Unsung Hero Reviews (original) (raw)

Despite missing some needed scenes to carry forward the lead’s emotional throughline, this is a good film that is sure to resonate with its core demographic.

Cinematographer Johnny Derango helps to ensure that the film’s more prosaic moments — of which there are many — are endowed with the same ambient vitality, as the active camerawork and careful framing invite audiences to look for truth in the kind of story that tends to just shove it in your face.

Moving, thoughtfully portrayed, raw... a true testament to the power of faith and family. Gifted tickets to see this for Mother's Day and hope that other moms get the same opportunity! The role a mother's faith plays in their children's lives cannot be underestimated or overlooked. Watching the story of one father's repeated disappointments met with his family's faith and optimism because of their belief in God's goodness was a heartwarming. This film reassures those who may be "in the valley", that truly, God *is* good. And even more importantly that the example parents set for their children, the way we all walk and talk and live our faith does have an immeasurable impact. Unsung Hero shows that answered prayers, even the smallest of asks, strengthen faith muscles and give hope in the most challenging and troubling of times. Inspiring and hopeful. Can't wait to share it with other family members and friends!

What a great film! Unsung Hero was an entertaining, uplifting, and inspiring movie about an incredible family. It was a great depiction of a father feeling the huge weight of the responsibility to provide for his family and struggling to deal with it properly during their trials and tribulations. His statement - "Can't I feel two things at the same time?" resonated with me. It is also a great depiction of the mother working hard through it all to deal with the large family's practical and emotional needs, and the children trying to roll with the punches and pitch in to help the family. I really enjoyed one of the children who made me laugh out loud (I can't remember his name). I think that some contemporary professional film critics are too eager to see infighting, rebellion, and chaos among the children in films about families, rather than anything resembling healthy dynamics. But, in this situation, the challenges came from external forces buffeting the family like a storm and the stresses that this placed on the parents, rather than from the children themselves. It was great to see how the children of various ages supported and drew strength from each other. The love and support of their large family, their faith, and the music that they would often turn to were palpable and inspiring. The story is much more meaningful because it is a true story and was produced, written, and directed by various members of the family. It was great that the family that actually lived through all of the ups and downs got to tell and share their own story. In addition, one of the family members also plays a major character, and a number of other family members make cameo appearances. The acting was good across the board - especially for the two parents whose performances I really enjoyed. The production values (cinematography, lighting, sound, etc) were all solid. I liked the occasional use of the home video camera, and the video montage (a film within a film) that the family played during one scene. In addition, it was relevant to the plot because one of the children truly did have a passion for film. Unsung hero was a major motion picture, and I was glad that I got to see it on the big screen on opening night. I hope that it stays in the theater long enough for others to become aware of it and see it as well. I would have enjoyed seeing even more of the family's journey after the last scene of this film. However, I do understand why the film makers chose to end the film where they did. It was a natural climax and stopping point. I am glad that before the credits rolled they shared a few words on screen about what happened to each of the family members later in life. The film is dedicated to the "Unsung Hero" in the family. Some may think that the film is about that person. Others who have read the marketing description of this film or seen the trailer for this film may think that this film is about certain members of the family who would go on to become professional musicians. However, this is truly a film about an entire family - along with the people who touched their lives along the way and the unseen hand of providence at work behind the scenes.

Unsung Hero could have used more of such emotional honesty. But it ultimately must deliver a broad uplift that’s palatable for the whole family, so it tends to skim the surface.

It’s a humble story, one with the capacity to inspire in its simple message of perseverance. But the film itself, as an artistic product, feels limited in its observational scope, because the filmmaker doesn’t have any distance from the material.

Viewer beware: Between the uplift and the cringe, this movie may cause whiplash.

