Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uplifting but cliched film has great songs, bland story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Joyful Noise
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this movie blends uplifting themes of faith and love with humor, but it also contains unexpected content such as sexual innuendos and strong language, which may not align with traditional expectations for a family or Christian film. While some praise its positive messages and focus on real-life challenges faced by individuals of faith, others express concern that the inappropriate scenes detract from its overall message and may not be suitable for younger viewers.
- uplifting themes
- mixed content
- strong language
- not family-friendly
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 15 kid reviews
What's the Story?
The Pascashau Divinity Church Choir is on the way to the regional sing-off championship, but there's dissension in the ranks. Newly appointed director Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) insists on sticking to the tried-and-true spirituals, but rival G.G. (Dolly Parton) wants to add some more modern sounds. The conflict gets even more heated when G.G.'s grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan), comes to visit and is immediately smitten with Vi Rose's teenage daughter, Olivia (Keke Palmer). Will they work out their differences before the big competition, or will their messy conflicts undermine the choir's performance?
Is It Any Good?
If JOYFUL NOISE had just been a concert film -- rather than a hybrid struggling for cohesion -- it would have been a great movie. It's feel-good, and the uplifting song-and-dance numbers are great. But the movie falls flat with messy storytelling and edits, lack of focus, and a case of too-many-plotlines-spoil-the-broth-itis. It clearly means well, but it's predictable and cliched.
Which is a shame, because the cast has so much potential. Queen Latifah completely sells her role as a single mom who can express everything she feels with a nod and a shrug, and Parton is (as always) fun to watch as a folksy spitfire who loves to speak her mind. Newcomer Jordon also stands out, with a strong singing voice and a natural way with the camera. Too bad the script doesn't give any of them enough to work with.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Joyful Noise's messages. What do you think filmmakers want audiences to take away? How can you tell?
Are the characters (particularly the teens) believable? Do you think their decisions are relatable?
Talk about the relationship between Olivia and her mother. Why are they fighting? Is it possible they're both right?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 13, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : May 1, 2012
- Cast : Dolly Parton , Kris Kristofferson , Queen Latifah
- Director : Todd Graff
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language including a sexual reference
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate