The new faith-driven film “Unsung Hero,” which hit theaters on April 26, is celebrating a major win after securing the No. 2 spot at the box office this past weekend.
The movie grossed more than $7.7 million during its opening weekend, beating out “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “Civil War,” and “Abigail,” which garnered $7.2 million, $7 million, and $5.2 million, respectively, per Box Office Mojo. The film was surpassed by only the “Challengers,” a romantic sports drama starring Zendaya, which grossed $15 million in ticket sales.
The biographical drama from Lionsgate and produced by Kingdom Story Company, the studio behind “Jesus Revolution,” tells the incredible true story of David and Helen Smallbone and their children, including daughter Rebecca and sons Joel and Luke, better known as Christian artists Rebecca St. James and For King & Country.
After Mr. David Smallbone’s successful music business in Australia goes under, the couple decides to relocate to the United States in search of a better life. Despite their struggles, “a mum’s faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs,” per the film’s synopsis.
Mr. Luke Smallbone expounded on his family’s riveting journey during a recent interview with Manny the Movie Guy.
“My dad actually was a concert promoter in Australia, and one particular tour that he brought back to Australia, uh, the tour didn’t go very well, and we lost everything we had as a family—we lost the house, the car, the life savings,” he explained.
‘Unsung Hero’
The four-time Grammy Award-winning For King & Country pop duo told the film critic they regularly shared their family’s moving story during their concerts. Seeing its positive impact on their audiences, they decided to bring the Smallbone family’s tale to life on the big screen.Mr. Luke Smallbone co-produced “Unsung Hero,” while Mr. Joel Smallbone co-wrote, co-directed, and even starred in the film, stepping into his father’s shoes in the new movie.
On April 30, the latter took to Instagram to share that he and his entire family were “overwhelmed” that the film nabbed the country’s No. 2 spot in theaters.
“Thank you for believing, for putting Mum’s, miracles and family in front of America and the world,” he shared.
A Story of Faith
The movie’s star-studded cast includes Candace Cameron Bure, who is also its executive producer. The “Full House” star plays Kay Albright, who, along with her husband Jed, played by “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” actor Lucas Black, plays a pivotal role in the lives of the Smallbones by helping them in their time of need.“Kay is such a beautiful person inside and out. I got to meet the real Kay on set when we were filming the movie, and she really did have a wonderful influence within their family and was there for them with her husband and helped them get back up on their feet,” Ms. Bure told CBS News.
Although she relished portraying Ms. Albright, the actress—a mother of three—shared that she especially connected with the Smallbone family’s matriarch.
“I really related to Helen as a mom,” Ms. Bure said. “In my experiences in life, um, and watching the film, I really felt like Helen was the unsung hero who made those tough choices to, to pour into her family no matter how devastating the moments felt at the time.
“I feel like there’s a lot of parents—moms and dads—that can often feel like the unsung hero ‘cause you just do so many things in life and to provide for your children and be there for them and, you know, they’re not always recognized,” she continued. “Very rarely are they recognized and applauded, but that’s the will and fight and drive of a parent.”
The power of family is undeniably one of the more prominent themes found throughout “Unsung Hero,” a sentiment Ms. Bure shared during her interview.
However, the film also contains messages of resilience, hope, and—perhaps most importantly—faith.
“I think all things are possible with God,” said Ms. Bure.
