Review: 'Joyful Noise' not perfect, but pleasant

The cast of "Joyful Noise" could sell just about anything. Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Jeremy Jordan and Keke Palmer are all so dang talented, you can bypass the overly sugary sentiment of this feel-good film, and just sit back and enjoy the ride. Yes, truth be told, there are times when "Joyful Noise" reeks of made-for Christian Broadcasting Network television, but there's nothing wrong with some family fare giving R-rated action flicks some competition.

Part "Glee" goes gospel, part "Footloose," it's the story of the little choir that could. The small, economically challenged town of Pacashau, Ga., has one thing to pin their hopes on: That Divinity Church Choir will bring home first place in the National Joyful Noise Competition and add some life to the dead-end town. But there's dissention in the ranks, and less-than-perfect harmony as two of the choirs biggest divas are at odds.

Newly appointed choir director, Vi Rose Hill (Latifah), believes that tradition will win the blue ribbon, while G.G. (Parton) wants her grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan) to put a bit of zing into the tired standards. Add to the mix bad-boy Randy's crush on Vi Rose's daughter, Olivia (Keke Palmer), another talented choir singer, and there's plenty to stoke the fire.

Parton gets the most laughs with some country-fried turns of phrases including "Don't you look as happy as a puppy waggin' two tails?" and there are other memorable one-liners including a swipe at a country tradition: "You're so country, you've been married three times and you've still got the same in-laws!"

The film veers off its holier-then-thou track when it shows a supporting character waking up in another choir members' bed after a night romp only to discover that she's killed him, and a shirtless Randy putting the moves on Olivia.

"Joyful Noise" is pure cookie cutter, and writer-director Todd Graff has the formula down to a science. To the filmmaker's credit, "Joyful Noise" doesn't pretend to be something it's not. Just like Dolly Parton's character, G.G. tells Vi Rose: "Well, I am who I am." (Vi Rose's response is another one of those zingers peppered throughout the film. "Well, maybe you were... five procedures ago!")

While the script never really sings, the incredible music and amazing arrangements -- gospel takes on Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," the Beatles' "Maybe I'm Amazed" and Sly and the Family Stone's "Higher" -- will knock your socks off. "Joyful Noise" is about those high notes.