I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I first saw the previews for Joyful Noise featuring a Dolly Parton/Queen Latifah collaboration. Granted they’re both unbelievable talents in their own rights, but I was of the opinion that this unlikely pairing seemed to be a desperate Hollywood attempt to get middle America rushing to the box office. Well it worked, because I went right out and saw Joyful Noise opening weekend.
After having seen the film I can say that Joyful Noise is indeed a “delightful sight.” Parton and Latifah work so well on screen that I hope they go on to make Joyful Noise 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. While the plot is nothing new to movie goers, the underdog prepares for the big competition as egos get in the way, this film is loaded with laugh out loud one-liners and touching sentimental moments. There were a few scenes where even I teared up a bit. It uses the “Glee” formula to tell the story through dialogue interwoven with songs showcasing the casts’ talent. I would dare say that youngins Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan nearly steal the show but that would be undermining the fact that Parton and Latifah ARE the show. And who would of thought to put Kris Kristofferson in a movie these days? Even if it is for only five minutes of screen time.
So is it worth $9.50 to see it on the big screen? Well, let me just say, you can’t put a price on seeing Dolly Parton cover Chris Brown, can you?
And now the stuff gay people like:
- Dolly Parton
- Dolly Parton’s “specially” tailored choir robe (okay, well I guess older straight men might like this too, but it’s fahbulous!)
- Queen Latifah
- Queen Latifah’s making snarky remarks about Parton’s plastic surgery
- Jeremy Jordan has one shirtless scene (we don’t have to feel guilty because despite the fact he’s playing a teenager, the actor himself is in his mid-twenties).
