Unsung Hero

There was a time when David Smallbone felt he was on top of the world, and why shouldn’t he? He is a successful Australian music promoter who is providing his loving, God-fearing family of eight with a lavish lifestyle in an estate that most would envy. But in 1991, fueled by his growing success, he takes a big risk just as the country’s economy comes crashing down and loses it all. With no job, no prospects and a home that is being foreclosed on, yet pridefully wanting to stay in the music business, he is convinced to move on to the very different music capital of Nashville, Tennessee USA.

Most married couples begin with not much in their bank account and a sparsely furnished apartment but they are fueled by dreams of a better future. By the time one has six kids, with another on the way, this type of living should be a thing of the past, but for the Smallbone family it has become the reality of the present. Sustained only by their faith in God, the mom makes it everyone’s responsibility to do all they can to make a few dollars, and we soon see the beginning of a family landscaping business with their dad.

The prayer wall, where their wants and needs are posted as a reminder to pray for God’s help, is the focus of the Smallbone’s daily life.

Settled in Nashville they meet Christian neighbors Jed Albright (Lucas Black) and his wife Kay (Candace Cameron Bure) who, along with other new church friends, charitably provide for many of their necessities. It is only because of their generosity that the Smallbones are able to survive these early months of abject poverty all the while never losing their faith that God has brought them here for a reason.

“Unsung Hero” is the inspirational and true story of a family that will one day give rise to three Christian singers/songwriters, not to a mention this film’s Director/Actor Joel Smallbone, is a story that merits being told.

Content of Concern

LANGUAGE: None. The Lords’ name is always said respectfully and never taken in vain. No vulgar or crude language is spoken.

VIOLENCE: Minor. David verbally diminishes his daughter Rebecca (Kirrilee Berger) and soon after Helen slaps him for it. David, in an act of frustration, throws his phone/fax machine down and destroys it. Helen is shown vomiting due to morning sickness and later during the agony of childbirth.

SEX/NUDITY: None

WOKE CONTENT: None

Lessons

“Unsung Hero” is a film dealing with life, it’s obstacles and the disheartening setbacks many of us experience in one way or another. During the course of the few years this takes place in, the Smallbones will learn something about pride, faith, family and overcoming depression.

PRIDE — The family having to move to America is traced back to David’s insistence on staying in the music business despite all his avenues being cut off. However, the starkest example of his pride is actually shown when he denies his daughter a chance at an audition because he doesn’t want to humble himself, yet again, before music producer Eddie Degarmo (Jonathan Jackson).

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” —Proverbs 16:18

Helen Smallbone proves herself less prideful and keeps a positive outlook, at least in front of the kids. Still, her steadfast support of the family and her husband proves she personifies many of the qualities of the godly woman Solomon described in Proverbs 31.

“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.” —Proverbs 31:10-12 MSG

FAITH — That prayer wall! Helen comes up with the idea that everyone posts on a wall the family needs (furniture, beds, food, a car) and as they see God bless them they move the post to the ‘God answered’ side. They pray looking forward in faith that God may grant these basic necessities of life to them one day. Meanwhile they all chip in and work in anyway they can, trusting in God.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” —Hebrews 11:1

Their faith is rewarded enough for them to celebrate Thanksgiving with their new friends, The Albrights. David’s pride makes him feel uncomfortable accepting charity from their neighbors but they go none-the-less, mostly to make Helen happy, but also to give the kids a good meal. Remember that God’s provision arrives in many forms, but it always arrives.

“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.” —Psalm 37:25

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” —Matthew 6:26

FAMILY — By family I am speaking of the Christian ideal that the Apostle Paul talks about. From the parents, David and Helen down to their youngest the film shows how much they try to live up to God’s standards as should we all.

“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” —Colossians 3:18-21

DEPRESSION — No sooner does a record deal fall through for his daughter Rebecca, then David hears his father has passed away in Australia. What is worse, David cannot even afford to fly back home and bury his own father. Following this, he sinks into a deep depression and barely leaves his bed. Through it all, Helen is at his side. Helen tells David that they, the family, ‘believes in us.’ In turn, David apologizes to the family and lifts his daughter’s spirits up when he tells her she is a beautiful singer and a beautiful person. Only by both opening his eyes to his family and by looking upward to God for His ever-present blessings did he escape his pit of depression.

“…For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” —2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Their journey from riches to abject poverty, only to be lifted up again and singing God’s praises on tour is a story that skeptics would assign to luck or circumstance. How wonderful a God we have that when calamity falls on his children, we as Christians continue to praise Him. Then, when His blessings rain upon us the world has a hard time giving God the credit. As Christians we know these trials are fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives and so we live by putting our trust in Him.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” —1 Peter 1:6-7

Closing Thoughts

As it should be apparent by now, the “Unsung Hero” in this film is the mom, Helen. David may have had the music industry know-how needed to elevate his kids’ careers, but Helen is the family’s ‘rock’ and David’s helpmate who is there to keep him focused long enough for God to ‘show him the way.’ Unfortunately, since we never get to see David’s strengths as a musical promoter, either before he lost his business or after launching Rebecca’s, the film primarily showcases his flaws.

Solid performances by the leads and a compelling narrative help to keep the audience invested. So much so that the transition to Rebecca St. James’ burgeoning musical career, followed by mid-credit snapshots on what happened next with the family, regrettably come across as rushed. However, this does not overly detract from the rest of the films’ chronicle of their struggles.

“Unsung Hero” is a moving and ultimately uplifting film reminiscent of Job, about one family’s faith after losing everything, only to have The Lord lift them up again in order to bring glory to God’s kingdom in marvelous new ways, including song. Recommended.

“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” —Psalm 33:3

• Violence: Minor
• Profane language: None
• Vulgar/Crude language: None
• Nudity: None
• Sex: None
• Drugs/Alcohol: None
• Occult: None
• Wokeism: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.