UNSUNG HERO

US, 2024, 113 minutes, Colour.

Daisy Betts, Joel David Smallbone, Jonathan Jackson, Lucas Black, Candace Cameron Bure, Terry O'Quinn.

Directed by Joel David Smallbone.

This film, about a family from Sydney who moved to the United States in the 1990s, would be a surprise to Australian audiences. But, not to American audiences who follow Christian music. They will be aware of the duo, Joel and Luke Smallbone, For KING & Caps country and the singer, Rebecca St James.

The film opens with David Smallbone an agent, singers like Amy Grant, working in Australia but falling foul of the recession of 1991, Moody, disappointed, deciding to try out possibilities in the United States, bringing his wife and large family with him. While there are some connections, they don’t eventuate and David Smallbone and his family find that they have to take on menial jobs to make ends meet.

With this aspect, the film is about interactions in family, the moods and hopes of the father, the particular talents and behaviour of the children, but the very strong anchor in the family, the mother, played with some charm and conviction by Daisy Betts.

There are suspicions of the Australians, but there is a gradually settling and staying in the United States. In fact, two of the boys are successful with King and Country and there is drama about auditions for Rebecca, her talents, her not being the right voice at times, but her ultimate success. She and the group have won Grammys.

A number of the family have participated in the making of this film, particularly Joel David Smallbone, singer, co-director, and particularly striking in playing his father on screen.

1. Based on a true story, actual characters? The writer-director writing about his family, especially his parents, and his portraying his father? Family, the religious background, in Australia, in the US, struggles, success, agency, singers? Careers?
2. The target audience, a faith audience, the story told in a style for this audience, its expectations? The religious dimensions, religion and its role in the family and its life? Backer and her singing, for Joel and Luke and For King and Country and their career?
3. The Australian background, life in Australia, the 1990s, talk of the recession, the Torah Amy Grant, the collapse of the tour, financial difficulties? The effect on David small and, his career, collapse, relationship with his family, moods? Relationship with his father and mother, the encouragement of his father?
4. Prospects in the United States, the decision to go, for six months, the imposition on his wife, but her courage, determination, the young children, the older children, support? David and his fragility at this time? The arrival of the United States, visas, suspicions of the authorities, the blessing that the mother had written that the state would be six months? Their being allowed in?
5. Setting up, the local church, the Albright’s and their help? Kindness? The effect on the family, the house, no furniture, meals, difficulties with money, the shopping, no car…? The managing, faith and cheerfulness?
6. The strength of Helen, her personality, the support of her husband, mothering the children, strong determination, making good of every situation? Her feelings of exasperation, difficulties with David and his moods? His decisions?
7. The business prospects in the United States, hope for signing the artist, signing with another company? The cleaning of the house of Eddy, his tour Australia, his awareness of David?
8. The various jobs, hardships, the church, making do, special events, the gift of the car, the building up confidence, school, settling into the US? But the pressure of her mother urging Helen to come home? David in contact with his father, his father’s continued encouragement? The news of his father’s death, the grief by being in America?
9. Rebecca, her ability and singing, her father encouraging her, but critical, thinking it too early? Her taking a stand, planning, writing, singing, the audition, not accepted?
10. David, some moodiness, despair, turning against the Albright and not wanting charity? However support, his coming through this?
11. Rebecca, her success, Eddy supporting, the style of music and singing, her career?
12. The younger children, their support, the bonds within the family, the characters of the younger children, love and friendship? Joel and Luke, music – in view of their later successful careers?
13. Final success, achievement? And the role of faith and commitment?