Warning: I am kind of unfairly in hate with this movie through no fault of its own. I accidentally deleted this entire post after it was all written, photo'ed and scheduled to publish. Argh. In the process of rewriting and reconstructing the likely disposability of it all became aggravating. But I sally dolly forth!
When i hear the rare words "new musical" I immediately perk up. But, given the difficulties of making a good one, the perking-up is chased by a flurry of "who? when? what kind? how so?" panic. Have you even heard of this new film from Todd Graff starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah? It's called Joyful Noise. If it's as fun as Burlesque -- which it will inevitably be compared -- than we're in for a treat.
Don't let that screencap fool you. Though this appears to be a jukebox musical in which only already famous songs are sung (argh! the sub genre has replaced its parent genre entirely) Dolly will not be singing the Ultimate Gay Showtune "I Am What I Am" from La Cage Aux Folles even though I could totally see Queen Latifah as George and Dolly would make a great "Zaza".
In fact, I misheard the line. She actually says "I am who I am" to which Queen Latifah mouths back.
Maybe you were five procedures ago."
Um. Ha ha?
Let's watch the trailer and break it down with our Yes No Maybe So™ system after the jump.
YES
- Well Dolly is Dolly whether we're talking five procedures ago or five procedures hence.
- Remember how adorable Keke Palmer was in Akeelah and the Bee? (sorry that I have not seen her work since but I'm not watching those Madea movies.)
- Um... people are singing.
NO
- The jokes such as they are seem altogether predictable and moldy.
- Why must the plot involve a singing competition? Singing competitions are practically mandatory every night of the week on the small screen now and you can watch those for free. Movie musicals should be larger and less reality-show-contest feeling.
- Unless the trailer is constructed really oddly it seems like they're singing Michael Jackson's sentimental 1987 epic "Man in the Mirror" AFTER making the case that they shouldn't be singing old songs. Is "Man in the Mirror" meant to be cutting edge and modern? If so: Yikes.
- I don't want to get killed for this in the comments but Queen Latifah strikes me as a lazy actor, ever coasting on her (considerable) charm.
- Opening in January. UhOh.
MAYBE SO
- The success of this movie -- provided it's not doomed in the script stage -- will totally depend on chemistry. Are Dolly & Queen funny together? Will Jeremy Jordan and Keke Palmer work as the young romantic couple. You can't tell these things from trailers usually.
- Dolly will always be Dolly and the excessive plastic surgery on her is an easier sell than on most celebrities since she's always been a self-actualized cartoon... but how will the new face look blown up on the big screen? Dolly was once a very good actor [She's better than Oscar-nominated Julia Roberts in "Steel Magnolias". Discuss] but if you rest you rust...
- Todd Graff's Camp was kinda fun.
So you tell me: Yes, No, or Maybe So? Are Dolly and Queen Latifah favorites of yours? Have you ever sung in a church choir? Should they scrap this and just remake La Cage Aux Folles?
Previously on "Yes, No, Maybe So"
Dragon Tattoo | J. Edgar | Damon at the Zoo