IN A NUTSHELL: The movie is based on the true story about an Australian family's journey in the music industry to Nashville in the good ole USA. As it turns out, this is an origin story, of sorts, of the music of Rebecca St. James, and For King + Country. The film was written and directed by Richard L. Ramsey and Joel Smallbone. THINGS I LIKED: The title is great and made me want to immediately know who, in the story, earned that title. I hadn't seen the trailer or even read the description, but within the first 7 minutes, I quickly figured it out. So, who do YOU think is a true hero: the dreamer or the one who supports the dreamer when they give up on themselves? Daisy Betts is a revelation in this story. I was impressed with her portrayal of a sweet, supportive, flexible wife who was open-minded to unknown adventures, yet she put up boundaries so her family didn't get lost in it all. I loved it when she talked about how exciting "adventure beds" are when her family wasn't able to sleep in real beds when they first arrived in their new home in Nashville. Joel Smallbone did a really great acting job! What a sweet, loving tribute and gift he has given to his mother in this film. If you were a fan of the TV show Lost (like I was), you'll get a kick out of seeing the actor Terry O'Quinn, sporting a very convincing Australian accent! Everyone else in the movie did an excellent job too. I've been a huge fan of Amy Grant for years, so it was fun to see her represented in the movie. I like watching Australian movies to hear their funny expressions. For example, someone gets a birthday gift and he says, "Wow! Blow me down!" Another time, he calls someone on the phone and says, "It's been donkeys ages." Later, he gets discouraged and says, "Fair dinkum!" What the what? Christians and music lovers will especially enjoy this film. I absolutely loved the idea of a please and thank you wall to keep track of prayers asked and answered on sticky notes or cards. Vegemite gets a very small cameo and is one of the most disgusting flavors I've ever tasted. Ick. It's a mystery to me why Australians like it. Bring tissues. You will cry. At the end of the last scene, we see these words written on the screen: "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." (Mother Teresa) With families being torn apart, it is so refreshing to see a movie like this where the family fights for one another. We need more movies like this in theaters! We get to see photos and video clips of the real family this movie is about. It's so inspiring to read where they are now. What an incredible family. The song at the end pays such a loving tribute the mom, Helen Smallbone. It's called "Unsung Hero" by the two brothers in the story who became the famous singing duo "For King + Country." Amazing. At the very end of the final rolling credits, we get to see a current picture of the Smallbone family with an invitation to donate to an organization called "Compassion" designed to help children because they acknowledge they wouldn't have made it without the generosity of other people. You can learn more about it at www. ****/unsunghero THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The audio didn't match up with the lips when Amy Grant goes on stage in Act 1. We don't get to know most of the children in the family because the focus of the film is really on the parents. We finally notice their big contributions at the very end. Some of the camera angles aren't great, but I was so invested in the story so much that I didn't care at all. Candace Cameron Bure's wig made her look more like a caricature than a real person. TIPS FOR PARENTS: It's hard to find movies that are truly family friendly. This one is and, in fact, would be good for kids to see because it illustrates how kids pitch in to help the family's goals. We see parents argue. A woman slaps a man. No profanity We see a woman in pain, giving birth (just facial expressions) A family struggles financially.

Well done Smallbone Family!!!! Beautiful and inspiring!!!Belief in yourself and the guiding principles of kindness, love of family and staying true to your beliefs! And of course, MOM POWER!! Perfect timing for Mothers Day ...take your mom or at least be inspired to reach out to the people in your life that are your Unsung Heroes!

Story of an unbelievably selfish dad, a wife who constantly believes him despite lying constantly, and children who sing a repetitive "grace" song for dinner. This also features a famously homophobic actress, and the eldest daughter, in real life, is an anti-abortion activist, but none of this is surprising when you see it's all about Jesus, and the church and Amy Grant, and prayers, and god. It's so syrupy, sickly and religious that it'll make you cringe a few dozen times. And who forces their family to move to the other side of the world, find out the job is gone, but insists on staying there when it's much safer for the family back home? This is a film about selfishness, stupidity, child labour, selling your daughter's voice to whoever will take her, failing your family and then sulking about it rather than helping. Seriously, this is a terrible film on a number of levels. We ended up laughing at in the cinema and found a way to make it entertaining. I think we're supposed to feel inspired, but we were just astounded as to how pointlessly difficult they kept choosing to make their lives. Worst film I have seen in years.