Joyful Noise (2012)
Posted: 01/28/24 12:56
[CHOIR SINGING INDISTINCTLY]
[CHOIR SINGING]:
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
There's no room for hating
A heart full of kindness
How long will it take, then
For that to ring true?
Our chances are fading
Just stop all this blindness
A new world is waiting
For us if we do
But there's not enough love
in our hearts
Not enough love in our hearts
They write songs about it
They put it in movies
Our life would be better
With just enough love
- Still, we tend to doubt it
- Still, we tend to doubt it
- Though sometimes it moves us
- Though sometimes it moves us
- We settle for little
- We settle for little
When we could have much
'Cause there's not enough love
In our hearts
[G.G.]: No, no
There's not enough love
There's not enough love
There's not enough love in our hearts
- There's not enough love
- There's not enough love
- There's not enough trust
- There's not enough trust
- And it doesn't keep us apart
- Keep us apart
- There's not enough caring
- There's not enough sharing
- Too much "me, me, me" and
- Too much double-daring
- There's too much delaying
- Oh, and not enough praying
I'm just saying It's not enough
Oh, no
I'm just saying It's not enough
Oh, oh!
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough trust
- Let's build a foundation
- And change situations
- Strive for salvation
- Heed this revelation
Fall on your knees
And avoiding temptation
I'm just saying
It's just not enough
[BERNARD]:
Unh!
- No, it's not enough
- It's not enough
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
[GRUNTING]
Not enough, not enough
Not enough trust
- Not enough love
- Come on
Not enough love
- Darling, what's the matter?
- I'm okay.
- It's nothing.
- Something's wrong.
- I know you better than that.
- Vi, take over for me.
[SINGING]
Passion in your hearts now
Come on, I'm taking you home.
- Down in our hearts
- Down in our hearts
- Not enough love
- Not enough love
- Down in our hearts
- Down in our hearts
- Not enough love
- Not enough love
- Down in our hearts
- Preach, choir
- Not enough love down in our hearts
- Speak on it, hey, hey, yeah
[GOSPEL MUSIC
PLAYING ON ORGAN]
Friends...
we are here today to celebrate
the memory of Bernard Sparrow.
Beloved husband, cherished father
and grandfather.
With his last breath...
he led our choir to victory
in the regional semifinals.
Let the church say "Amen".
[ALL]:
Amen.
Bernard loved life. And he knew
how to live it. Isn't that right, G.G.?
The man had five kids.
He must've loved something.
[ALL LAUGHING]
God judges a man on two things...
and two things alone.
On his faith...
...and on the contents of his heart.
Amen.
And, Bernie, we will miss that heart
each and every day.
Ah.
- Please.
- Thank you.
[PASTOR DALE]:
Mm-hm.
Oh, it was a beautiful memorial service,
Pastor.
I saw your boys, but not your daughter
and her family.
Well, God gives you girls so your mama
can say, "I told you so".
The only thing
that would've made it perfect...
would've been
if the choir had sung.
- But then there was no one to lead them.
- I think I know where this is going.
You need to replace Bernie
as soon as possible...
so we can continue
in the competition.
I think he would've wanted that.
- Oh, I agree.
- Good.
Because the church council
has already discussed it...
and we've decided to offer
the position to Vi Rose Hill.
Vi Rose?
Well, I mean, nothing against Vi Rose,
but I helped prepare every arrangement.
I helped choose every song.
Vi Rose has been second-in-command
for a long time now.
Well, it is your decision, of course.
We're very appreciative at the church
of your generous support.
In fact, I don't think we'd be able
to stay open without you.
But...
...that's our decision.
[WOMAN HUMMING]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Caleb, what is your country ass eating?
- Pig and pickle mash. You want some?
- Ugh, get that mess out of my face.
Caleb, you are so country...
you have been married three times
and still have the same in-laws.
Ha-ha! She said he been married
Small town, big family.
That's just the law of averages.
He said,
"That's just the law of averages".
Devonne...
- do we look deaf to you?
- Oh!
[DOOR OPENS]
Hey, there she is.
[APPLAUSE]
All right, heh, all right.
But, altos, y'all have to look at me
when y'all singing.
I know y'all feeling the spirit, but Jesus
don't know where the cut-offs are.
Look, you all sing
as well as I know you can...
and we finally gonna whoop
Baylor Sykes...
and that Detroit choir
in the national semifinals.
Pfft. We've been saying that
for four years.
Devonne, save time, see it my way.
[WOMAN]:
Ooh.
Look, y'all, I know y'all miss Bernie.
So do I.
Those are some mighty big shoes to fill.
But I like to think he is right
on my shoulder...
...guiding my hands, urging us on.
What do y'all say?
Y'all with me?
[CHATTERING]
- Pacashau, y'all with me?
- [MAN 1]: We with you.
[CHATTERING]
[WOMAN]:
Yeah.
- [MAN 2]: Pacashau.
- [MAN 3]: That's what I'm talking about.
Well, don't you look as happy
as a puppy wagging two tails.
[VI ROSE]:
I did not ask to be made choir director.
Please, Vi, I have known you
for a minute.
The council chose me over you.
When foxes pack the jury box,
the chicken's always guilty.
And when folks get too wrapped up
in themselves...
they make very small packages.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES]
Olivia, go check on your brother.
He better not be in that car.
What are you doing out here?
It's freezing.
Why do you have those sunglasses on?
You look like Mary J. Blige.
- Light hurts my eyes.
- It's dark.
Mary J. Blige had many hits.
But I prefer one-hit wonders,
like Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Uh-huh.
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING
OVER CAR SPEAKERS]
- What's up, Olivia?
- Hi, Manny.
You ever go anyplace
besides school or church?
- I only see you at one or the other.
- I don't know.
Hey, you think you and me
can go out sometime?
- I'm not allowed to date.
- You're 16.
I'll be a perfect gentleman.
I respect women. For real.
Is this your guitar?
Brand-new Gibson. You want to see it?
Well, hello, Manny.
You know, 30 more feet...
...and you'd actually be inside the church
instead of loitering outside.
Mama.
- I told you to find your brother.
- I did. He's in the car.
I can give her a ride home
after rehearsal, Miss Hill.
I don't doubt that you can
or that you will.
Just remember, there's always
free cheese in the mouse trap.
But trust me, the mice there ain't happy.
Walter. Inside, now.
[GLASS CLINKING]
[BANGING]
Aah! Grandma. Wait, it's me.
Randy?
Surprise.
[WOMAN]:
Mm-hm.
[CHATTERING]
Randy, you need to put that thing away.
I'm sorry. Sorry.
- You are in the house of God.
- Yeah, okay.
Now sit down there so I can
keep an eye on you.
Can I help you?
Excuse me, Miss Earla.
But when y'all sing, the angels
just about spit with envy.
Thank you, Mr. Hsu.
You have a very nice tenor voice
yourself.
You got some big old lungs on you too.
You don't mind my saying?
He just call you big?
You just call me big?
[VI ROSE]:
Y'all know what y'all doing, right?
- You know what you're doing? Y'all ready?
- [MAN]: Yes, ma'am.
[BAND PLAYS CHORD]
[SINGING] Gonna make a change
For once in my life
All right, now, you're singing too wild.
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
Okay, this is why I shouldn't have
let y'all talk...
me into doing pop songs in church.
Don't you bring that Mariah/Christina
mess up in here.
I don't care about hearing you.
I want to hear God through you.
[BAND PLAYS CHORD]
As I turn up the collar
On my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their need?
A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other
On the wind, you know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
[CHOIR]:
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message
Could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take at look at yourself
And then make a change
Oh
Nanana, nanana, nana, nana
Oh, yeah
I've been a victim of
A selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
[CHOIR]:
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be, really me
Pretending that they're not alone
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
[CHOIR]:
A washed-out dream
They follow the pattern
Of the wind, you see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message
Could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself
And then make that
- Change
- I'm starting with the man in the mirror
Oh, yeah
I'm asking him to change his ways
- Change
- No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself
And then make the change
You gotta get it right
While you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart
Then you close your mind
Starting with the man in the mirror
Oh, yeah
- I'm asking him to change
- [OLIVIA]: Yeah
Change
No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself
And make that change
Nanana, nanana, nana, nana
Nanana, nanana
- Yeah
- Oh, yeah
- Oh, oh
- Nanana, nanana, nana, nana
I'm gonna make a change
- For once in my life
- Ooh
[RANDY CLAPPING]
Whoo! Are you kidding me?
Make some noise up in this b*tch.
[ALL GASP]
Heh, uh...
Y'all remember my grandson, Randy.
Did you hear what that boy said?
And in a house of God.
Boy, the apple don't fall far
from the family tree.
- I thought it was funny.
- Oh, you did, huh?
You know, his mother
threw him out the house in New York.
That's why he's at G.G.'s house.
And what did G.G. do to that robe? Getting
it all fitted and taken in like that?
Like she's better than everybody else
just because she's rich.
[COUNTRY MUSIC
PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
That woman, I swear.
Did you see the way she looked at you?
Like Jesus left a will
putting her in charge.
I think you have to maintain a certain
speed or you actually go back in time.
And how much did she spend
on all that?
You stay away from that boy is all.
- Tsk.
- Don't suck your teeth at me.
He been trouble since he was 5 years old
and made you eat that goldfish.
Talking about that's where
the little crackers come from.
- Mama.
- Don't think he don't have...
some new goldfish either.
People don't change,
especially in that family, okay?
[G.G.]: And I saw the way
you were looking at Olivia Hill.
You date that little girl, Vi Rose
will just about lay square eggs.
Be worth it.
Hey, now, we're all going around
to the pastor's for lunch on Saturday.
So you behave.
[KAJAGOOGOO'S "TOO SHY"
PLAYING ON RADIO]
Hey girl
Walter, Olivia.
You're gonna be late for school.
You're too shy shy
Hush hush, eye to eye
Too shy shy
Cover yourself.
Eye to eye
Too shy shy
Walter.
[WALTER]: I was in my room
listening to "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo.
One-hit wonders are unfairly maligned.
I'm fond of "Walk Away Renée"
by The Left Banke.
Walter, I swear your train of thought
makes all local stops.
Go ahead, eat your breakfast.
- Mail came.
- [OLIVIA]: Give me mine.
Okay, take it easy.
The man writes every week.
You act like it's the Fourth of July.
Why don't he just text or e-mail
like everybody else?
Mm.
Bow your heads.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this food
which we are about to receive.
Love letter?
From my father.
He's stationed at Fort Kail.
Oh, I thought he got out of the Army.
- He went back.
- Pssh.
Don't know why anybody
would wanna leave you.
You grew up like you were
on fast-forward.
Like one of them stop-motion
movies of flowers.
Please.
And the way you sing. Oh!
I used to think
church music was all corny,
and then you get up there
and it's like:
[IMITATES expl*si*n
THEN CHUCKLES]
- I never heard anything like that.
- Mm-hm.
Hey. You know I'm a musician too.
What do you say, huh?
We hit the road, start a band...
make some babies
that look exactly like you.
[OLIVIA LAUGHS]
Oh, you got a nice smile. Always di...
- Oh.
- Oh, my gosh, are you okay?
I have to go.
I'm gonna be late for school.
- Wait, hey. Can I meet you after?
- I have choir practice.
Oh, I'm gonna get in that choir.
- [OLIVIA]: Right.
- You'll see.
[SNIFFS]
Mm. That's nice.
That is a lovely hat, Vi Rose.
Thank you, Pastor.
I didn't expect anyone to notice.
[SCOFFS]
Like your hair, G.G. You worried
you're not gonna be seen from space?
[RANDY]:
Could you pass the butter, please?
[PASTOR DALE]: Feels downright strange
sitting here with y'all and not Bernie.
- He was our rock.
- Thank you, Pastor.
I keep looking out my window expecting
to see him out on that big old porch.
But, so far,
he hasn't made an appearance.
Times like these,
we feel his loss even more.
[VI ROSE]:
Amen.
[PASTOR DALE]:
So, Vi, how is Marcus keeping himself?
Just fine, thanks.
to be away.
Crazy, you ask me.
I mean, who rejoins the Army
for a second time at age 35?
Someone who's out of work
and wants to feed his family.
[VI ROSE]:
All right, Olivia.
- And wants to serve his country.
- It's confusing, that's all.
- What you trying to say?
- [G.G.]: Well, it's not just me.
The whole town's confused.
It's none of this town's business
about me and my husband.
Well, it is a small town, Vi.
And people do care.
And if you don't like that,
maybe you should move to New York.
My mama told me if people swept
in front of their own doors...
- this whole world would be clean.
- Hell, yeah.
- What?
- Ha-ha.
Apologize for your language,
young lady.
I'm sorry.
It was just surprising when he left.
That's all.
Yeah, to all of us.
There have been more
one-hit wonders in hip-hop...
than in the entire 30 years of music
that preceded it.
All right, Walter.
My particular favorite is
"Walk Away Renée" by The Left Banke.
[SINGING] Just walk away, Renée
You won't see me...
When Walter gonna sing, ain't nothing
you can do but sit back and enjoy it.
The em...
He gets a little nervous around people.
I think it's time to say grace.
[WALTER BANGING ON PIANO KEYS]
Dear Lord, we come before you...
Walter, Pastor trying to say grace.
Excuse me.
Walter, you okay?
You know, there's nothing to be nervous
about. Everybody here loves you.
Uh, can I try?
There's nothing you can do when he's
like this. It's his Asperger's syndrome.
- I don't like to be touched.
- I won't touch you. Uh, look.
Hey, I will sit all the way down here.
Okay?
Okay, good. Now just play that note.
This one. Right there.
[HITTING NOTE]
Good. Good. Okay, now, just do it in time.
That's good. That's perfect. That's great.
Okay, now, keep doing that.
[RANDY PLAYING
"WALK AWAY RENÉE" ON PIANO]
[SINGING] Just walk away, Renée
You won't see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block
Are not the same
You're not to blame
That's "Walk Away Renée".
Hey, you know, um, if you want,
I could give Walter piano lessons.
Walter, would you like that?
[RANDY LAUGHS]
Come on.
Here you go.
You go out there and win
that competition, you hear?
We're counting on you.
Ah, there but for the grace of God.
Amen.
I worry about my job at the hardware store
and my boss is my own father.
Well, like he always says, people always
need a hammer or a doorknob.
[SINGING]
I'm in love with a stripper
She poppin', she poppin', she rollin'
She drivin' that pole
[BOTH]:
And I'm in love with a stripper
[RANDY]:
She trippin', she trippin', she playin'
I ain't goin' nowhere, and I'm stayin'
I'm in love with a stripper
She poppin', she poppin', she rollin'
She drivin' that pole
What? I'm in love with a stripper
She poppin', she poppin', she rollin'
- [WALTER]: I'm in love
- [RANDY]: I'm in, I'm in love
With a stripper.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[SYKES ON RECORDING]:
Do it right now. Come on and pray.
[OLIVIA]: Baylor Sykes
and the Holy Vision Church of Detroit.
They're the reason
we never make it to the finals.
They always beat us at regionals.
- Why don't you do songs like this?
- Can you imagine? With my mother?
[RANDY]:
So how long until regionals?
Two weeks.
I should go.
If she knew I even came out here
to sit with you, she'd explode.
Will I see you tomorrow?
See you when I get home from school.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Don't look at my butt. I'm a good girl.
- Stop it.
- Ha-ha-ha.
- You wanna join the choir?
- Yes, ma'am.
He's a good singer, Mama.
A great singer.
Yeah, when he's singing about
being in love with strippers.
I mean, do you know any decent songs?
Because they don't have to be corny.
How about, um,
Sly and the Family Stone?
[SINGS]
I want to take you higher
Do you even know who Sly Stone is?
[VI ROSE SCOFFS]
You just wanna be near my little girl.
[OLIVIA]:
Just listen to him, Mama.
- He is good, Vi.
- [VI ROSE]: Yeah, how would you know?
We've been sneaking in
some extra rehearsals.
Excuse me?
We wanna win, Vi.
- Come on, give him a chance.
- [MAN]: Go ahead, Vi, give him a shot.
