) and G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) vie for the job of choir leader. They both want to lead their Divinity Church Choir to a victorious win at a national competition and lift the spirits of the citizens of Pacashau.
Vi Rose wins the job of choir leader and this leads to the two women having a little difference of opinion as to what the choir’s style of music should be heading into the competition. This butting of heads between the two divas provides much of the humor in the movie.
Vi Rose and G.G. are two very different ladies and each is jealous over the other for reasons I won’t divulge. Vi Rose has a chip on her shoulder and tends to hold on to her two kids too tight, stifling their self-confidence and creativity. Her son Dexter has Asperger syndrome and struggles with why God made him this way. The daughter Olivia feels invisible and doesn’t recognize her God-given talent.
Randy, the grandson of G.G. comes to live with his feisty grandma and he and Olivia fall for each other, but they hit a roadblock from Vi Rose, Olivia’s strict mother. Randy is considered a hoodlum by Vi Rose, but he is a redeeming character who does a lot of good in several situations throughout the movie.
Will the divas forgive and overcome their jealousy? What is the chip on Vi Rose’s shoulder? Will the Divinity Church choir win at the competition? Will Dexter get his answer from God about his Asperger’s? What happens to Randy and Olivia’s relationship?
There are many more aspects and memorable characters in the movie but I want to give you just enough plot to whet your appetite for more so you can see for yourself!
Joyful Noise is worth seeing if you are one of us who still like movies that teach values, have purpose, and is not afraid to promote faith in God.
References:
Personal viewing
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