Film Review: UNSUNG HERO (2024): Daisy Betts is a Standout in a Moving, if Often Familiar, Tale About the Power of the Family Bond

Unsung Hero Review

Unsung Hero (2024) Film Review, a movie directed by Richard L. Ramsey and Joel Smallbone, written by Richard L. Ramsey, Richard Ramsey and Joel Smallbone and starring Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone, Kirrilee Berger, Jonathan Jackson, Lucas Black, Candace Cameron Bure, Paul Luke Bonenfant, Diesel La Torraca, JJ Pantano, Tenz McCall, Angus K. Caldwell, Hillary Scott, Lance E. Nichols, Roslyn Gentle, Sonny Burnette, Joe Chambrello, Mattie Jo Cowsert and Kevin Downes.

Unsung Hero is a very touching film about the powerful bond of family. As directed by Joel Smallbone, it feels somewhat conventional even though it’s based on real events. However, the movie is quite enjoyable thanks to the moving scenes that are interspersed throughout the picture which can inspire audiences in a time where such inspiration is definitely needed. As a drama, it’s old hat in terms of its basic story line but as a piece of sincere filmmaking, it’s a wholly successful effort.

Daisy Betts is the star of Unsung Hero. Betts is nothing short of amazing in her role as Helen Smallbone, a mom of several children who is married to a struggling musical manager named David (played by Joel Smallbone, himself). When David has a deal go awry and his latest effort flounders, he’s left going belly up, financially speaking, which concerns Helen who is looking out for the best interests of her large family. In fact, another baby is on the way. The family picks up and leaves Australia but has a hard time getting through customs going to America. A letter which was written by Helen’s mom spells out the situation for the customs officer even though the likelihood of the Smallbone family staying in America was very unlikely.

But, the deal David was counting on falls through and the family ends up working on lawns and cleaning houses to make ends meet. In a clever scene, one of the kids cuts coupons for Helen who ends up saving money on groceries after previously not being able to afford her full bill during checkout time at the supermarket. The child who is the most earnest is Rebecca (Kirrilee Berger) who has a singing voice that belts out songs that sound like they’re playing on the radio. She will eventually be the key to the family’s fortunes changing for the better.

David, Helen and their family meet a couple of nice folks at church named Jed and Kay Albright, played well by Lucas Black and Candace Cameron Bure. This pair, Jed and Kay, is likable enough even though the characters lack development a bit. When Helen has complications after giving birth, the hospital bill is six grand and David can’t afford it, obviously, but in a plot thread right out of Ordinary Angels, the bill is resolved. David automatically believes it was Jed who paid the bill.

There are some good kid actors in the movie. JJ Pantano, as the young Luke, is particularly memorable. The other kids are also satisfactory as performers as their characters help create the family bond that guides the movie through the events that occur in the picture. When the family first gets to America, they have no beds to sleep in and Helen must make little beds out of sheets and blankets. The family then decides to post their goals on a board as they go after what they want to achieve and try to make the money they need to make to survive until Rebecca reaches her peak as a musical artist. David loses faith a lot throughout the picture and makes Rebecca cry at one point but everything is going to be OK because this is a feel-good movie from Lionsgate and Kingdom. However, it’s a really nice film that doesn’t lose the audience in any of the familiar elements the movie portrays to viewers.

Despite its familiarity, Unsung Hero is a powerful story but it would be less compelling without Daisy Betts who makes this role her own and commands the audience’s respect and attention at all times. Joel Smallbone is good at portraying his character’s negativity and the viewer will hope that he can bounce back and save his family from falling into poverty. Jonathan Jackson also appears in a key role as Eddie who ends up becoming a big player in the action through a very important decision or two he makes in the picture.

Unsung Hero is not boring at all though the full-length trailer for the film gives more away than it should. Rebecca doesn’t became a large part of the action until at least midway through and some of her scenes move too fast and aren’t as well developed as the ones between the characters of Helen and David. Unfortunately, Berger, as Rebecca, doesn’t get as much screen time as she should since she is the main player in the action by the time the end credits roll.

There’s a lot to admire about Unsung Hero, particularly a song performance by Berger towards the end which will bring the house to tears of joy. I liked this movie even though it feels like we get a similar project to this one once a year. Unsung Hero is in the vein of 2018’s  I Can Only Imagine and is just as good, overall. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and be merry but if not for Daisy Betts, the movie wouldn’t have as strong a heartbeat as it does in the end. Betts is pure gold in a movie that has a built-in audience who will love it.

Rating: 7/10

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