[VI ROSE]:
I'm sorry.
I'd call you stubborn,
but that'd be an insult to mules.
Heh, oh, she said she'd call her
stubborn, but it'd be a insult...
Vi, don't deny him
just because he's my grandson.
[DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES]
[MAN PLAYING PAUL McCARTNEY'S
"MAYBE I'M AMAZED" ON PIANO]
[SIGHS]
[SINGING]
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You love me all the time
And maybe I'm afraid
Of the way I love you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You pulled me out of time
You hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
I really need you
Maybe I'm a girl
Maybe I'm a lonely girl
Who's in the middle of something
That she doesn't really understand
Maybe I'm a girl
And maybe you're the only one
Who could ever help me
Hey, won't you help me understand?
Ooh, help me understand
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You're with me all the time
And maybe I'm afraid
Of the way I need you, yeah
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You help me sing my song
Right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
I really need you
Yeah
Maybe I'm a girl
Maybe I'm a lonely girl
Who's in the middle of something
- Oh
- That she doesn't really understand
[HUMMING]
Maybe I'm a girl
Maybe you're the only one
Who could ever help me
- Oh
- Hey, won't you help me understand?
- Ooh, help me understand
- Help me understand
[CHOIR]: Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You love me all the time
- Love me all the time
- Maybe
Maybe I'm afraid of the way
I love you
Ooh
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You pulled me out of time
- [OLIVIA]: Ooh
- Yeah
- [CHOIR]: Maybe
- Maybe I'm amazed at the way
I really need you
Maybe I'm amazed
Maybe I'm amazed
Maybe I'm amazed
Oh!
Oh, maybe I'm amazed
- By you
- By you
- Amazed
- Amazed, amazed
- By you
- By you
[APPLAUSE]
[LAUGHING]
[RANDY]:
Come on.
Oh! Ah! That was amazing.
[LAUGHS]
It was like...
it was like you knew everything
I was gonna sing before I sang it.
Well, we rehearsed all week,
so it's not magic.
It was magic.
You felt it too, I know you did. Heh.
What?
My mother says when I sing,
I should just be the instrument...
not try to be more important than God.
But singing is the only time
I feel important.
Where I don't feel like I'm this close
to disappearing.
I don't know,
I guess I'm just being prideful.
Hey.
So what?
You deserve to be as proud
as you can be.
Seems to me your mother
doesn't tell you that near enough. Heh.
Hey, well, I'll tell
you, I am proud of you.
And I would be very upset
if you disappeared.
Young love.
I haven't been with anyone
in three years.
Four.
[CHUCKLES]
[LOU RAWLS' "YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER
LOVE LIKE MINE" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
As long as you live
Someone who loves you
Tender like I do
You'll never find
Oh.
No matter where you search
Someone who cares about you
Wakey-wakey, Mr. Hsu.
The way I do
I made you a big breakfast.
Mr. Hsu?
Oh, Mr. Hsu.
I'm the one who loves you
And there's no one else
No
Mr. Hsu.
God.
[SOBBING]
Cherish the brief time
you and Mr. Hsu had together...
rather than weep for his loss.
That's not why I'm crying.
Oh.
- Why are you crying?
- Well...
what man's ever gonna
wanna be with me after this?
From now on, I'll just be known
as the girl who, you know...
Tap it and die.
- I hear that.
- No.
Go, go, go. She wakes up
if I breathe funny in the next room.
- Hey, Vi Rose, I have your daughter.
- Stop. That's not funny.
- Don't wake up, I'm stealing her.
- Stop.
[R&B PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
I'm gonna keep you dancing
Baby, all night long
Drop it nice and low
Take it to the floor
Let me see you work it
What you working for?
[MANNY]: If I didn't see it with my
own eyes, I wouldn't believe it.
Olivia Hill and not a pew in sight.
Come on, Manny, I wanna dance.
Don't talk to me like you know me.
I just met you 10 minutes ago.
You look pretty.
Would you like to dance?
I'm sorry, son.
She promised this dance to me.
Baby girl, you're with me
'Cause you're beautiful
Got it going on, baby
From head to toe
And I'm gonna take you home
If you don't wanna go
I still have you on my phone
- I can't, Randy. I don't know how.
- Yes, you do.
I know you dance all alone
in your room to your radio.
Got a little stuffed animal going:
[GRUNTING]
You wanna be a church girl
the rest of your life?
There's so much more to you than that.
Come on.
Baby girl, you're with me
'Cause you're beautiful
Got it going on, baby
From head to toe
And I'm gonna take you home
If you don't wanna go
I still have you on my phone
'Cause I like the way
You like to dance with me
And I like the way you looking
In them jeans
And I wanna take you home
If you don't wanna go
I still have you on my phone
Let me get your bedpan.
Okay, here we go. Okay.
It's okay. It's all right.
[SIGHS]
Hey.
Lazy bum.
It's time for your lesson.
No one wants to hang out with me.
That's not true.
I like hanging out with you.
You're like the only guy friend
I have here.
I don't wanna be like this, you know.
To have no idea
when people are joking...
...or when they want me to shut up
and leave them alone.
I think everything's fine...
...and then they leave a tissue
full of shit in my locker.
There are always gonna be jerks
that wanna treat you badly.
I mean, my mother called me stupid
so many times...
I finally believed her and quit school.
Hey.
Crazy or not, you're an awesome kid.
I mean, you're scary smart.
You picked up the piano
like you have alien magic powers.
And...
And I'm really glad I met you.
- Randy?
- Yeah.
Part of my condition is I can't tell
when people are coming on to me.
I'm sorry. Okay, I'm sorry.
Hey. You know what I think?
I think we need more than
a piano lesson today.
- [WALTER]: Hey, Randy.
- [RANDY]: Yeah.
[WALTER]: I just realized we're lying
on the left bank of the quarry.
And The Left Banke
is the name of the band...
who recorded "Walk Away Renée".
They spelled "bank" with an E.
You know how you don't know when people
want you to shut up? Shut up, Walter.
[GRUNTS]
[SINGING]
[ECHOING]
[RANDY CHUCKLING]
Come on, you try it.
- No.
- Come on.
[SINGING]
[ECHOING]
[RANDY LAUGHS]
[RANDY]:
Damn, you can sing, boy.
You know, you should join the choir,
Walter, or at least play with the band.
I can't. It's too loud. It hurts my ears.
See, that's just an excuse you use
so you don't have to be around people.
You're afraid you're gonna be embarrassed
or rejected. But you are strong, talented.
And I need a friend there...
to stand with me
against your psycho mom.
[LAUGHS]
[SINGING] That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
[BOTH]:
That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
- [RANDY & WALTER]: That woman is crazy
- [MANNY]: That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
- Didn't know anyone else came here.
- What do you want?
Me? Nothing.
Got a problem
you wanna iron out with me?
I don't know who you think you are, son,
coming into town, hitting on Olivia.
She don't mean nothing
to you but a challenge.
The challenge is everything.
You're the one
that don't mean nothing to me.
[BOTH GRUNTING]
[RANDY]:
Come on.
[MANNY]:
What are you doing? Huh?
Unh! Quit hitting me in the nuts.
[GRUNTING]
Yeah!
Yes!
[BOTH YELLING]
That was great.
[RANDY AND WALTER WHOOPING]
What happened? You okay?
- We beat his ass, Mama.
- You got into a fight?
He saved my life.
You'd have been proud of him.
Answer me. Somebody hit you?
He didn't get the chance. I was too fast.
Too fast? Look at you. Go to your room.
Whoo-hoo! Ha-ha.
- What happened?
- It wasn't a big deal.
Actually, you'd have been proud.
He didn't have to talk about one-hit
wonders or worry about being touched.
I mean, he saw me in trouble
and he just went for it.
Know what? You a falling-rock zone.
And anybody who stands
too close to you...
...is gonna have a whole mess of rocks
fall on them too.
He's fine. He's better than fine.
He's proud.
Look at him. He feels like a man
for the first time in his life.
That's not how I want my son
to feel like a man.
- Where's Olivia?
- Never mind about Olivia.
Get out of my house.
- Mama, no.
- I told you to go.
I'll deal with you in a minute.
[WALTER BANGING ON PIANO KEYS]
She can't keep me from seeing you.
She was just angry. She'll get over it.
Why am I defending her?
She wants to control my life.
It must k*ll her that she can't
control Walter's too.
What kills her is feeling guilty
for Walter's condition.
That's why she holds y'all so close.
Maybe too close.
There I go again.
Is there such a thing as being
too good a Christian?
Because that just may be my problem.
I wish you really knew my father.
He's the total opposite of her.
Well, then I know who you take after.
I'll just leave this right here.
Excuse me.
Whoa!
- Back to your corners.
- All right.
This is not gonna turn into that
in my house.
And get your little butt off my table.
That's where I eat.
[APPLAUSE]
[CHOIR SINGING]
[AUDIENCE CHEERS]
[ANNOUNCER]: Welcome to the
Joyful Noise Regional Finals.
And now, four-time champion
Holy Vision Church of Detroit...
featuring Baylor Sykes.
[CHOIR SINGING]: Hey, hey, hey
Thought I had it together now
Hey, hey, hey
Thought I could handle the weather now
Hey, hey, hey
Thought I'd make it on my own
Hey, hey, hey
But now I see I was wrong
- Hey, hey, hey
- [SYKES]: Ow!
I think the same when you're not with me
Hey, hey, hey
I feel the change when you're near me
Hey, hey, hey
I'm not afraid to be strong
Hey, hey, hey
I know I'm never alone long
Uh!
When no one's around
And the rain's falling down
You cover me
Hey! Do I have a witness
out there somewhere?
On that side? Let me hear you.
When my days turn to night
Will you rescue me?
I hope they see
Oh, Lord, not again.
Those aren't the same singers
from the clip online.
And if they say:
And if they say I'm crazy about you
I just want everybody to see
Ha! Hallelujah.
Maybe they are just that good.
I just want you to see.
I just want the whole world to see
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- Jesus, I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
His love is deep till the end...
They'd have to rehearse
like eight hours a day.
Don't these people have jobs
or families?
So the whole world can see
- Can see
- Let me hear you.
Y'all ready?
- Ow!
- Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
On that side, sing.
Hey, hey, hey
- Whoo!
- Can't make it without you
Clap your hands.
- Ain't a good day without you
- Come on.
And if they say I'm crazy about you
I just want everybody to see
When they look at me.
When they look at me
I hope they can see
- I gotta tell the world, y'all.
- I just want the whole world to see
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
Jesus, I'm in love with you
Uh, uh
Listen here, listen here I say
You've been good
I'm in love with you
You've been kind
I'm in love with you
You've been great
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
Yeah!
Let's go.
Whoo!
[AUDIENCE CHEERING]
[VI ROSE]:
Cheer up. We can't win them all.
They're just disappointed.
We all are.
You know, Pastor,
I been thinking about this a lot.
I think next year, we need to do
more traditional songs.
Like, not so many horns.
Not going to be any next year, Vi.
It's official.
- [ALL]: What?
- It's too expensive and we always lose.
[MUTTERING]
I'm sorry.
I don't consider making it to the regional
finals anything to be ashamed of.
Of course not. But every year?
- Wait, really?
- [MAN]: What?
We didn't before that.
The money is best used elsewhere.
Well, it's not about winning or losing.
It's about giving our town
something to believe in.
A reason to drive 300 miles and have
a little something to cheer about...
instead of sitting home,
watching everything fall apart.
It's about praising his name.
And we can praise his name on Sunday
in our own church.
I didn't create this economy.
It's been settled.
[G.G. EXHALES SHARPLY]
[BOY ON TV]:
P is for polar bear.
Did you see her face when we lost?
She was actually surprised.
- She be saying "less horns" when...
- Olivia, do the voice.
[IMITATING VI ROSE] Less horns.
[LAUGHING]
[IN NORMAL VOICE]
When what she needs to do...
is get rid of the tired
old-timey arrangements...
- and let you get your hands on them.
- Mm-hm.
And let Earla choreograph us
some moves.
Ah, like that's gonna happen.
It could. We just have to convince her,
that's all.
All right. Keep your voice down.
- She's at work. She can't catch you here.
- You're scaring the animals.
See, they're all staring at us.
- It's because you're so hot.
- Shut up.
[LAUGHING]
Look at the yak.
He's totally into you.
Come on.
What do I have to do to cheer you up?
Huh?
[BOY SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON TV]
[RANDY SIGHS]
- Hey. Hey. Come on. Let's go.
- Go where?
Come on. Don't you worry
about where we're going.
- Don't take my blanket, I'm comfortable.
- Don't care. Give me your hand.
- Where?
- Ha-ha-ha. Don't worry about it.
- Come on.
- [OLIVIA]: If we go outside,
- I need my shoes.
- Okay, I got them.
- [OLIVIA]: Where we going?
- I told you, on a date.
A date where? We left town an hour ago.
It's a surprise.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
My mother's gonna k*ll us both.
At least we'll die together.
[RANDY CHUCKLES]
- She could be somewhere dead in a ditch.
- Oh, don't be so dramatic.
There's no reason to think like that.
Kids run off all the time.
Mostly, they come right back.
It's not like Randy's never pulled
a stunt like this before.
This is your fault.
You brought that hoodlum into our lives.
- No wonder his parents kicked him out.
- You don't wanna go there, Vi.
The best thing you can do
is just go about your business.
I... I will call you
as soon as I hear anything.
Go about my business?
Yeah, right.
Hey. Hey, wake up.
Daddy?
You called him?
I took a pretty big chance here.
I'd really appreciate it if you'd smile.
[CHUCKLING]
[SINGING] Just walk away, Renée
[MARCUS]:
Oh...
You won't see me follow you...
That's his favorite song.
Hmm.
- How's your mama?
- She's changed, Daddy.
Don't blame your mama for that.
Being left alone can change anybody.
I was the one that ran out.
Randy, can you give us a minute?
I'll be outside.
[MARCUS]:
Look.
I could've stayed.
Now, Olivia, listen to me. This ain't
a easy thing to say to your daughter.
I could've tried harder.
The truth...
is I couldn't... I couldn't face
knowing that I failed your mama.
No job, no money.
I saw it every time she looked at me.
I know that look.
No, no, no. She was sweet back then.
You remember how she used to be.
I thought the only thing I could do for
y'all was leave and send a paycheck home.
Your mama...
...is the best person I ever met.
And it took being away from her
to realize that.
And now I need you to love her.
And love her hard.
Because I don't think
she's gonna want me again.
And that...
That is a hard thing to live with.
That's not true. She always watches
those home movies with you both dancing.
And I see the way her face looks
when we read our letters.
She tries to fight it,
but I know she misses you.
What letters?
Baby, I haven't sent any letters.
I think your mama
must have been writing them.
I'm sure she thought
it was a good thing.
I have to get back.
I want to be with you.
Baby, I ship out soon.
It's my job.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SIGHS]
You worried?
Me too.
Did you know gospel is the only
musical genre with no one-hit wonders?
No.
Why you love gospel so much, Mama?
Why you ask?
Because I just don't understand
what's so great about God.
You don't mean that.
Seems like he don't do much
around here that I can see.
Give me those glasses.
Let me see that sweet face of yours.
Baby, you have to think of God
as a parent.
You know when I punish you
or make you eat your greens...
you may not like it, but you know
I love you, no matter what, right?
Right.
Even if you don't understand
why I do what I do.
Well, just like I'm your mother,
God is our father...
and we have to have faith because
we know he loves us, no matter what.
But...
But what, baby?
You spend all your time...
singing songs and praising God...
and he's who did this to me.
He made me this way.
If you loved me, you'd hate him.
- I do.
- No.
- I hate him. I do.
- Walter. Don't say that, Walter.
I just wish I could be normal...
...for you, Mama.
For me?
Baby, you don't have to be anything
except exactly who you are.
I love you.
Come here, come here.
[VI ROSE SIGHS]
They broke the mold
when they made you.
And when someone don't fit
into a neat little box...
...the answer ain't to squeeze them
in there even harder.
You build a bigger box.
sh**t, God don't make no mistakes, Walter,
and he ain't about to start with you.
[VI ROSE HUMMING]
[SINGING] Fix me, Jesus
Fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Fix me, Jesus
Fix me
Fix me for my home on high
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me for the by and by
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me for my starry crown
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me for a higher ground
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me, Jesus
Oh, fix me
Fix me, Lord.
[SIGHS]
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
[VI ROSE]:
Don't do anything stupid over there.
You've never been the bravest man.
Don't abandon that quality now
that it can actually do you some good.
Now, most husbands
would take offense at that.
[VI ROSE]:
Be safe.
[ENGINES STARTING]
[VI ROSE]: You gotta know this
is gonna be the longest ride of your life.
Why'd you lie to us?
What, just because he didn't write?
He left to support us.
You think every man who's out of work
leaves their family for two years?
Leaves their wife at home
to raise two kids alone?
Maybe that's the only choice
he saw.
Maybe it's the only choice
he wanted to see.
Maybe he just wanted out.
He doesn't think you'd want him back.
That's what he told me.
Guess he was right.
Personally, if I were him,
that'd be music to my ears...
because I don't know who would
wanna come back to you.
[HORNS HONKING]
You will not talk to me like that.
You don't know the first thing
about our marriage, or any marriage.
Of course you adore him.
People who ain't around
make very few mistakes.
But he left.
Just remember that. He left.
You better control your mouth,
young lady.
And don't you dare say a word
to your brother.
[RANDY]:
Hey.
Hey.
Mm.
Well, you ain't walking too funny.
She couldn't have
whipped your ass that hard.
What, you're not talking to me?
You do know that you're not gonna
be able to keep that up, right?
She may be the wicked b*tch
of the west down here...
but take her to my neighborhood...
- she'd fold like a pair of twos.
- Don't you call her that.
What?
You say the same thing.
I can talk about her that way.
You can't.
I knew what she was like.
I shouldn't have let it get this far.
And I'm sorry I ever did.
My mother won't let me see you
anymore outside of choir.
What? No, no, no. Hey.
Don't follow me.
[RANDY]:
This is crazy.
I love you.
[SIGHS]
- You get my note?
- Mm-hm.
I got it.
Do you think that's an acceptable way
to say goodbye?
Randy, I'll drive you anywhere
you want to go.
No questions asked.
Even if it's out of this town forever.
But, hon, sooner or later,
you're gonna have to grow a set.
You can't spend your whole life running.
Why should I stay?
Vi Rose hates me. Olivia loves me,
but she won't go against her mother.
There is one other reason
you might consider staying.
- What is that?
- So you can sing with the choir...
...in the finals in Los Angeles.
That's right. Detroit got disqualified.
How come?
Because half their choir was made up
with paid professionals.
I knew they couldn't be that good.
How'd they get caught?
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
It was you, wasn't it?
Doing your little CSI:
Pacashau thing.
Well, you're darn tooting.
I mean, trying to fool me is like trying
to sneak sunrise past a rooster. Ha-ha.
[VI ROSE]:
Those weaselly, no-good cheats.
I tell you, you can't trust no one
outside of the state of Georgia.
How many times I tell you
and your brother that?
What you looking for?
I'm looking for the other choir
who made the finals in our category.
Don't you wanna know
who we going up against?
- Maybe you got it wrong, G.G.
- No.
Got it right here,
Our Lady of Perpetual Tears.
I ain't never heard of them,
and I heard of everybody.
They don't sound like
they'll be a barrel of laughs.
Must be good if they made it to finals.
It don't matter who they are.
Don't change what we do one bit.
We just go to Los Angeles and we do
our very best. That's all we can do.
What? What you two cooking up?
I may not be on the council,
but I am its largest contributor.
And I will see to it we get to the finals
under one condition.
Oh.
And what is that?
You have to do new songs,
and use Randy's arrangements.
It is the right thing to do, Vi.
Our town needs to win.
[OLIVIA]: Please, Mama,
for once, don't be stubborn.
You're the only one in the whole choir
who doesn't want to do it.
You're right.
So maybe I should be the one to leave.
Vi.
You'll finally be choirmaster.
I guess you finally got what you wanted.
[DOOR OPENS]
[SIGHS]
I guess people really can do
without a hammer after all.
[DISCO MUSIC PLAYING
OVER SPEAKERS]
[WOMAN]:
Hi, Miss G.G.
Vi, I had no idea
you had to take another job.
- You have to come back to the choir.
- I'm busy.
I don't know what
you're so ticked off about.
I'm the one that got passed over
for the job.
And now I'm asking you to take it.
You just don't like me, do you?
And you never really have.
Amen, sister.
Well, why? I'd like to know.
[VI ROSE CHUCKLES]
Why? Hmm.
Maybe it's the way you undermine me
or the way you tried to blackmail me.
Well, now, that was
a little shortsighted, I admit.
But sometimes a small sin is justified
in the pursuit of a higher purpose.
And that's another thing.
That condescending,
wise-old-owl thing you do.
It must really gripe your ass...
...to know there's somebody
that you can't charm.
"G.G.'s so hilarious, she's so earthy".
Well, I am who I am.
Maybe you were, five procedures ago.
Now you whoever you need to be
to make everybody love you.
"Oh, G.G.'s so larger than life".
Well, it pisses me off.
[GASPS THEN SPITS]
You want to know what pisses me off?
- Not particularly.
- [G.G.]: You are gonna hear it.
- It is your holier-than-thou...
- [VI ROSE]: Oomph!
pious, rigid...
self-righteousness.
Who gives a rat's ass
if I've got a few little nips and tucks.
God didn't make plastic surgeons
so they could starve.
But you could use a complete face lift.
I feel fine about myself.
Well, I don't see how you could,
you old, hateful heifer.
Your daughter didn't even come
to her own father's funeral.
You are so convinced your way
is the only way there is.
Infallible, untouchable,
unlovable Vi Rose Hill.
Quit it with those nails,
Edward Scissorhands.
When did you get so old?
You're 40, going on 100.
I'm old? You read the Bible to reminisce.
- [G.G.]: Ha!
- Yeah, what?
I'm talking about inside, Vi.
You are old inside.
- [VI ROSE]: Hmm.
- And I wish, just one time...
you'd try to see things
from my point of view.
I'd love to see things
from your point of view...
but I just can't seem to stick my head
that far up my ass.
Oh, you just...
- [MAN]: Hey, hey.
- I'm so sick of you, I could puke.
[BOTH GRUNTING]
- [G.G.]: Ow! Ow!
- [VI ROSE]: What?
You see, I tried.
She hit me with water.
- She hit me with rolls.
- [G.G.]: Let go.
You know the rolls
in here are hard as hell.
- [G.G.]: Stop it. Ow!
- See, get this. Get this.
Well, you're breaking my hair. Would you
stop. It took me a half a day to do this.
- I could tear this hair up right now.
- [G.G.]: Ah, don't.
Wouldn't you like that?
Wouldn't you like that, huh?
My doctor does good liposuction too,
if you'd like his card.
- Get this on there.
- I got it.
- Yeah. Put that online.
- [MANAGER]: Vi Rose.
Wha...?
- Ladies, that's enough. That is enough.
- [G.G.]: Ow!
What are we doing?
Well, I'll tell you what I'm not doing,
I'm not coming back to the choir.
Well, Vi Rose, you are fired.
- I'm fired?
- Yes.
You didn't...? Didn't you...? You...?
- This is all your fault.
- No, no. That's enough, that's enough.
[G.G.]:
Vi.
[PLAYING BALLAD]
[HUMMING]
G.G., we are not going out like this.
Not you, not me and not this choir.
Sweetheart, sometimes you just
have to know when to fold your cards.
Who are you?
You are not my gorgeous grandma.
[PLAYING BALLAD ON PIANO]
I know that song.
Yeah, I used to sing it
with your granddaddy.
Then he used to waltz me
around that big old yard.
I know how much you miss him.
God, it's just like my heart
don't beat right anymore.
It's like, when he was here,
I felt like I could just do anything.
Not now.
Can I hear the song?
No. It's a duet.
Well, I know it.
God knows I heard it enough times.
[PLAYING BALLAD]
[G.G. HUMMING]
[SINGING]
I could hold out my arms
Say, "I love you this much"
I could tell you how long
I will long for your touch
How much and how far
Would I go to prove
The depth and the breadth
Of my love for you?
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- Who else in this world
- Who else in this world
- Will love you like that?
- Will love you like that?
- Love everlasting
- Love everlasting
- I promise you that
- I promise you that
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
I want you to know
You can always depend
On promises made
And love without end
No need to wonder
How faithful I'll be
Now and on into eternity
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- Who else in this world
- Who else in this world
- Will love you like that?
- Will love you like that?
- Forever and always
- Forever and always
- I'll be where you're at
- I'll be where you're at
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
From here to the moon and back
[G.G. LAUGHS]
I would blow you a kiss
From the star where I sat
I would call out your name
To echo through the vast
Thank heaven for you
And to God tip my hat
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
And I'll spend forever
Just proving that fact
From here to the moon and back
From here to the moon
And back
[HUMMING]
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
[RANDY]:
You can still do anything.
You're damn skippy.
[RANDY LAUGHS]
[OLIVIA]:
Just stay for one rehearsal.
Those people worked so hard.
And your ego's letting them all down.
My ego?
Didn't you teach us to never quit?
Look at Walter. He'll have to go through
more than you and I will ever have to.
But he doesn't quit. Not ever.
Well, if you quit now,
you're quitting on God.
What's that supposed to teach him?
Okay. Five, six, seven, eight.
Pah, pah, pah, unh.
Okay, come on, G.G. Here we go.
Unh, unh, unh.
Okay, good. Let's go. Come on, Caleb.
[CALEB]: Earla,
you already k*lled one man.
I got high blood pressure too,
you know?
- [EARLA]: It's for the Lord, people.
- [ALL]: Pah, pah, pah, unh.
Come on. Yeah.
[ALL]:
Pah, pah, pah, unh.
Earla, get your Beyoncé out of my face.
It's coming down.
[WHISPERS] Pah, pah, pah, pah.
Oh, sorry. Just popping for the Lord.
[BAND PLAYING FUNKY MUSIC]
Our band is good,
but they ain't never gonna be great.
Not without some help.
- What do you want?
- You. And your guitar.
You must be out your mind.
I heard you play all my life.
All those summer house-party jams.
You're incredible, Manny.
You know we're going to L.A., right?
Thousands of people in the audience.
Someone could hear you
who might actually matter.
That ain't never gonna happen
in Pacashau.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
Okay, stop, stop, stop.
I'm not feeling it, Earla.
Maybe what you need
is something to feel.
Yo, what's up?
[PLAYING ROCK SOLO]
[BAND PLAYING FUNKY MUSIC]
[OLIVIA]:
Oh!
You're the man.
[OLIVIA LAUGHING]
[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[G.G.]:
Oh, yeah, that's easy.
- Whoo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
- [DEVONNE]: Mm-hm.
[G.G.]:
Aah!
[VI ROSE]: This morning,
the choir's got...
something a little different
to sing for y'all.
[PLAYING UPBEAT FUNK SONG]
[OLIVIA SINGING]:
Oh
Do you know what
What you mean to me?
My world was turning upside down
I would've been so lost without you
You are all that perfect love should be
[CHOIR]:
You came and saved me from myself
You leave him to me.
- This is bigger than a notion
- Notion
- Freely give you my devotion
- Uh-huh
Never thought I'd find someone
Who loves the way you do
- [CHOIR]: It does so much, I wanna tell it
- [DEVONNE]: Uh-huh
[CHOIR]:
Feels so good, I wanna yell it
I surrender everything I am
To you and only you I'm yours
Let me guess,
you didn't like it.
Frankly, I'm surprised at Vi Rose.
Oh, don't blame her. Randy had to drag her
kicking and screaming.
- So it was his doing.
- Well, it was everyone's doing.
The choir goes back to its old style
or I withdraw the competition application.
And as for Randy,
we just can't take a chance.
You don't want Randy in the choir?
There's too much at stake.
I've known that boy his whole life.
He's just had a couple
of bad breaks, is all.
He kidnapped Olivia Hill.
Oh, they ran away.
They came right back.
He completely changed
the way the choir sings.
- Who knows what he'll do next.
- We'll lose, Pastor.
Why, I love those old songs
better than anybody.
I helped Bernie write them.
But Randy's right,
we gotta shake them up.
Without being sponsored by a church,
you cannot perform.
Those are competition rules.
Well, you withdraw your support...
...you leave me no choice
but to withdraw my support.
If you know what I'm saying.
He's my family.
Well, I suppose you'll have to follow
your conscience...
and I'll follow mine.
Oh, I shushed those loud boys
during your sermon.
I told them people were sleeping.
[EARLA]:
California, here we come.
[CHATTERING]
I don't know why we're even bothering
without Randy.
And singing those old arrangements.
- Ugh.
- Ugh.
You all right?
It seems like God's using me
for target practice these days.
Makes it kind of hard to feel the spirit.
Caleb, he is God.
If he wanted to sh**t you,
he wouldn't miss.
Heh, trust me,
you'll feel his spirit again.
And when you do, you'd better look out.
[VI ROSE LAUGHS]
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
[SNORING]
What's going on? Did you just hit me?
You were snoring.
So? I got a lot to snore about.
Where you going?
To the bathroom.
With your shoes on?
Get back in the bed.
Olivia Hill, don't you walk out that door.
I'm not a kid anymore.
Only kids say that.
You make me run,
it'll be the last thing you do.
Can you actually believe I'm gonna
let you wander the streets by yourself?
- Something could happen to you.
- Like you care.
- And what is that supposed to mean?
- It means you hate me.
Anybody would think you were dropped
on your head. Get back in that room.
You do. You hate me. Don't deny it.
Now, I know it feels like Randy
is the sun and the moon...
...and the stars all wrapped up
in one right now but, baby, look around.
Nobody ends up with the boy they liked
when they were 16. You'll get over him.
This isn't about that.
I told him I don't want to see him anymore
because you made me.
This is about me.
- Why do you think I hate you?
- Lots of reasons.
- Name one.
- Because I'm pretty.
- Heh, excuse me?
- Don't bug your eyes out at me.
You hate that I'm pretty,
because you don't feel pretty.
I defended you to Randy.
But now, I'm just trying to cut through
the bullshit, Mama. Once and for all.
You know how sad that is?
For you to feel that way about yourself?
You are the only one
you hate more than me.
No matter how much you sing
that church music...
...God doesn't seem interested
in helping you out with that.
Don't you bring God into your ugly,
petty, adolescent bullshit.
That's right, I can cuss too.
Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.
It's lazy and it has no class,
but it's not hard.
- You think I'm not pretty?
- I didn't say that.
I am an incandescent, board-certified
supermodel, baby.
I happen not to flaunt it
because I am a married woman...
...and I would never disrespect my husband
the way you just disrespected your mother.
But beautiful as you are,
and you are very, very beautiful...
...I would hang mirrors all over my house
if I could, just to look at myself.
I'd put one on the refrigerator just to
watch myself eat all of them calories.
And if I gave myself a heart attack from
all that food, I'd just give myself CPR.
Because I'm a nurse.
That's right, I save lives.
And that is not bullshit.
Now I am through talking to you
for the foreseeable future...
so my advice to you would be to get your
little narrow behind back in that room...
get back in that bed,
and you treat my snoring
like it is a Marvin Gaye love song.
That's right, you respect my snoring.
Because it comes from exhaustion.
From working hard to put food in you
and your brother's stomachs...
and every stitch of clothes
on y'alls' backs.
Get in that room.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SIGHS]
You didn't have to stay behind for me.
Oh, I didn't.
I'm flying out with the pastor.
I don't think I could do three days cooped
up in a bus with those hot messes.
But I'm not done yet. I've been calling
every church in this town...
...trying to see if I can get
somebody else to sponsor us instead.
- And?
- Well, no luck so far.
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
I keep trying to think
what your granddaddy might do.
He'd probably say not to put yourself
through this anymore.
I mean, he loved that church,
but he loved you more.
What'd you just say?
I said he loved that church,
but he loved you more.
[LAUGHS]
He loved that church,
but he loved me more.
Bernie, you old son of a Baptist.
I read you loud and clear. Ha-ha.
I know what to do.
I know what to do.
[YODELS]
- Stop.
- I know what to do.
[G.G. LAUGHING AND YODELING]
I know what to do.
Really?
We're in Los Angeles. There's the sign.
[CHATTERING]
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
Hey, good morning, Pastor.
[PASTOR DALE]:
What are you doing here?
- What's that?
- Well, it's Randy's ticket...
to the Joyful Noise finals.
It's the certificate
for the establishment of a church.
[G.G.]:
That's right.
Did you know that anyone can become
legally ordained as a minister?
You can do it online,
just takes five minutes.
Pastor G.G.
Has a nice ring to it, don't it?
The competition folks
don't care what church sponsors...
as long as somebody does.
Well, I'd prefer to be sponsored
by this church.
But I told you once before,
I will not let you screw with my family.
Now, we have exactly
one hour and 47 minutes...
to drive 92 miles to the airport...
if he's gonna make it
in time for the show tonight.
Oh, don't do something
we're gonna all look back on and regret.
Oh, my God, we're never gonna make it.
Step on it.
If we have an accident,
we'll certainly never make it.
- Are you crazy? Step on the gas.
- Well, fine.
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Pacashau Choir, your dressing room's
gonna be on the other side of the stage.
[WOMAN]:
Oh, look.
[MAN]:
Oh.
People are gonna fill all those seats?
No.
Go for house lights.
People are gonna fill all those seats.
Lunch is being set up in the foyer.
[CHATTERING]
- Um, is this seat taken?
- Only by you.
How do you do?
I'm from Pacashau Sacred Divinity Choir.
Earla Hughes.
[CLEARS THROAT]
He had high blood pressure.
[MAN]:
That's weird.
Hey, are you okay?
It's all right.
Mr. Hsu was the first man
I had been with in four years.
Do you think God was trying to punish me
because we weren't married?
Girl, if that's how he operated...
most men would be dead
by their senior year in college.
You are a beautiful, intelligent woman.
And I know you will meet
a wonderful guy.
I'll tell you what. If you're right,
I'll dance a jig and do a split.
[LAUGHS]
She said if I'm right,
she gonna do a split.
[LAUGHING]
I'd like to see that.
Look. Look.
[EARLA GASPS]
[EARLA]:
Let's go. Let's go.
[ALL CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]
[BAND PLAYING UPBEAT GOSPEL MUSIC]
[AUDIENCE CHEERING]
[WOMAN]:
Ladies and gentlemen...
welcome to the finals
of the National Joyful Noise Competition.
Y'all ready? Here we go.
[SINGING]
Take a load off your mind
Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story
Ride the mighty high
Take a load off your mind
Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story
Ride the mighty high
I really liked your choir.
I thought you guys were good.
Let's, uh, find somewhere we can talk.
Can I give you some advice?
Don't stay mad so long at your mama...
...and go get that boy.
Trust me, your mama will get over it...
...and you'll both forget what it is
you got mad about to start with.
- I'm afraid it's already too late.
- No, the clock ain't run out yet.
He's still seeing you like a little girl.
You gotta show him a woman.
[SINGING]
Come on and ride the mighty high
Y'all ready to hear some
good music tonight?
- Come on and ride the mighty high
- Ride the mighty high
Because there's some folks back there
who are ready to sing for you.
[GUITARS TUNING]
You look amazing.
[CLICKING FINGERS]
[G.G.]:
Mm-hm.
[WARBLING]
[MAKES HIGH-PITCHED NOISE]
[CONTINUES WARBLING]
[MAN CLEARS THROAT]
[MAN]:
Excuse me, Miss Hughes?
Oh...
They're my warm-ups.
I like to do: "Toy boat, toy boat,
toy boat, toy boat".
- Mm-hm.
- My name's Justin.
Hi. Earla Hughes.
I know who you are.
I've been following your choir
from competition to competition.
- Why would you do that?
- For you.
Wow, that really made it sound like
you need a restraining order.
It was only two competitions.
And I happened to be in Georgia,
because I'm moving there for work.
Look, I know I don't know you...
but you just seem so...
special.
Is that creepy?
This may seem like a strange question...
but you don't have high blood pressure,
do you?
That is a strange question, but no.
I'm healthy as an ox.
- Ah...
- People in my family live to be 90.
[DEVONNE LAUGHING]
Uh-uh!
[DEVONNE LAUGHING]
[WOMAN SINGING]:
Come on and ride the mighty high
If you're in trouble
Come on and ride
The mighty high
[APPLAUSE]
Oh, my God, you're all grown-up.
How did I not notice?
- This must be for that boy.
- Like you care.
Hey. It gives me no joy
to see you unhappy.
Don't you know that?
I love you.
And I'm very, very proud
to be your mother.
And you love me too.
Otherwise you wouldn't
be hugging me right now.
- I'm not hugging you.
- Any second now.
Don't try to fight it.
You know it's gonna feel so good.
[VI ROSE CHUCKLES]
There we go.
[LAUGHING]
- I'm sorry, Mama.
- [VI ROSE]: Oh...
- I don't know what's wrong with me.
- Girl, you 16.
And let's face it, your life
has been no day at the beach.
[WOMAN OVER LOUDSPEAKER]:
Please welcome our first finalist...
from Pensacola, Florida...
That's our competition.
[WOMAN]:...
Our Lady of Perpetual Tears.
[GOSPEL MUSIC PLAYING ON ORGAN]
[BAND BEGINS PLAYING]
[SINGING]
Why can't we be humble
Like the good Lord said?
He promised to exalt us
And show us the way
Why are men so greedy?
[G.G.]:
They're kids?
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Are you hearing that kid?
[ALL SINGING]:
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way God wants it
- To be
- He wants it to be
- Ooh
- Be, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- [BOY]: Oh
- Yeah, oh
[CHOIR]:
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way
- He wants it to be
[BOY]:
He wants it to be
Oh, you gotta believe
Let not your heart be troubled
Let all your suffering cease
Just learn how to help one another
And live in perfect peace
If we just be humble
Like the good Lord said
He promised to exalt us
And show us the way
- That's the way God planned it
- That's the way
That's the way God wants it to be
- [CHOIR]: Ooh
- [BOY]: Hey, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
- Oh, I want you to know
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way he wants it to
- He wants it to be
- To be, hey, yeah, yeah
- Yeah, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, oh
- That's the way he planned it
The way he want
[BOY]:
He wants it
[CHOIR]:
They way he planned
- [BOY]: So you best be humble
- Like he said
- [BOY]: You better make it happen
- Like he said
He planned it
[CHOIR]:
The way he want
- He wants it
- The way he planned
- You need to love your sister
- Like he said
- You need to love your brother
- Like he said
- So let's help each other
- Like he said
And live
I hope you get the message
Where you won't Somebody will
You may not understand me
But I will love you still
- That's the way
- That's the way
God planned it
- That's the way God wants it to be
- Ooh
- Hey, yes, it is, hey
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
[CHOIR]:
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way God wants it
- He wants it to be
He wants it to be
God loves you.
That's the way he wants it
That's the way God planned it
[BOY]:
That's the way
- Hey, yeah, he wants you to be
- Ooh
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
- Hey! Yeah!
That's the way God planned it
He wants it to be
[BOY SPEAKING IN TONGUES]
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
- [BOY]: That's the way
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- That's the way he planned it
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- You gotta believe it
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- You gotta be humble
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Oh, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- That's the way
- That's the way
[CHATTERING]
There's no way.
I mean, we've come this far.
Okay. Okay. All right.
It's not fair. How are we supposed
to compete with that?
Especially doing our old, tired songs.
[CHATTERING]
And even if we win, we're beating a bunch
of little kids. It don't feel right.
[CHATTERING]
"Don't feel right"?
What are we gonna do?
I mean, what are we gonna do?
[CHATTERING]
Hey.
I don't believe what I'm hearing.
You're getting all squishy and sentimental
over a bunch of 12-year-olds? Now?
They knew what they
were getting into.
Their parents signed
the permission slips.
This is the big time, baby.
Didn't Jesus say
"suffer the little children"?
Yes, he did.
They're young. They're resilient.
They'll get over it.
We deserve this.
Now y'all can donate
to Save the Children later.
Become a Big Brother, whatever.
But today, we are gonna go out there
and we are gonna win this thing.
Come on, y'all. Let's go.
This is Pacashau. What would Bernie do?
Come on, now.
[CHATTERING]
[ALL CHANTING]:
Pacashau. Pacashau.
[APPLAUSE]
One, two.
[CHOIR SINGING]:
Not enough, not enough, not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Stop. Stop, stop, stop.
It's not enough love.
It's not enough love.
The Lord is worthy to be praised,
is he not?
[ALL]:
Yes.
I said the Lord is worthy to be praised,
isn't he?
[AUDIENCE]: Yeah.
[VI ROSE]:
So here's what I'd like to do.
I'd like to take them
just a little bit higher in here.
[CHOIR]:
Yeah!
Come on, now, you understand me.
Can we take them a little bit higher?
[ALL]:
Yeah!
Do y'all mind if we lift him up
and take y'all higher?
[CHEERING]
I don't know what they're doing.
Follow my cues, give them everything.
Give me some of that Sly Stone funk.
[CHATTERING]
One, two, three. Huh!
[CHOIR SINGING]: Boom lakalakalaka
Boom lakalaooga boom
[BAND PLAYING SLY & THE FAMILY STONE'S
"I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER"]
[AUDIENCE CHEERING]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Feeling's getting stronger
Music's getting longer too
[OLIVIA]:
Music is the flesh in me
He wants to He wants to
- He wants to take you
- [CHOIR]: Higher
Yeah, yeah
- He'll take you
- Higher
- Ooh, if you let him
- He will light your fire
[OLIVIA]:
Your fire, yeah
- He'll take you
- Higher
He'll take you higher
Boom lakalakalaka
Boom lakalaooga boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[BAND PLAYING USHER'S "YEAH!"]
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah
Up in the church with my homies
Trying to get a little praise on
- But it keep it down on the low key
- Low key
'Cause you know how it is
I saw a shorty
She was checking up on me
From the game she was saying in my ear
You would think that she knew me
So we decided to chill
- The worship got heavy
- Heavy
- Got me feeling like I'm ready to blow
- Blow
- Oh!
- Oh!
- God's saying, "Come get me"
- "Come get me"
So I got down
And brought my knees to the floor
My knees to the floor
That's when I told God, I said:
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah
So I got down low
Said, "God, come get me"
- Yeah, yeah
- I got so caught up because God told me
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah
- Now, my god and I are the best of homies
- Yeah, yeah
Next thing I knew
I was all apart and screaming
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah
- Yes, I love you
- [RANDY]: Yes, I love you
- Yes, I do
- Yes, I do
- Won't you let me take you
- Won't you let me take you
[CHOIR]:
Higher?
Higher He'll take you
- [CHOIR]: Higher
- Higher, if you let him
[CHOIR]:
He will light your fire
He will light your fire
- Higher
- Higher
- Higher
- Higher
[CHOIR]: It's like
I've waited my whole life
For this one night
It's gonna be me, you and the good Lord
'Cause we've only got one night
Sing for his pleasure
Sing for his son and praise forever
- And ever
- Forever
And ever
- Forever
- And ever
Forever with the good Forever
- And ever
- Forever
- And ever
- Forever
And ever
Forever with the good Lord
I'm a beautiful lady
No ifs, ands or maybes
I'm releasing my heart
And I'm feeling amazing
There's no one else that matters
No, no, no
- He loves you
- He love me
- And he won't
- And he won't
Let you fall
- He will take you
- [CHOIR]: Higher
Oh, yeah
- He wants to take you
- Higher
- He will
- He will light your fire
Light your fire
- Don't you wanna go
- Higher
- Higher?
- Higher
Higher
[BAND PLAYING STEVIE WONDER'S
"SIGNED, SEALED DELIVERED I'M YOURS"]
Uh-huh, yeah
Like a fool
I went astray, O Lord
Now I'm wondering
If your love's still strong
Whoo!
- O Lord
- [CHOIR]: Here I am
Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours
Yeah Yeah, yeah
And that time I went and said goodbye
Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry
Oh, no, here I am
Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours, I'm yours
Here I am, Lord
- You know I'm here right now
- Signed, sealed, delivered
- You've got the future in your hands
- I'm yours
- Yeah
- [VI ROSE]: Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Here I am, Lord
- Here I am, Lord
- Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
- Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours
He wants to take you higher
Signed, sealed, delivered
Higher
- Take me
- I'm yours
- Higher
- He'll take you
- [CHOIR]: Signed, sealed, delivered
- [RANDY]: Higher, higher
I'm yours Higher
- Higher, higher, yeah
- Signed, sealed, delivered
- Higher, higher
- Oh, yeah, yeah
- Signed, sealed, delivered
- Come on
Signed, sealed, delivered
Higher
- Oh, yeah
- Higher
Higher
Signed, sealed, delivered
Higher, higher
Boom lakalakalaka
Boom boom boom
Higher, higher
Higher
[APPLAUSE]
[LAUGHING]
[MANNY]:
We did it. We did it.
- [VI ROSE]: Good morning.
- [CALEB]: Good morning, Vi Rose.
- [VI ROSE]: Good morning, winners.
- [EARLA]: Good morning.
[VI ROSE LAUGHS]
Let me help you with that.
[G.G.]: Thank you.
My head's still spinning from last night.
[G.G. AND VI ROSE LAUGHING]
I just wish Bernie
could've been here to see it.
- Oh, I think Bernie was here to see it.
- [VI ROSE]: Mm...
You may have noticed I don't do
particularly well with change.
That's because, in my experience,
it mostly takes a big chunk
outta your behind.
But not this time.
And that's due to Randy.
I will never forget
what he did for Walter.
- He's a good kid.
- Yeah.
And he didn't just lick it off the ground.
He had you.
And we owe you a lot too.
In fact, we owe you everything.
Don't make a face.
Oh. Look. Look at your daughter.
She's looking at Randy
like I look at cake.
Yeah, the kind that stays in your stomach
for nine months.
[BOTH LAUGH]
[ALL CHEERING]
You can close your mouth, Mama.
This ain't the first time we kissed.
[PEOPLE CHEERING AND CLAPPING]
[BAND PLAYING GOSPEL MUSIC]
[CHOIR HUMMING]
[SINGING]
I see him when the children are playing
I hear him when the church bells ring
On wedding days
- I feel him when the breezes blow
- Ooh, ooh
- Adore him where the flowers grow
- Ooh, ooh
We fear him when the oceans roar
- He's everything
- He's everything
[CHOIR SINGING]
He's everything
[CALEB]:
We're born, we live, we die
And life goes on
We love, we laugh, we cry
So forth, so on
- And we're a part of his creation
- Ooh, ooh
- Every person, every nation
- Ooh, ooh
- He's in every situation
- He's in every situation
[CHOIR]:
Everything
He's everything
Let's lift him up
Through everything
He's loving us
Is it asking all that much
That we should do the same?
So let us sing and raise our voice
Let us make a joyful noise
- Rejoice
- Rejoice and praise his name
- Rejoice
- Rejoice
- Sing it again
- Oh, rejoice
Rejoice His joy remains
He's everything
[CHOIR SINGING]
He's everything
He's everything
[G.G.]:
He's everything
Praise his name His holy name
He's everything
He's always loving us
We should show a little love
- In everything, everything
- [CHOIR]: Everything, everything
[G.G.]:
He's the God of hope and change
He's the cure for hurt and pain
You know he loves us all the same
- 'Cause he's everything, he's everything
- [CHOIR]: Everything, everything
[G.G.]:
In everything, he plays a part
Heals and mends our broken hearts
Restores us when we fall apart
- 'Cause he's everything, he's everything
- [CHOIR]: Everything, everything
So lift him up, rejoice, rejoice
Let us sing and raise our voice
And let us make a joyful noise
He is everything
[CHOIR SINGING]:
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
There's no room for hating
A heart full of kindness
How long will it take, then
For that to ring true?
Our chances are fading
Just stop all this blindness
A new world is waiting
For us if we do
But there's not enough love
in our hearts
Not enough love in our hearts
They write songs about it
They put it in movies
Our life would be better
With just enough love
- Still, we tend to doubt it
- Still, we tend to doubt it
- Though sometimes it moves us
- Though sometimes it moves us
- We settle for little
- We settle for little
When we could have much
'Cause there's not enough love
In our hearts
[G.G.]: No, no
There's not enough love
There's not enough love
There's not enough love in our hearts
- There's not enough love
- There's not enough love
- There's not enough trust
- There's not enough trust
- And it doesn't keep us apart
- Keep us apart
- There's not enough caring
- There's not enough sharing
- Too much "me, me, me" and
- Too much double-daring
- There's too much delaying
- Oh, and not enough praying
I'm just saying It's not enough
Oh, no
I'm just saying It's not enough
Oh, oh!
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough trust
- Let's build a foundation
- And change situations
- Strive for salvation
- Heed this revelation
Fall on your knees
And avoiding temptation
I'm just saying
It's just not enough
[BERNARD]:
Unh!
- No, it's not enough
- It's not enough
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
[GRUNTING]
Not enough, not enough
Not enough trust
- Not enough love
- Come on
Not enough love
- Darling, what's the matter?
- I'm okay.
- It's nothing.
- Something's wrong.
- I know you better than that.
- Vi, take over for me.
[SINGING]
Passion in your hearts now
Come on, I'm taking you home.
- Down in our hearts
- Down in our hearts
- Not enough love
- Not enough love
- Down in our hearts
- Down in our hearts
- Not enough love
- Not enough love
- Down in our hearts
- Preach, choir
- Not enough love down in our hearts
- Speak on it, hey, hey, yeah
[GOSPEL MUSIC
PLAYING ON ORGAN]
Friends...
we are here today to celebrate
the memory of Bernard Sparrow.
Beloved husband, cherished father
and grandfather.
With his last breath...
he led our choir to victory
in the regional semifinals.
Let the church say "Amen".
[ALL]:
Amen.
Bernard loved life. And he knew
how to live it. Isn't that right, G.G.?
The man had five kids.
He must've loved something.
[ALL LAUGHING]
God judges a man on two things...
and two things alone.
On his faith...
...and on the contents of his heart.
Amen.
And, Bernie, we will miss that heart
each and every day.
Ah.
- Please.
- Thank you.
[PASTOR DALE]:
Mm-hm.
Oh, it was a beautiful memorial service,
Pastor.
I saw your boys, but not your daughter
and her family.
Well, God gives you girls so your mama
can say, "I told you so".
The only thing
that would've made it perfect...
would've been
if the choir had sung.
- But then there was no one to lead them.
- I think I know where this is going.
You need to replace Bernie
as soon as possible...
so we can continue
in the competition.
I think he would've wanted that.
- Oh, I agree.
- Good.
Because the church council
has already discussed it...
and we've decided to offer
the position to Vi Rose Hill.
Vi Rose?
Well, I mean, nothing against Vi Rose,
but I helped prepare every arrangement.
I helped choose every song.
Vi Rose has been second-in-command
for a long time now.
Well, it is your decision, of course.
We're very appreciative at the church
of your generous support.
In fact, I don't think we'd be able
to stay open without you.
But...
...that's our decision.
[WOMAN HUMMING]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Caleb, what is your country ass eating?
- Pig and pickle mash. You want some?
- Ugh, get that mess out of my face.
Caleb, you are so country...
you have been married three times
and still have the same in-laws.
Ha-ha! She said he been married
Small town, big family.
That's just the law of averages.
He said,
"That's just the law of averages".
Devonne...
- do we look deaf to you?
- Oh!
[DOOR OPENS]
Hey, there she is.
[APPLAUSE]
All right, heh, all right.
But, altos, y'all have to look at me
when y'all singing.
I know y'all feeling the spirit, but Jesus
don't know where the cut-offs are.
Look, you all sing
as well as I know you can...
and we finally gonna whoop
Baylor Sykes...
and that Detroit choir
in the national semifinals.
Pfft. We've been saying that
for four years.
Devonne, save time, see it my way.
[WOMAN]:
Ooh.
Look, y'all, I know y'all miss Bernie.
So do I.
Those are some mighty big shoes to fill.
But I like to think he is right
on my shoulder...
...guiding my hands, urging us on.
What do y'all say?
Y'all with me?
[CHATTERING]
- Pacashau, y'all with me?
- [MAN 1]: We with you.
[CHATTERING]
[WOMAN]:
Yeah.
- [MAN 2]: Pacashau.
- [MAN 3]: That's what I'm talking about.
Well, don't you look as happy
as a puppy wagging two tails.
[VI ROSE]:
I did not ask to be made choir director.
Please, Vi, I have known you
for a minute.
The council chose me over you.
When foxes pack the jury box,
the chicken's always guilty.
And when folks get too wrapped up
in themselves...
they make very small packages.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES]
Olivia, go check on your brother.
He better not be in that car.
What are you doing out here?
It's freezing.
Why do you have those sunglasses on?
You look like Mary J. Blige.
- Light hurts my eyes.
- It's dark.
Mary J. Blige had many hits.
But I prefer one-hit wonders,
like Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Uh-huh.
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING
OVER CAR SPEAKERS]
- What's up, Olivia?
- Hi, Manny.
You ever go anyplace
besides school or church?
- I only see you at one or the other.
- I don't know.
Hey, you think you and me
can go out sometime?
- I'm not allowed to date.
- You're 16.
I'll be a perfect gentleman.
I respect women. For real.
Is this your guitar?
Brand-new Gibson. You want to see it?
Well, hello, Manny.
You know, 30 more feet...
...and you'd actually be inside the church
instead of loitering outside.
Mama.
- I told you to find your brother.
- I did. He's in the car.
I can give her a ride home
after rehearsal, Miss Hill.
I don't doubt that you can
or that you will.
Just remember, there's always
free cheese in the mouse trap.
But trust me, the mice there ain't happy.
Walter. Inside, now.
[GLASS CLINKING]
[BANGING]
Aah! Grandma. Wait, it's me.
Randy?
Surprise.
[WOMAN]:
Mm-hm.
[CHATTERING]
Randy, you need to put that thing away.
I'm sorry. Sorry.
- You are in the house of God.
- Yeah, okay.
Now sit down there so I can
keep an eye on you.
Can I help you?
Excuse me, Miss Earla.
But when y'all sing, the angels
just about spit with envy.
Thank you, Mr. Hsu.
You have a very nice tenor voice
yourself.
You got some big old lungs on you too.
You don't mind my saying?
He just call you big?
You just call me big?
[VI ROSE]:
Y'all know what y'all doing, right?
- You know what you're doing? Y'all ready?
- [MAN]: Yes, ma'am.
[BAND PLAYS CHORD]
[SINGING] Gonna make a change
For once in my life
All right, now, you're singing too wild.
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
Okay, this is why I shouldn't have
let y'all talk...
me into doing pop songs in church.
Don't you bring that Mariah/Christina
mess up in here.
I don't care about hearing you.
I want to hear God through you.
[BAND PLAYS CHORD]
As I turn up the collar
On my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their need?
A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other
On the wind, you know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
[CHOIR]:
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message
Could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take at look at yourself
And then make a change
Oh
Nanana, nanana, nana, nana
Oh, yeah
I've been a victim of
A selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
[CHOIR]:
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be, really me
Pretending that they're not alone
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
[CHOIR]:
A washed-out dream
They follow the pattern
Of the wind, you see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message
Could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself
And then make that
- Change
- I'm starting with the man in the mirror
Oh, yeah
I'm asking him to change his ways
- Change
- No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself
And then make the change
You gotta get it right
While you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart
Then you close your mind
Starting with the man in the mirror
Oh, yeah
- I'm asking him to change
- [OLIVIA]: Yeah
Change
No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself
And make that change
Nanana, nanana, nana, nana
Nanana, nanana
- Yeah
- Oh, yeah
- Oh, oh
- Nanana, nanana, nana, nana
I'm gonna make a change
- For once in my life
- Ooh
[RANDY CLAPPING]
Whoo! Are you kidding me?
Make some noise up in this b*tch.
[ALL GASP]
Heh, uh...
Y'all remember my grandson, Randy.
Did you hear what that boy said?
And in a house of God.
Boy, the apple don't fall far
from the family tree.
- I thought it was funny.
- Oh, you did, huh?
You know, his mother
threw him out the house in New York.
That's why he's at G.G.'s house.
And what did G.G. do to that robe? Getting
it all fitted and taken in like that?
Like she's better than everybody else
just because she's rich.
[COUNTRY MUSIC
PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
That woman, I swear.
Did you see the way she looked at you?
Like Jesus left a will
putting her in charge.
I think you have to maintain a certain
speed or you actually go back in time.
And how much did she spend
on all that?
You stay away from that boy is all.
- Tsk.
- Don't suck your teeth at me.
He been trouble since he was 5 years old
and made you eat that goldfish.
Talking about that's where
the little crackers come from.
- Mama.
- Don't think he don't have...
some new goldfish either.
People don't change,
especially in that family, okay?
[G.G.]: And I saw the way
you were looking at Olivia Hill.
You date that little girl, Vi Rose
will just about lay square eggs.
Be worth it.
Hey, now, we're all going around
to the pastor's for lunch on Saturday.
So you behave.
[KAJAGOOGOO'S "TOO SHY"
PLAYING ON RADIO]
Hey girl
Walter, Olivia.
You're gonna be late for school.
You're too shy shy
Hush hush, eye to eye
Too shy shy
Cover yourself.
Eye to eye
Too shy shy
Walter.
[WALTER]: I was in my room
listening to "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo.
One-hit wonders are unfairly maligned.
I'm fond of "Walk Away Renée"
by The Left Banke.
Walter, I swear your train of thought
makes all local stops.
Go ahead, eat your breakfast.
- Mail came.
- [OLIVIA]: Give me mine.
Okay, take it easy.
The man writes every week.
You act like it's the Fourth of July.
Why don't he just text or e-mail
like everybody else?
Mm.
Bow your heads.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this food
which we are about to receive.
Love letter?
From my father.
He's stationed at Fort Kail.
Oh, I thought he got out of the Army.
- He went back.
- Pssh.
Don't know why anybody
would wanna leave you.
You grew up like you were
on fast-forward.
Like one of them stop-motion
movies of flowers.
Please.
And the way you sing. Oh!
I used to think
church music was all corny,
and then you get up there
and it's like:
[IMITATES expl*si*n
THEN CHUCKLES]
- I never heard anything like that.
- Mm-hm.
Hey. You know I'm a musician too.
What do you say, huh?
We hit the road, start a band...
make some babies
that look exactly like you.
[OLIVIA LAUGHS]
Oh, you got a nice smile. Always di...
- Oh.
- Oh, my gosh, are you okay?
I have to go.
I'm gonna be late for school.
- Wait, hey. Can I meet you after?
- I have choir practice.
Oh, I'm gonna get in that choir.
- [OLIVIA]: Right.
- You'll see.
[SNIFFS]
Mm. That's nice.
That is a lovely hat, Vi Rose.
Thank you, Pastor.
I didn't expect anyone to notice.
[SCOFFS]
Like your hair, G.G. You worried
you're not gonna be seen from space?
[RANDY]:
Could you pass the butter, please?
[PASTOR DALE]: Feels downright strange
sitting here with y'all and not Bernie.
- He was our rock.
- Thank you, Pastor.
I keep looking out my window expecting
to see him out on that big old porch.
But, so far,
he hasn't made an appearance.
Times like these,
we feel his loss even more.
[VI ROSE]:
Amen.
[PASTOR DALE]:
So, Vi, how is Marcus keeping himself?
Just fine, thanks.
to be away.
Crazy, you ask me.
I mean, who rejoins the Army
for a second time at age 35?
Someone who's out of work
and wants to feed his family.
[VI ROSE]:
All right, Olivia.
- And wants to serve his country.
- It's confusing, that's all.
- What you trying to say?
- [G.G.]: Well, it's not just me.
The whole town's confused.
It's none of this town's business
about me and my husband.
Well, it is a small town, Vi.
And people do care.
And if you don't like that,
maybe you should move to New York.
My mama told me if people swept
in front of their own doors...
- this whole world would be clean.
- Hell, yeah.
- What?
- Ha-ha.
Apologize for your language,
young lady.
I'm sorry.
It was just surprising when he left.
That's all.
Yeah, to all of us.
There have been more
one-hit wonders in hip-hop...
than in the entire 30 years of music
that preceded it.
All right, Walter.
My particular favorite is
"Walk Away Renée" by The Left Banke.
[SINGING] Just walk away, Renée
You won't see me...
When Walter gonna sing, ain't nothing
you can do but sit back and enjoy it.
The em...
He gets a little nervous around people.
I think it's time to say grace.
[WALTER BANGING ON PIANO KEYS]
Dear Lord, we come before you...
Walter, Pastor trying to say grace.
Excuse me.
Walter, you okay?
You know, there's nothing to be nervous
about. Everybody here loves you.
Uh, can I try?
There's nothing you can do when he's
like this. It's his Asperger's syndrome.
- I don't like to be touched.
- I won't touch you. Uh, look.
Hey, I will sit all the way down here.
Okay?
Okay, good. Now just play that note.
This one. Right there.
[HITTING NOTE]
Good. Good. Okay, now, just do it in time.
That's good. That's perfect. That's great.
Okay, now, keep doing that.
[RANDY PLAYING
"WALK AWAY RENÉE" ON PIANO]
[SINGING] Just walk away, Renée
You won't see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block
Are not the same
You're not to blame
That's "Walk Away Renée".
Hey, you know, um, if you want,
I could give Walter piano lessons.
Walter, would you like that?
[RANDY LAUGHS]
Come on.
Here you go.
You go out there and win
that competition, you hear?
We're counting on you.
Ah, there but for the grace of God.
Amen.
I worry about my job at the hardware store
and my boss is my own father.
Well, like he always says, people always
need a hammer or a doorknob.
[SINGING]
I'm in love with a stripper
She poppin', she poppin', she rollin'
She drivin' that pole
[BOTH]:
And I'm in love with a stripper
[RANDY]:
She trippin', she trippin', she playin'
I ain't goin' nowhere, and I'm stayin'
I'm in love with a stripper
She poppin', she poppin', she rollin'
She drivin' that pole
What? I'm in love with a stripper
She poppin', she poppin', she rollin'
- [WALTER]: I'm in love
- [RANDY]: I'm in, I'm in love
With a stripper.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[SYKES ON RECORDING]:
Do it right now. Come on and pray.
[OLIVIA]: Baylor Sykes
and the Holy Vision Church of Detroit.
They're the reason
we never make it to the finals.
They always beat us at regionals.
- Why don't you do songs like this?
- Can you imagine? With my mother?
[RANDY]:
So how long until regionals?
Two weeks.
I should go.
If she knew I even came out here
to sit with you, she'd explode.
Will I see you tomorrow?
See you when I get home from school.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Don't look at my butt. I'm a good girl.
- Stop it.
- Ha-ha-ha.
- You wanna join the choir?
- Yes, ma'am.
He's a good singer, Mama.
A great singer.
Yeah, when he's singing about
being in love with strippers.
I mean, do you know any decent songs?
Because they don't have to be corny.
How about, um,
Sly and the Family Stone?
[SINGS]
I want to take you higher
Do you even know who Sly Stone is?
[VI ROSE SCOFFS]
You just wanna be near my little girl.
[OLIVIA]:
Just listen to him, Mama.
- He is good, Vi.
- [VI ROSE]: Yeah, how would you know?
We've been sneaking in
some extra rehearsals.
Excuse me?
We wanna win, Vi.
- Come on, give him a chance.
- [MAN]: Go ahead, Vi, give him a shot.
[VI ROSE]:
I'm sorry.
I'd call you stubborn,
but that'd be an insult to mules.
Heh, oh, she said she'd call her
stubborn, but it'd be a insult...
Vi, don't deny him
just because he's my grandson.
[DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES]
[MAN PLAYING PAUL McCARTNEY'S
"MAYBE I'M AMAZED" ON PIANO]
[SIGHS]
[SINGING]
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You love me all the time
And maybe I'm afraid
Of the way I love you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You pulled me out of time
You hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
I really need you
Maybe I'm a girl
Maybe I'm a lonely girl
Who's in the middle of something
That she doesn't really understand
Maybe I'm a girl
And maybe you're the only one
Who could ever help me
Hey, won't you help me understand?
Ooh, help me understand
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You're with me all the time
And maybe I'm afraid
Of the way I need you, yeah
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You help me sing my song
Right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
I really need you
Yeah
Maybe I'm a girl
Maybe I'm a lonely girl
Who's in the middle of something
- Oh
- That she doesn't really understand
[HUMMING]
Maybe I'm a girl
Maybe you're the only one
Who could ever help me
- Oh
- Hey, won't you help me understand?
- Ooh, help me understand
- Help me understand
[CHOIR]: Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You love me all the time
- Love me all the time
- Maybe
Maybe I'm afraid of the way
I love you
Ooh
Maybe I'm amazed at the way
You pulled me out of time
- [OLIVIA]: Ooh
- Yeah
- [CHOIR]: Maybe
- Maybe I'm amazed at the way
I really need you
Maybe I'm amazed
Maybe I'm amazed
Maybe I'm amazed
Oh!
Oh, maybe I'm amazed
- By you
- By you
- Amazed
- Amazed, amazed
- By you
- By you
[APPLAUSE]
[LAUGHING]
[RANDY]:
Come on.
Oh! Ah! That was amazing.
[LAUGHS]
It was like...
it was like you knew everything
I was gonna sing before I sang it.
Well, we rehearsed all week,
so it's not magic.
It was magic.
You felt it too, I know you did. Heh.
What?
My mother says when I sing,
I should just be the instrument...
not try to be more important than God.
But singing is the only time
I feel important.
Where I don't feel like I'm this close
to disappearing.
I don't know,
I guess I'm just being prideful.
Hey.
So what?
You deserve to be as proud
as you can be.
Seems to me your mother
doesn't tell you that near enough. Heh.
Hey, well, I'll tell
you, I am proud of you.
And I would be very upset
if you disappeared.
Young love.
I haven't been with anyone
in three years.
Four.
[CHUCKLES]
[LOU RAWLS' "YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER
LOVE LIKE MINE" PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
As long as you live
Someone who loves you
Tender like I do
You'll never find
Oh.
No matter where you search
Someone who cares about you
Wakey-wakey, Mr. Hsu.
The way I do
I made you a big breakfast.
Mr. Hsu?
Oh, Mr. Hsu.
I'm the one who loves you
And there's no one else
No
Mr. Hsu.
God.
[SOBBING]
Cherish the brief time
you and Mr. Hsu had together...
rather than weep for his loss.
That's not why I'm crying.
Oh.
- Why are you crying?
- Well...
what man's ever gonna
wanna be with me after this?
From now on, I'll just be known
as the girl who, you know...
Tap it and die.
- I hear that.
- No.
Go, go, go. She wakes up
if I breathe funny in the next room.
- Hey, Vi Rose, I have your daughter.
- Stop. That's not funny.
- Don't wake up, I'm stealing her.
- Stop.
[R&B PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
I'm gonna keep you dancing
Baby, all night long
Drop it nice and low
Take it to the floor
Let me see you work it
What you working for?
[MANNY]: If I didn't see it with my
own eyes, I wouldn't believe it.
Olivia Hill and not a pew in sight.
Come on, Manny, I wanna dance.
Don't talk to me like you know me.
I just met you 10 minutes ago.
You look pretty.
Would you like to dance?
I'm sorry, son.
She promised this dance to me.
Baby girl, you're with me
'Cause you're beautiful
Got it going on, baby
From head to toe
And I'm gonna take you home
If you don't wanna go
I still have you on my phone
- I can't, Randy. I don't know how.
- Yes, you do.
I know you dance all alone
in your room to your radio.
Got a little stuffed animal going:
[GRUNTING]
You wanna be a church girl
the rest of your life?
There's so much more to you than that.
Come on.
Baby girl, you're with me
'Cause you're beautiful
Got it going on, baby
From head to toe
And I'm gonna take you home
If you don't wanna go
I still have you on my phone
'Cause I like the way
You like to dance with me
And I like the way you looking
In them jeans
And I wanna take you home
If you don't wanna go
I still have you on my phone
Let me get your bedpan.
Okay, here we go. Okay.
It's okay. It's all right.
[SIGHS]
Hey.
Lazy bum.
It's time for your lesson.
No one wants to hang out with me.
That's not true.
I like hanging out with you.
You're like the only guy friend
I have here.
I don't wanna be like this, you know.
To have no idea
when people are joking...
...or when they want me to shut up
and leave them alone.
I think everything's fine...
...and then they leave a tissue
full of shit in my locker.
There are always gonna be jerks
that wanna treat you badly.
I mean, my mother called me stupid
so many times...
I finally believed her and quit school.
Hey.
Crazy or not, you're an awesome kid.
I mean, you're scary smart.
You picked up the piano
like you have alien magic powers.
And...
And I'm really glad I met you.
- Randy?
- Yeah.
Part of my condition is I can't tell
when people are coming on to me.
I'm sorry. Okay, I'm sorry.
Hey. You know what I think?
I think we need more than
a piano lesson today.
- [WALTER]: Hey, Randy.
- [RANDY]: Yeah.
[WALTER]: I just realized we're lying
on the left bank of the quarry.
And The Left Banke
is the name of the band...
who recorded "Walk Away Renée".
They spelled "bank" with an E.
You know how you don't know when people
want you to shut up? Shut up, Walter.
[GRUNTS]
[SINGING]
[ECHOING]
[RANDY CHUCKLING]
Come on, you try it.
- No.
- Come on.
[SINGING]
[ECHOING]
[RANDY LAUGHS]
[RANDY]:
Damn, you can sing, boy.
You know, you should join the choir,
Walter, or at least play with the band.
I can't. It's too loud. It hurts my ears.
See, that's just an excuse you use
so you don't have to be around people.
You're afraid you're gonna be embarrassed
or rejected. But you are strong, talented.
And I need a friend there...
to stand with me
against your psycho mom.
[LAUGHS]
[SINGING] That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
[BOTH]:
That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
- [RANDY & WALTER]: That woman is crazy
- [MANNY]: That woman is crazy
That woman is crazy
- Didn't know anyone else came here.
- What do you want?
Me? Nothing.
Got a problem
you wanna iron out with me?
I don't know who you think you are, son,
coming into town, hitting on Olivia.
She don't mean nothing
to you but a challenge.
The challenge is everything.
You're the one
that don't mean nothing to me.
[BOTH GRUNTING]
[RANDY]:
Come on.
[MANNY]:
What are you doing? Huh?
Unh! Quit hitting me in the nuts.
[GRUNTING]
Yeah!
Yes!
[BOTH YELLING]
That was great.
[RANDY AND WALTER WHOOPING]
What happened? You okay?
- We beat his ass, Mama.
- You got into a fight?
He saved my life.
You'd have been proud of him.
Answer me. Somebody hit you?
He didn't get the chance. I was too fast.
Too fast? Look at you. Go to your room.
Whoo-hoo! Ha-ha.
- What happened?
- It wasn't a big deal.
Actually, you'd have been proud.
He didn't have to talk about one-hit
wonders or worry about being touched.
I mean, he saw me in trouble
and he just went for it.
Know what? You a falling-rock zone.
And anybody who stands
too close to you...
...is gonna have a whole mess of rocks
fall on them too.
He's fine. He's better than fine.
He's proud.
Look at him. He feels like a man
for the first time in his life.
That's not how I want my son
to feel like a man.
- Where's Olivia?
- Never mind about Olivia.
Get out of my house.
- Mama, no.
- I told you to go.
I'll deal with you in a minute.
[WALTER BANGING ON PIANO KEYS]
She can't keep me from seeing you.
She was just angry. She'll get over it.
Why am I defending her?
She wants to control my life.
It must k*ll her that she can't
control Walter's too.
What kills her is feeling guilty
for Walter's condition.
That's why she holds y'all so close.
Maybe too close.
There I go again.
Is there such a thing as being
too good a Christian?
Because that just may be my problem.
I wish you really knew my father.
He's the total opposite of her.
Well, then I know who you take after.
I'll just leave this right here.
Excuse me.
Whoa!
- Back to your corners.
- All right.
This is not gonna turn into that
in my house.
And get your little butt off my table.
That's where I eat.
[APPLAUSE]
[CHOIR SINGING]
[AUDIENCE CHEERS]
[ANNOUNCER]: Welcome to the
Joyful Noise Regional Finals.
And now, four-time champion
Holy Vision Church of Detroit...
featuring Baylor Sykes.
[CHOIR SINGING]: Hey, hey, hey
Thought I had it together now
Hey, hey, hey
Thought I could handle the weather now
Hey, hey, hey
Thought I'd make it on my own
Hey, hey, hey
But now I see I was wrong
- Hey, hey, hey
- [SYKES]: Ow!
I think the same when you're not with me
Hey, hey, hey
I feel the change when you're near me
Hey, hey, hey
I'm not afraid to be strong
Hey, hey, hey
I know I'm never alone long
Uh!
When no one's around
And the rain's falling down
You cover me
Hey! Do I have a witness
out there somewhere?
On that side? Let me hear you.
When my days turn to night
Will you rescue me?
I hope they see
Oh, Lord, not again.
Those aren't the same singers
from the clip online.
And if they say:
And if they say I'm crazy about you
I just want everybody to see
Ha! Hallelujah.
Maybe they are just that good.
I just want you to see.
I just want the whole world to see
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- Jesus, I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
His love is deep till the end...
They'd have to rehearse
like eight hours a day.
Don't these people have jobs
or families?
So the whole world can see
- Can see
- Let me hear you.
Y'all ready?
- Ow!
- Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
On that side, sing.
Hey, hey, hey
- Whoo!
- Can't make it without you
Clap your hands.
- Ain't a good day without you
- Come on.
And if they say I'm crazy about you
I just want everybody to see
When they look at me.
When they look at me
I hope they can see
- I gotta tell the world, y'all.
- I just want the whole world to see
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
- I'm in love with you
- Oh, oh, ah
Jesus, I'm in love with you
Uh, uh
Listen here, listen here I say
You've been good
I'm in love with you
You've been kind
I'm in love with you
You've been great
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
Yeah!
Let's go.
Whoo!
[AUDIENCE CHEERING]
[VI ROSE]:
Cheer up. We can't win them all.
They're just disappointed.
We all are.
You know, Pastor,
I been thinking about this a lot.
I think next year, we need to do
more traditional songs.
Like, not so many horns.
Not going to be any next year, Vi.
It's official.
- [ALL]: What?
- It's too expensive and we always lose.
[MUTTERING]
I'm sorry.
I don't consider making it to the regional
finals anything to be ashamed of.
Of course not. But every year?
- Wait, really?
- [MAN]: What?
We didn't before that.
The money is best used elsewhere.
Well, it's not about winning or losing.
It's about giving our town
something to believe in.
A reason to drive 300 miles and have
a little something to cheer about...
instead of sitting home,
watching everything fall apart.
It's about praising his name.
And we can praise his name on Sunday
in our own church.
I didn't create this economy.
It's been settled.
[G.G. EXHALES SHARPLY]
[BOY ON TV]:
P is for polar bear.
Did you see her face when we lost?
She was actually surprised.
- She be saying "less horns" when...
- Olivia, do the voice.
[IMITATING VI ROSE] Less horns.
[LAUGHING]
[IN NORMAL VOICE]
When what she needs to do...
is get rid of the tired
old-timey arrangements...
- and let you get your hands on them.
- Mm-hm.
And let Earla choreograph us
some moves.
Ah, like that's gonna happen.
It could. We just have to convince her,
that's all.
All right. Keep your voice down.
- She's at work. She can't catch you here.
- You're scaring the animals.
See, they're all staring at us.
- It's because you're so hot.
- Shut up.
[LAUGHING]
Look at the yak.
He's totally into you.
Come on.
What do I have to do to cheer you up?
Huh?
[BOY SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON TV]
[RANDY SIGHS]
- Hey. Hey. Come on. Let's go.
- Go where?
Come on. Don't you worry
about where we're going.
- Don't take my blanket, I'm comfortable.
- Don't care. Give me your hand.
- Where?
- Ha-ha-ha. Don't worry about it.
- Come on.
- [OLIVIA]: If we go outside,
- I need my shoes.
- Okay, I got them.
- [OLIVIA]: Where we going?
- I told you, on a date.
A date where? We left town an hour ago.
It's a surprise.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
My mother's gonna k*ll us both.
At least we'll die together.
[RANDY CHUCKLES]
- She could be somewhere dead in a ditch.
- Oh, don't be so dramatic.
There's no reason to think like that.
Kids run off all the time.
Mostly, they come right back.
It's not like Randy's never pulled
a stunt like this before.
This is your fault.
You brought that hoodlum into our lives.
- No wonder his parents kicked him out.
- You don't wanna go there, Vi.
The best thing you can do
is just go about your business.
I... I will call you
as soon as I hear anything.
Go about my business?
Yeah, right.
Hey. Hey, wake up.
Daddy?
You called him?
I took a pretty big chance here.
I'd really appreciate it if you'd smile.
[CHUCKLING]
[SINGING] Just walk away, Renée
[MARCUS]:
Oh...
You won't see me follow you...
That's his favorite song.
Hmm.
- How's your mama?
- She's changed, Daddy.
Don't blame your mama for that.
Being left alone can change anybody.
I was the one that ran out.
Randy, can you give us a minute?
I'll be outside.
[MARCUS]:
Look.
I could've stayed.
Now, Olivia, listen to me. This ain't
a easy thing to say to your daughter.
I could've tried harder.
The truth...
is I couldn't... I couldn't face
knowing that I failed your mama.
No job, no money.
I saw it every time she looked at me.
I know that look.
No, no, no. She was sweet back then.
You remember how she used to be.
I thought the only thing I could do for
y'all was leave and send a paycheck home.
Your mama...
...is the best person I ever met.
And it took being away from her
to realize that.
And now I need you to love her.
And love her hard.
Because I don't think
she's gonna want me again.
And that...
That is a hard thing to live with.
That's not true. She always watches
those home movies with you both dancing.
And I see the way her face looks
when we read our letters.
She tries to fight it,
but I know she misses you.
What letters?
Baby, I haven't sent any letters.
I think your mama
must have been writing them.
I'm sure she thought
it was a good thing.
I have to get back.
I want to be with you.
Baby, I ship out soon.
It's my job.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SIGHS]
You worried?
Me too.
Did you know gospel is the only
musical genre with no one-hit wonders?
No.
Why you love gospel so much, Mama?
Why you ask?
Because I just don't understand
what's so great about God.
You don't mean that.
Seems like he don't do much
around here that I can see.
Give me those glasses.
Let me see that sweet face of yours.
Baby, you have to think of God
as a parent.
You know when I punish you
or make you eat your greens...
you may not like it, but you know
I love you, no matter what, right?
Right.
Even if you don't understand
why I do what I do.
Well, just like I'm your mother,
God is our father...
and we have to have faith because
we know he loves us, no matter what.
But...
But what, baby?
You spend all your time...
singing songs and praising God...
and he's who did this to me.
He made me this way.
If you loved me, you'd hate him.
- I do.
- No.
- I hate him. I do.
- Walter. Don't say that, Walter.
I just wish I could be normal...
...for you, Mama.
For me?
Baby, you don't have to be anything
except exactly who you are.
I love you.
Come here, come here.
[VI ROSE SIGHS]
They broke the mold
when they made you.
And when someone don't fit
into a neat little box...
...the answer ain't to squeeze them
in there even harder.
You build a bigger box.
sh**t, God don't make no mistakes, Walter,
and he ain't about to start with you.
[VI ROSE HUMMING]
[SINGING] Fix me, Jesus
Fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Fix me, Jesus
Fix me
Fix me for my home on high
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me for the by and by
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me for my starry crown
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me for a higher ground
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Oh, fix me
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me, Jesus, fix me
Fix me, Jesus
Oh, fix me
Fix me, Lord.
[SIGHS]
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
[VI ROSE]:
Don't do anything stupid over there.
You've never been the bravest man.
Don't abandon that quality now
that it can actually do you some good.
Now, most husbands
would take offense at that.
[VI ROSE]:
Be safe.
[ENGINES STARTING]
[VI ROSE]: You gotta know this
is gonna be the longest ride of your life.
Why'd you lie to us?
What, just because he didn't write?
He left to support us.
You think every man who's out of work
leaves their family for two years?
Leaves their wife at home
to raise two kids alone?
Maybe that's the only choice
he saw.
Maybe it's the only choice
he wanted to see.
Maybe he just wanted out.
He doesn't think you'd want him back.
That's what he told me.
Guess he was right.
Personally, if I were him,
that'd be music to my ears...
because I don't know who would
wanna come back to you.
[HORNS HONKING]
You will not talk to me like that.
You don't know the first thing
about our marriage, or any marriage.
Of course you adore him.
People who ain't around
make very few mistakes.
But he left.
Just remember that. He left.
You better control your mouth,
young lady.
And don't you dare say a word
to your brother.
[RANDY]:
Hey.
Hey.
Mm.
Well, you ain't walking too funny.
She couldn't have
whipped your ass that hard.
What, you're not talking to me?
You do know that you're not gonna
be able to keep that up, right?
She may be the wicked b*tch
of the west down here...
but take her to my neighborhood...
- she'd fold like a pair of twos.
- Don't you call her that.
What?
You say the same thing.
I can talk about her that way.
You can't.
I knew what she was like.
I shouldn't have let it get this far.
And I'm sorry I ever did.
My mother won't let me see you
anymore outside of choir.
What? No, no, no. Hey.
Don't follow me.
[RANDY]:
This is crazy.
I love you.
[SIGHS]
- You get my note?
- Mm-hm.
I got it.
Do you think that's an acceptable way
to say goodbye?
Randy, I'll drive you anywhere
you want to go.
No questions asked.
Even if it's out of this town forever.
But, hon, sooner or later,
you're gonna have to grow a set.
You can't spend your whole life running.
Why should I stay?
Vi Rose hates me. Olivia loves me,
but she won't go against her mother.
There is one other reason
you might consider staying.
- What is that?
- So you can sing with the choir...
...in the finals in Los Angeles.
That's right. Detroit got disqualified.
How come?
Because half their choir was made up
with paid professionals.
I knew they couldn't be that good.
How'd they get caught?
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
It was you, wasn't it?
Doing your little CSI:
Pacashau thing.
Well, you're darn tooting.
I mean, trying to fool me is like trying
to sneak sunrise past a rooster. Ha-ha.
[VI ROSE]:
Those weaselly, no-good cheats.
I tell you, you can't trust no one
outside of the state of Georgia.
How many times I tell you
and your brother that?
What you looking for?
I'm looking for the other choir
who made the finals in our category.
Don't you wanna know
who we going up against?
- Maybe you got it wrong, G.G.
- No.
Got it right here,
Our Lady of Perpetual Tears.
I ain't never heard of them,
and I heard of everybody.
They don't sound like
they'll be a barrel of laughs.
Must be good if they made it to finals.
It don't matter who they are.
Don't change what we do one bit.
We just go to Los Angeles and we do
our very best. That's all we can do.
What? What you two cooking up?
I may not be on the council,
but I am its largest contributor.
And I will see to it we get to the finals
under one condition.
Oh.
And what is that?
You have to do new songs,
and use Randy's arrangements.
It is the right thing to do, Vi.
Our town needs to win.
[OLIVIA]: Please, Mama,
for once, don't be stubborn.
You're the only one in the whole choir
who doesn't want to do it.
You're right.
So maybe I should be the one to leave.
Vi.
You'll finally be choirmaster.
I guess you finally got what you wanted.
[DOOR OPENS]
[SIGHS]
I guess people really can do
without a hammer after all.
[DISCO MUSIC PLAYING
OVER SPEAKERS]
[WOMAN]:
Hi, Miss G.G.
Vi, I had no idea
you had to take another job.
- You have to come back to the choir.
- I'm busy.
I don't know what
you're so ticked off about.
I'm the one that got passed over
for the job.
And now I'm asking you to take it.
You just don't like me, do you?
And you never really have.
Amen, sister.
Well, why? I'd like to know.
[VI ROSE CHUCKLES]
Why? Hmm.
Maybe it's the way you undermine me
or the way you tried to blackmail me.
Well, now, that was
a little shortsighted, I admit.
But sometimes a small sin is justified
in the pursuit of a higher purpose.
And that's another thing.
That condescending,
wise-old-owl thing you do.
It must really gripe your ass...
...to know there's somebody
that you can't charm.
"G.G.'s so hilarious, she's so earthy".
Well, I am who I am.
Maybe you were, five procedures ago.
Now you whoever you need to be
to make everybody love you.
"Oh, G.G.'s so larger than life".
Well, it pisses me off.
[GASPS THEN SPITS]
You want to know what pisses me off?
- Not particularly.
- [G.G.]: You are gonna hear it.
- It is your holier-than-thou...
- [VI ROSE]: Oomph!
pious, rigid...
self-righteousness.
Who gives a rat's ass
if I've got a few little nips and tucks.
God didn't make plastic surgeons
so they could starve.
But you could use a complete face lift.
I feel fine about myself.
Well, I don't see how you could,
you old, hateful heifer.
Your daughter didn't even come
to her own father's funeral.
You are so convinced your way
is the only way there is.
Infallible, untouchable,
unlovable Vi Rose Hill.
Quit it with those nails,
Edward Scissorhands.
When did you get so old?
You're 40, going on 100.
I'm old? You read the Bible to reminisce.
- [G.G.]: Ha!
- Yeah, what?
I'm talking about inside, Vi.
You are old inside.
- [VI ROSE]: Hmm.
- And I wish, just one time...
you'd try to see things
from my point of view.
I'd love to see things
from your point of view...
but I just can't seem to stick my head
that far up my ass.
Oh, you just...
- [MAN]: Hey, hey.
- I'm so sick of you, I could puke.
[BOTH GRUNTING]
- [G.G.]: Ow! Ow!
- [VI ROSE]: What?
You see, I tried.
She hit me with water.
- She hit me with rolls.
- [G.G.]: Let go.
You know the rolls
in here are hard as hell.
- [G.G.]: Stop it. Ow!
- See, get this. Get this.
Well, you're breaking my hair. Would you
stop. It took me a half a day to do this.
- I could tear this hair up right now.
- [G.G.]: Ah, don't.
Wouldn't you like that?
Wouldn't you like that, huh?
My doctor does good liposuction too,
if you'd like his card.
- Get this on there.
- I got it.
- Yeah. Put that online.
- [MANAGER]: Vi Rose.
Wha...?
- Ladies, that's enough. That is enough.
- [G.G.]: Ow!
What are we doing?
Well, I'll tell you what I'm not doing,
I'm not coming back to the choir.
Well, Vi Rose, you are fired.
- I'm fired?
- Yes.
You didn't...? Didn't you...? You...?
- This is all your fault.
- No, no. That's enough, that's enough.
[G.G.]:
Vi.
[PLAYING BALLAD]
[HUMMING]
G.G., we are not going out like this.
Not you, not me and not this choir.
Sweetheart, sometimes you just
have to know when to fold your cards.
Who are you?
You are not my gorgeous grandma.
[PLAYING BALLAD ON PIANO]
I know that song.
Yeah, I used to sing it
with your granddaddy.
Then he used to waltz me
around that big old yard.
I know how much you miss him.
God, it's just like my heart
don't beat right anymore.
It's like, when he was here,
I felt like I could just do anything.
Not now.
Can I hear the song?
No. It's a duet.
Well, I know it.
God knows I heard it enough times.
[PLAYING BALLAD]
[G.G. HUMMING]
[SINGING]
I could hold out my arms
Say, "I love you this much"
I could tell you how long
I will long for your touch
How much and how far
Would I go to prove
The depth and the breadth
Of my love for you?
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- Who else in this world
- Who else in this world
- Will love you like that?
- Will love you like that?
- Love everlasting
- Love everlasting
- I promise you that
- I promise you that
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
I want you to know
You can always depend
On promises made
And love without end
No need to wonder
How faithful I'll be
Now and on into eternity
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
- Who else in this world
- Who else in this world
- Will love you like that?
- Will love you like that?
- Forever and always
- Forever and always
- I'll be where you're at
- I'll be where you're at
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
From here to the moon and back
[G.G. LAUGHS]
I would blow you a kiss
From the star where I sat
I would call out your name
To echo through the vast
Thank heaven for you
And to God tip my hat
- From here to the moon and back
- From here to the moon and back
And I'll spend forever
Just proving that fact
From here to the moon and back
From here to the moon
And back
[HUMMING]
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
[RANDY]:
You can still do anything.
You're damn skippy.
[RANDY LAUGHS]
[OLIVIA]:
Just stay for one rehearsal.
Those people worked so hard.
And your ego's letting them all down.
My ego?
Didn't you teach us to never quit?
Look at Walter. He'll have to go through
more than you and I will ever have to.
But he doesn't quit. Not ever.
Well, if you quit now,
you're quitting on God.
What's that supposed to teach him?
Okay. Five, six, seven, eight.
Pah, pah, pah, unh.
Okay, come on, G.G. Here we go.
Unh, unh, unh.
Okay, good. Let's go. Come on, Caleb.
[CALEB]: Earla,
you already k*lled one man.
I got high blood pressure too,
you know?
- [EARLA]: It's for the Lord, people.
- [ALL]: Pah, pah, pah, unh.
Come on. Yeah.
[ALL]:
Pah, pah, pah, unh.
Earla, get your Beyoncé out of my face.
It's coming down.
[WHISPERS] Pah, pah, pah, pah.
Oh, sorry. Just popping for the Lord.
[BAND PLAYING FUNKY MUSIC]
Our band is good,
but they ain't never gonna be great.
Not without some help.
- What do you want?
- You. And your guitar.
You must be out your mind.
I heard you play all my life.
All those summer house-party jams.
You're incredible, Manny.
You know we're going to L.A., right?
Thousands of people in the audience.
Someone could hear you
who might actually matter.
That ain't never gonna happen
in Pacashau.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
Okay, stop, stop, stop.
I'm not feeling it, Earla.
Maybe what you need
is something to feel.
Yo, what's up?
[PLAYING ROCK SOLO]
[BAND PLAYING FUNKY MUSIC]
[OLIVIA]:
Oh!
You're the man.
[OLIVIA LAUGHING]
[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[G.G.]:
Oh, yeah, that's easy.
- Whoo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
- [DEVONNE]: Mm-hm.
[G.G.]:
Aah!
[VI ROSE]: This morning,
the choir's got...
something a little different
to sing for y'all.
[PLAYING UPBEAT FUNK SONG]
[OLIVIA SINGING]:
Oh
Do you know what
What you mean to me?
My world was turning upside down
I would've been so lost without you
You are all that perfect love should be
[CHOIR]:
You came and saved me from myself
You leave him to me.
- This is bigger than a notion
- Notion
- Freely give you my devotion
- Uh-huh
Never thought I'd find someone
Who loves the way you do
- [CHOIR]: It does so much, I wanna tell it
- [DEVONNE]: Uh-huh
[CHOIR]:
Feels so good, I wanna yell it
I surrender everything I am
To you and only you I'm yours
Let me guess,
you didn't like it.
Frankly, I'm surprised at Vi Rose.
Oh, don't blame her. Randy had to drag her
kicking and screaming.
- So it was his doing.
- Well, it was everyone's doing.
The choir goes back to its old style
or I withdraw the competition application.
And as for Randy,
we just can't take a chance.
You don't want Randy in the choir?
There's too much at stake.
I've known that boy his whole life.
He's just had a couple
of bad breaks, is all.
He kidnapped Olivia Hill.
Oh, they ran away.
They came right back.
He completely changed
the way the choir sings.
- Who knows what he'll do next.
- We'll lose, Pastor.
Why, I love those old songs
better than anybody.
I helped Bernie write them.
But Randy's right,
we gotta shake them up.
Without being sponsored by a church,
you cannot perform.
Those are competition rules.
Well, you withdraw your support...
...you leave me no choice
but to withdraw my support.
If you know what I'm saying.
He's my family.
Well, I suppose you'll have to follow
your conscience...
and I'll follow mine.
Oh, I shushed those loud boys
during your sermon.
I told them people were sleeping.
[EARLA]:
California, here we come.
[CHATTERING]
I don't know why we're even bothering
without Randy.
And singing those old arrangements.
- Ugh.
- Ugh.
You all right?
It seems like God's using me
for target practice these days.
Makes it kind of hard to feel the spirit.
Caleb, he is God.
If he wanted to sh**t you,
he wouldn't miss.
Heh, trust me,
you'll feel his spirit again.
And when you do, you'd better look out.
[VI ROSE LAUGHS]
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
[SNORING]
What's going on? Did you just hit me?
You were snoring.
So? I got a lot to snore about.
Where you going?
To the bathroom.
With your shoes on?
Get back in the bed.
Olivia Hill, don't you walk out that door.
I'm not a kid anymore.
Only kids say that.
You make me run,
it'll be the last thing you do.
Can you actually believe I'm gonna
let you wander the streets by yourself?
- Something could happen to you.
- Like you care.
- And what is that supposed to mean?
- It means you hate me.
Anybody would think you were dropped
on your head. Get back in that room.
You do. You hate me. Don't deny it.
Now, I know it feels like Randy
is the sun and the moon...
...and the stars all wrapped up
in one right now but, baby, look around.
Nobody ends up with the boy they liked
when they were 16. You'll get over him.
This isn't about that.
I told him I don't want to see him anymore
because you made me.
This is about me.
- Why do you think I hate you?
- Lots of reasons.
- Name one.
- Because I'm pretty.
- Heh, excuse me?
- Don't bug your eyes out at me.
You hate that I'm pretty,
because you don't feel pretty.
I defended you to Randy.
But now, I'm just trying to cut through
the bullshit, Mama. Once and for all.
You know how sad that is?
For you to feel that way about yourself?
You are the only one
you hate more than me.
No matter how much you sing
that church music...
...God doesn't seem interested
in helping you out with that.
Don't you bring God into your ugly,
petty, adolescent bullshit.
That's right, I can cuss too.
Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.
It's lazy and it has no class,
but it's not hard.
- You think I'm not pretty?
- I didn't say that.
I am an incandescent, board-certified
supermodel, baby.
I happen not to flaunt it
because I am a married woman...
...and I would never disrespect my husband
the way you just disrespected your mother.
But beautiful as you are,
and you are very, very beautiful...
...I would hang mirrors all over my house
if I could, just to look at myself.
I'd put one on the refrigerator just to
watch myself eat all of them calories.
And if I gave myself a heart attack from
all that food, I'd just give myself CPR.
Because I'm a nurse.
That's right, I save lives.
And that is not bullshit.
Now I am through talking to you
for the foreseeable future...
so my advice to you would be to get your
little narrow behind back in that room...
get back in that bed,
and you treat my snoring
like it is a Marvin Gaye love song.
That's right, you respect my snoring.
Because it comes from exhaustion.
From working hard to put food in you
and your brother's stomachs...
and every stitch of clothes
on y'alls' backs.
Get in that room.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SIGHS]
You didn't have to stay behind for me.
Oh, I didn't.
I'm flying out with the pastor.
I don't think I could do three days cooped
up in a bus with those hot messes.
But I'm not done yet. I've been calling
every church in this town...
...trying to see if I can get
somebody else to sponsor us instead.
- And?
- Well, no luck so far.
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
I keep trying to think
what your granddaddy might do.
He'd probably say not to put yourself
through this anymore.
I mean, he loved that church,
but he loved you more.
What'd you just say?
I said he loved that church,
but he loved you more.
[LAUGHS]
He loved that church,
but he loved me more.
