Joyful Noise is a 2012 American musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Graff. Vi Rose Hill (
Queen Latifah), a newly appointed gospel choir director, clashes with G. G. Sparrow (
Dolly Parton), the widow of the previous choir director. Budget cuts threaten to shut down the choir, but the members hope that if they can win the national Joyful Noise contest, the choir can stay operational. G. G.'s drifter grandson Randy Garrity (
Jeremy Jordan) prepares more contemporary arrangements that he thinks will improve the choir's chance of winning, but Pastor Dale (
Courtney B. Vance) refuses to sponsor them unless they use the same traditional arrangements that they used in previous competitions. In the meantime, Randy falls in love with Vi Rose's teenage daughter Olivia (
Keke Palmer) and starts giving piano lessons to her son Walter (
Dexter Darden), who has
Asperger Syndrome.
Joyful Noise contains examples of:
- Cat Fight: G. G. and Vi Rose get in one at the restaurant where Vi Rose is working her second job as a waitress. Vi Rose is fired over it.
- Church Lady: G.G. and Vi Rose.
- Dad the Veteran: Vi Rose's husband Marcus served in the military when he was younger, and reenlisted for a second term after losing his job.
- Dying Town: Many of the businesses in Pacashau have shut down.
- Food Slap: G. G. throws first water, then rolls at Vi Rose during their fight.
- Funeral Cut: The previous director came down with a heart attack, and the film immediately after cuts to his funeral.
- Groin Attack: When Randy gets in a fight with another boy named Manny, Walter helps Randy win by punching Manny in the crotch.
- Hates Being Touched: Walter doesn't like any form of contact more intimate than a handshake.
- Hypocritical Heartwarming: Olivia gets angry at Randy for calling her mom the Wicked Witch of the West, even though she's used worse insults.
-
One-Hit Wonder: Walter is obsessed with these. His favorite is "Walk Away Renée." - Out with a Bang: Choreographer Earla worries she's fallen victim to this trope after an out-of-shape older man has a heart attack in his sleep right after a one-night stand with her.
- Shirtless Scene: Randy gets one after his fight with Manny.
- Sitting on the Roof: Walter does this sometimes.
- Start My Own: Choirs aren't allowed to compete in Joyful Noise unless they're sponsored by a minister, so when Pastor Dale refuses to sponsor the choir, G. G. gets herself ordained as minister via an online program and sponsors them herself.
- Sunglasses at Night: Walter wears sunglasses at all hours due to his sensitive eyes.
- Title In: Bernard Sparrow's funeral opens with a caption saying "Pacashau, Georgia."
- Vanity License Plate: G. G.'s license plate says GRGS GMA (Gorgeous Grandma).
