Movie, Joyful Noise, to Be Released January 13, 2012

Having had the chance to be in a small group listening to Dolly Parton make an advertisement about her theme park, Dollywood, I tend to follow her life from time to time. I noted recently that she has made a new movie, her first since 1992 when she starred in Straight Talk. I am intrigued!

Icon Dolly Parton has teamed up with Queen Latifah in the big screen film, Joyful Noise, to be released January 13, 2012. This musical is set in the small town of Pacashau, Georgia, at its Divinity Church. Law and Order: Criminal Intent’s Courtney B. Vance stars as “Pastor Dale” who is leading his flock during hard times. The Divinity Church choir director recently died and Queen Latifah decides to take over the choir and lead with a traditional Gospel music style. The director’s widow played by Dolly Parton, as G. G. Sparrow, is unhappy as she was not given the leadership position. They must get along somehow as the church and the townfolk need their inspiration to win a competition. The church choir decides to participate in the National Joyful Noise Competition “to lift their spirits”. The first time they compete, the judges want to sleep. Before the next competition to be held in Los Angeles, these two powerhouse musical stars must find a way to cooperatively lead the choir. Both have a lot of quips throughout the movie. IMDB reports these include “Latifah throws quite a few zingers at Parton like “quit it with those nails, Edward Scissorhands” and “maybe you were five procedures ago” when Parton shouts, “Well I am who I am.” The best may be Parton’s quip that “God didn’t make plastic surgeons so they could starve.”

Both Queen Latifah (Chicago and Hairspray) and Dolly Parton (Transamerica, Steel Magnolias, and Nine to Five) are Oscar® nominees who are sure to bring fun and sunny praise music to the big screen despite the screenplay having been written to include disharmony between these two stubborn women that often stymies the spirit of cooperation and harmony needed.

Queen, as Vi Rose Hill, wants to hold on to tried-and-true traditional songs. Parton, as G.G. Sparrow, opts for songs that are not tired-and-old. No matter how much their humorous conflicts spark the screen, these women are sure to have me laughing and will bring joy to my spirit and hopefully those of every audience!

Adding to the music and humor are G.G.’s grandson, Randy Garrity, played by Jeremy Jordan and his heartthrob Vi Rose’s daughter, Olivia Hill, played by Keke Palmer of Akeelah and the Bee. Is Dolly really old enough even on screen to have a grandson!

The screenplay is written and directed by Todd Graff and the movie is produced by Alcon Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. Kris Kristofferson joins in the merriment as Bernard Sparrow. Mervyn Warren, a five-time Grammy Award Winner is the composer for the film’s score which includes music from many genres, including gospel, R&B, country (of course), and pop. Dolly, who is an amazing songwriter crafted “Not Enough (Love)” and “From Here to the Moon” as well as “He’s Everything.”

The film Joyful Noise promises to be a feel-good, chick-flick kind of movie for me. Even though I know I should never ever sing even in the shower, I will no doubt be humming during the movie. Join me!


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *