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If life’s got you down and you don’t know where else to turn, there are always groups of people who can sympathize. And, if you want to don a purple robe, maybe you can help them make some “Joyful Noise.”

When Bernard Sparrow (Kris Kristofferson), the director of his church choir, passes away unexpectedly, the town of Pacashau, Ga., doesn’t know how to handle it.

Beyond grieving, the small town populace is up in arms about who will lead them to glory as the musical ensemble competes in the annual gospel competition, in which they have always come up short.

The likely choice is Bernard’s widow, G.G. (Dolly Parton), but she is in for a rude awakening when she finds out the pastor (Courtney B. Vance) has selected her rival, Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah), for the position. Vi Rose’s hard-nosed approach to music doesn’t endear her to many of the choir members.

Getting the choir back in shape becomes all the more difficult for Vi Rose once G.G.’s grandson (Jeremy Jordan) shows up in town and starts to chime in about how she could improve the group’s style. Even more unsettling is when the outspoken young man starts to show an interest in her daughter (Keke Palmer).

Capable of playing either the free-wheeling kind of mom or the stern disciplinarian, Latifah is a worthy casting choice to play a character who’s clearly the latter, who has more heartache than she lets on, with a husband (Jesse L. Martin) in the military, a Asperger syndrome-stricken son (Dexter Darden) she can’t always understand and a brick wall of a daughter who doesn’t understand her.

Palmer’s presence as daughter Olivia makes the hard-to-love teen easier to take, struggling to fit her mother’s expectations and always a few seconds away from blowing up at her. At least she isn’t as much of a handful as her love interest, with Jordan causing trouble even when he means well.

In her first starring role in nearly 20 years, Parton does well playing a woman who’s basically a mirror image of herself: someone with a lifelong love for music who’s had a little work done and isn’t afraid to admit it and always has a sassy Southern simile in store for any situation.

Parton’s sweet crooning of the song “From Here to the Moon and Back” — for which Kristofferson joins in, making his sole contribution in an altogether underutilized part — is easily the high point of the movie’s musical continuum, but the soundtrack as a whole is worthwhile.

You may want to adjust your expectations for what constitutes gospel music, though, as the Pacashau townfolk tackle the likes of Sly and the Family Stone, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and more in their repertoire, letting each one flow forth at full blast. And, while Palmer, Jordan and much of the rest of the cast are accomplished singers, it’s odd that two stars who have about 70 years of professional vocal experience between them aren’t given more of a chance to take the spotlight.

There are too many minor storylines happening among the choir members, contributing to a running time that’s far too long as it is. Yet, one thing that rings true is the plight of a small town like this that needs something to believe in after being hit hard by the economy and having little to brag about.

Likewise, the subject of faith is a touchy one — some wonder why God would put them through such tough times, some believe in the almighty in theory only, and some don’t think He’s there at all.

Somehow, it all comes together when the choir is onstage, singing their lungs out and trusting that everything will turn out alright.

“Joyful Noise” doesn’t delve too deeply into the theological beyond the idea that music is good for the soul no matter what’s been bothering you. Still, thanks to the two ladies at the forefront, it turns out stronger than its so-so story would otherwise let it.

Can I get an amen?