Bernie, you old son of a Baptist.
I read you loud and clear. Ha-ha.
I know what to do.
I know what to do.
[YODELS]
- Stop.
- I know what to do.
[G.G. LAUGHING AND YODELING]
I know what to do.
Really?
We're in Los Angeles. There's the sign.
[CHATTERING]
[G.G. CHUCKLES]
Hey, good morning, Pastor.
[PASTOR DALE]:
What are you doing here?
- What's that?
- Well, it's Randy's ticket...
to the Joyful Noise finals.
It's the certificate
for the establishment of a church.
[G.G.]:
That's right.
Did you know that anyone can become
legally ordained as a minister?
You can do it online,
just takes five minutes.
Pastor G.G.
Has a nice ring to it, don't it?
The competition folks
don't care what church sponsors...
as long as somebody does.
Well, I'd prefer to be sponsored
by this church.
But I told you once before,
I will not let you screw with my family.
Now, we have exactly
one hour and 47 minutes...
to drive 92 miles to the airport...
if he's gonna make it
in time for the show tonight.
Oh, don't do something
we're gonna all look back on and regret.
Oh, my God, we're never gonna make it.
Step on it.
If we have an accident,
we'll certainly never make it.
- Are you crazy? Step on the gas.
- Well, fine.
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Pacashau Choir, your dressing room's
gonna be on the other side of the stage.
[WOMAN]:
Oh, look.
[MAN]:
Oh.
People are gonna fill all those seats?
No.
Go for house lights.
People are gonna fill all those seats.
Lunch is being set up in the foyer.
[CHATTERING]
- Um, is this seat taken?
- Only by you.
How do you do?
I'm from Pacashau Sacred Divinity Choir.
Earla Hughes.
[CLEARS THROAT]
He had high blood pressure.
[MAN]:
That's weird.
Hey, are you okay?
It's all right.
Mr. Hsu was the first man
I had been with in four years.
Do you think God was trying to punish me
because we weren't married?
Girl, if that's how he operated...
most men would be dead
by their senior year in college.
You are a beautiful, intelligent woman.
And I know you will meet
a wonderful guy.
I'll tell you what. If you're right,
I'll dance a jig and do a split.
[LAUGHS]
She said if I'm right,
she gonna do a split.
[LAUGHING]
I'd like to see that.
Look. Look.
[EARLA GASPS]
[EARLA]:
Let's go. Let's go.
[ALL CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]
[BAND PLAYING UPBEAT GOSPEL MUSIC]
[AUDIENCE CHEERING]
[WOMAN]:
Ladies and gentlemen...
welcome to the finals
of the National Joyful Noise Competition.
Y'all ready? Here we go.
[SINGING]
Take a load off your mind
Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story
Ride the mighty high
Take a load off your mind
Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story
Ride the mighty high
I really liked your choir.
I thought you guys were good.
Let's, uh, find somewhere we can talk.
Can I give you some advice?
Don't stay mad so long at your mama...
...and go get that boy.
Trust me, your mama will get over it...
...and you'll both forget what it is
you got mad about to start with.
- I'm afraid it's already too late.
- No, the clock ain't run out yet.
He's still seeing you like a little girl.
You gotta show him a woman.
[SINGING]
Come on and ride the mighty high
Y'all ready to hear some
good music tonight?
- Come on and ride the mighty high
- Ride the mighty high
Because there's some folks back there
who are ready to sing for you.
[GUITARS TUNING]
You look amazing.
[CLICKING FINGERS]
[G.G.]:
Mm-hm.
[WARBLING]
[MAKES HIGH-PITCHED NOISE]
[CONTINUES WARBLING]
[MAN CLEARS THROAT]
[MAN]:
Excuse me, Miss Hughes?
Oh...
They're my warm-ups.
I like to do: "Toy boat, toy boat,
toy boat, toy boat".
- Mm-hm.
- My name's Justin.
Hi. Earla Hughes.
I know who you are.
I've been following your choir
from competition to competition.
- Why would you do that?
- For you.
Wow, that really made it sound like
you need a restraining order.
It was only two competitions.
And I happened to be in Georgia,
because I'm moving there for work.
Look, I know I don't know you...
but you just seem so...
special.
Is that creepy?
This may seem like a strange question...
but you don't have high blood pressure,
do you?
That is a strange question, but no.
I'm healthy as an ox.
- Ah...
- People in my family live to be 90.
[DEVONNE LAUGHING]
Uh-uh!
[DEVONNE LAUGHING]
[WOMAN SINGING]:
Come on and ride the mighty high
If you're in trouble
Come on and ride
The mighty high
[APPLAUSE]
Oh, my God, you're all grown-up.
How did I not notice?
- This must be for that boy.
- Like you care.
Hey. It gives me no joy
to see you unhappy.
Don't you know that?
I love you.
And I'm very, very proud
to be your mother.
And you love me too.
Otherwise you wouldn't
be hugging me right now.
- I'm not hugging you.
- Any second now.
Don't try to fight it.
You know it's gonna feel so good.
[VI ROSE CHUCKLES]
There we go.
[LAUGHING]
- I'm sorry, Mama.
- [VI ROSE]: Oh...
- I don't know what's wrong with me.
- Girl, you 16.
And let's face it, your life
has been no day at the beach.
[WOMAN OVER LOUDSPEAKER]:
Please welcome our first finalist...
from Pensacola, Florida...
That's our competition.
[WOMAN]:...
Our Lady of Perpetual Tears.
[GOSPEL MUSIC PLAYING ON ORGAN]
[BAND BEGINS PLAYING]
[SINGING]
Why can't we be humble
Like the good Lord said?
He promised to exalt us
And show us the way
Why are men so greedy?
[G.G.]:
They're kids?
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Are you hearing that kid?
[ALL SINGING]:
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way God wants it
- To be
- He wants it to be
- Ooh
- Be, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- [BOY]: Oh
- Yeah, oh
[CHOIR]:
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way
- He wants it to be
[BOY]:
He wants it to be
Oh, you gotta believe
Let not your heart be troubled
Let all your suffering cease
Just learn how to help one another
And live in perfect peace
If we just be humble
Like the good Lord said
He promised to exalt us
And show us the way
- That's the way God planned it
- That's the way
That's the way God wants it to be
- [CHOIR]: Ooh
- [BOY]: Hey, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
- Oh, I want you to know
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way he wants it to
- He wants it to be
- To be, hey, yeah, yeah
- Yeah, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, oh
- That's the way he planned it
The way he want
[BOY]:
He wants it
[CHOIR]:
They way he planned
- [BOY]: So you best be humble
- Like he said
- [BOY]: You better make it happen
- Like he said
He planned it
[CHOIR]:
The way he want
- He wants it
- The way he planned
- You need to love your sister
- Like he said
- You need to love your brother
- Like he said
- So let's help each other
- Like he said
And live
I hope you get the message
Where you won't Somebody will
You may not understand me
But I will love you still
- That's the way
- That's the way
God planned it
- That's the way God wants it to be
- Ooh
- Hey, yes, it is, hey
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
[CHOIR]:
That's the way God planned it
- That's the way God wants it
- He wants it to be
He wants it to be
God loves you.
That's the way he wants it
That's the way God planned it
[BOY]:
That's the way
- Hey, yeah, he wants you to be
- Ooh
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
- Hey! Yeah!
That's the way God planned it
He wants it to be
[BOY SPEAKING IN TONGUES]
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
- [BOY]: That's the way
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- That's the way he planned it
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- You gotta believe it
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- You gotta be humble
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Oh, yeah
- Yeah, yeah, yeah
- That's the way
- That's the way
[CHATTERING]
There's no way.
I mean, we've come this far.
Okay. Okay. All right.
It's not fair. How are we supposed
to compete with that?
Especially doing our old, tired songs.
[CHATTERING]
And even if we win, we're beating a bunch
of little kids. It don't feel right.
[CHATTERING]
"Don't feel right"?
What are we gonna do?
I mean, what are we gonna do?
[CHATTERING]
Hey.
I don't believe what I'm hearing.
You're getting all squishy and sentimental
over a bunch of 12-year-olds? Now?
They knew what they
were getting into.
Their parents signed
the permission slips.
This is the big time, baby.
Didn't Jesus say
"suffer the little children"?
Yes, he did.
They're young. They're resilient.
They'll get over it.
We deserve this.
Now y'all can donate
to Save the Children later.
Become a Big Brother, whatever.
But today, we are gonna go out there
and we are gonna win this thing.
Come on, y'all. Let's go.
This is Pacashau. What would Bernie do?
Come on, now.
[CHATTERING]
[ALL CHANTING]:
Pacashau. Pacashau.
[APPLAUSE]
One, two.
[CHOIR SINGING]:
Not enough, not enough, not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Not enough, not enough
Not enough love
Stop. Stop, stop, stop.
It's not enough love.
It's not enough love.
The Lord is worthy to be praised,
is he not?
[ALL]:
Yes.
I said the Lord is worthy to be praised,
isn't he?
[AUDIENCE]: Yeah.
[VI ROSE]:
So here's what I'd like to do.
I'd like to take them
just a little bit higher in here.
[CHOIR]:
Yeah!
Come on, now, you understand me.
Can we take them a little bit higher?
[ALL]:
Yeah!
Do y'all mind if we lift him up
and take y'all higher?
[CHEERING]
I don't know what they're doing.
Follow my cues, give them everything.
Give me some of that Sly Stone funk.
[CHATTERING]
One, two, three. Huh!
[CHOIR SINGING]: Boom lakalakalaka
Boom lakalaooga boom
[BAND PLAYING SLY & THE FAMILY STONE'S
"I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER"]
[AUDIENCE CHEERING]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Feeling's getting stronger
Music's getting longer too
[OLIVIA]:
Music is the flesh in me
He wants to He wants to
- He wants to take you
- [CHOIR]: Higher
Yeah, yeah
- He'll take you
- Higher
- Ooh, if you let him
- He will light your fire
[OLIVIA]:
Your fire, yeah
- He'll take you
- Higher
He'll take you higher
Boom lakalakalaka
Boom lakalaooga boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[BAND PLAYING USHER'S "YEAH!"]
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah
Up in the church with my homies
Trying to get a little praise on
- But it keep it down on the low key
- Low key
'Cause you know how it is
I saw a shorty
She was checking up on me
From the game she was saying in my ear
You would think that she knew me
So we decided to chill
- The worship got heavy
- Heavy
- Got me feeling like I'm ready to blow
- Blow
- Oh!
- Oh!
- God's saying, "Come get me"
- "Come get me"
So I got down
And brought my knees to the floor
My knees to the floor
That's when I told God, I said:
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah
So I got down low
Said, "God, come get me"
- Yeah, yeah
- I got so caught up because God told me
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah
- Now, my god and I are the best of homies
- Yeah, yeah
Next thing I knew
I was all apart and screaming
[CHOIR]:
Yeah, yeah
- Yes, I love you
- [RANDY]: Yes, I love you
- Yes, I do
- Yes, I do
- Won't you let me take you
- Won't you let me take you
[CHOIR]:
Higher?
Higher He'll take you
- [CHOIR]: Higher
- Higher, if you let him
[CHOIR]:
He will light your fire
He will light your fire
- Higher
- Higher
- Higher
- Higher
[CHOIR]: It's like
I've waited my whole life
For this one night
It's gonna be me, you and the good Lord
'Cause we've only got one night
Sing for his pleasure
Sing for his son and praise forever
- And ever
- Forever
And ever
- Forever
- And ever
Forever with the good Forever
- And ever
- Forever
- And ever
- Forever
And ever
Forever with the good Lord
I'm a beautiful lady
No ifs, ands or maybes
I'm releasing my heart
And I'm feeling amazing
There's no one else that matters
No, no, no
- He loves you
- He love me
- And he won't
- And he won't
Let you fall
- He will take you
- [CHOIR]: Higher
Oh, yeah
- He wants to take you
- Higher
- He will
- He will light your fire
Light your fire
- Don't you wanna go
- Higher
- Higher?
- Higher
Higher
[BAND PLAYING STEVIE WONDER'S
"SIGNED, SEALED DELIVERED I'M YOURS"]
Uh-huh, yeah
Like a fool
I went astray, O Lord
Now I'm wondering
If your love's still strong
Whoo!
- O Lord
- [CHOIR]: Here I am
Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours
Yeah Yeah, yeah
And that time I went and said goodbye
Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry
Oh, no, here I am
Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours, I'm yours
Here I am, Lord
- You know I'm here right now
- Signed, sealed, delivered
- You've got the future in your hands
- I'm yours
- Yeah
- [VI ROSE]: Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Here I am, Lord
- Here I am, Lord
- Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours
- Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours
He wants to take you higher
Signed, sealed, delivered
Higher
- Take me
- I'm yours
- Higher
- He'll take you
- [CHOIR]: Signed, sealed, delivered
- [RANDY]: Higher, higher
I'm yours Higher
- Higher, higher, yeah
- Signed, sealed, delivered
- Higher, higher
- Oh, yeah, yeah
- Signed, sealed, delivered
- Come on
Signed, sealed, delivered
Higher
- Oh, yeah
- Higher
Higher
Signed, sealed, delivered
Higher, higher
Boom lakalakalaka
Boom boom boom
Higher, higher
Higher
[APPLAUSE]
[LAUGHING]
[MANNY]:
We did it. We did it.
- [VI ROSE]: Good morning.
- [CALEB]: Good morning, Vi Rose.
- [VI ROSE]: Good morning, winners.
- [EARLA]: Good morning.
[VI ROSE LAUGHS]
Let me help you with that.
[G.G.]: Thank you.
My head's still spinning from last night.
[G.G. AND VI ROSE LAUGHING]
I just wish Bernie
could've been here to see it.
- Oh, I think Bernie was here to see it.
- [VI ROSE]: Mm...
You may have noticed I don't do
particularly well with change.
That's because, in my experience,
it mostly takes a big chunk
outta your behind.
But not this time.
And that's due to Randy.
I will never forget
what he did for Walter.
- He's a good kid.
- Yeah.
And he didn't just lick it off the ground.
He had you.
And we owe you a lot too.
In fact, we owe you everything.
Don't make a face.
Oh. Look. Look at your daughter.
She's looking at Randy
like I look at cake.
Yeah, the kind that stays in your stomach
for nine months.
[BOTH LAUGH]
[ALL CHEERING]
You can close your mouth, Mama.
This ain't the first time we kissed.
[PEOPLE CHEERING AND CLAPPING]
[BAND PLAYING GOSPEL MUSIC]
[CHOIR HUMMING]
[SINGING]
I see him when the children are playing
I hear him when the church bells ring
On wedding days
- I feel him when the breezes blow
- Ooh, ooh
- Adore him where the flowers grow
- Ooh, ooh
We fear him when the oceans roar
- He's everything
- He's everything
[CHOIR SINGING]
He's everything
[CALEB]:
We're born, we live, we die
And life goes on
We love, we laugh, we cry
So forth, so on
- And we're a part of his creation
- Ooh, ooh
- Every person, every nation
- Ooh, ooh
- He's in every situation
- He's in every situation
[CHOIR]:
Everything
He's everything
Let's lift him up
Through everything
He's loving us
Is it asking all that much
That we should do the same?
So let us sing and raise our voice
Let us make a joyful noise
- Rejoice
- Rejoice and praise his name
- Rejoice
- Rejoice
- Sing it again
- Oh, rejoice
Rejoice His joy remains
He's everything
[CHOIR SINGING]
He's everything
He's everything
[G.G.]:
He's everything
Praise his name His holy name
He's everything
He's always loving us
We should show a little love
- In everything, everything
- [CHOIR]: Everything, everything
[G.G.]:
He's the God of hope and change
He's the cure for hurt and pain
You know he loves us all the same
- 'Cause he's everything, he's everything
- [CHOIR]: Everything, everything
[G.G.]:
In everything, he plays a part
Heals and mends our broken hearts
Restores us when we fall apart
- 'Cause he's everything, he's everything
- [CHOIR]: Everything, everything
So lift him up, rejoice, rejoice
Let us sing and raise our voice
And let us make a joyful noise
He is everything