Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot movie review

MOVIE TITLE:     Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot movie review

This dramatic film based on a true story releases on July 4, 2024 in theaters.

RATING:    PG-13

LENGTH:      2 hours 7 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

The fight for kids begins now. Twenty-two families from a rural Black church in the small east Texas town of Possum Trot adopt 77 of the most difficult-to-place kids in the foster system.  The film is inspired by the true story of Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin and their tiny Bennett Chapel church.

The film was directed and produced by Joshua Weigel, who also co-wrote it with Rebekah Weigel. The executive producer was Letitia Wright from the movie Black Panther.

“Last year, Angel Studios started on a mission to help kids by shining a light on child trafficking in the movie Sound of Freedom. This year, Sound of Hope shines a light on a solution,” shares Jared Geesey, Chief Distribution Officer of Angel Studios, “An issue this big deserves a big release date. With hundreds of thousands of local churches and civic organizations in America, there are more than enough resources to ensure every child has a safe and loving home.”

THINGS I LIKED:

• The film begins with an adorable sneak peek at Angel Studio’s animation of David.  www.TheDavidMovie.com  The animation is stunning and the short clip we see is immensely charming.  I can’t wait to see the whole thing!
• Nika King is absolutely fantastic and is the heart of this movie as a mother who loves and protects with fierce determination.  What an angel of a mother.
• Demetrius Grosse plays Reverend Martin, a fiery preacher who is the guiding light for his small congregation.
• Elizabeth Mitchell is immediately likeable as Susan, the strong advocate for children.  She’s the only actress I recognized in the film.  Sadly, the real Susan in the true story passed away a few years ago and never got to see this film.  It honors her well.
• Diaana Babnicova gives a powerful performance as she allows us to see her build up emotional walls and then tear them down when she learns to accept love.
• The color palette is rich.
• Beautiful cinematography.
• I loved watching the grandma touch the photos of her family as she prayed for each person.  What a sweet legacy of faith.
• The actors all did a fantastic job.  They seemed like real people and not actors.
• Bring tissues.  You will cry.
• Be prepared.  You’re going to want to foster or adopt a child after you see this movie.  Before the rolling credits at the end of the movie, we learn that there are 400,000 kids in the foster system today with 100,000 waiting to be adopted.
• Great musical score and soundtrack.
• The title “Sound of Hope” is perfect.
• Even if you’re not religious, you’ll enjoy this film. 
• You have to admit that the power of community is so vital to our society’s success.  I loved watching the struggling families come together to show support to one another in various ways.
• The set designs truly take you back in time to 1996 when the story began.
• At the end of the movie, we get to see video footage of Possum Trot today (2024) and the real families this story is about.  Their story was also featured on the Oprah Winfrey show years ago. 
• We get to hear a motivating message from the words of the real Bishop Martin and Donna Martin at the end of the movie.  They encourage movie viewers to scan a QR code on the movie screen to “Pay it Forward” by purchasing a ticket so someone else can see the movie who couldn’t otherwise afford it, offering a bonus scene as a thank you for those who do.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• There are a lot of heartbreaking images and moments. While the story is, ultimately, extremely inspiring, it’s not appropriate for young families to watch together.  Just know that ahead of time as you plan your theater trip.
• A little bit more humor would have helped to balance out all of the drama and tough scenes.
• Some viewers may not like the commercial at the end of the movie.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:    

• We see physical abuse when a man beats up a woman and kills her with a gun.
• There are disturbing images of children who were abused and neglected.
• A boy has severe mental disabilities.
• Lots of bickering
• It’s not necessarily a feel-good, family-friendly movie in that it shows a very realistic look at the ups and downs and even traumas of bringing foster children into your home.
• Some profanity but no F-bombs.

THEMES:

• Family
• The power and influence of a good mother
• Dealing with grief
• Suicidal thoughts and depression
• Adoption and fostering children
• Hypocrisy
• Parenting struggles
• The power of community

FUNNY LINES:

“Two babies.  That cute.  You ain’t even got started yet.” – Grandma
  

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Down to the deepest part of my soul, I know the Lord is good.  And when your world is shaking and it all falls down around you, and you plead with Him to stop it, but He don’t, you forget that He is ever-present.” –  First Lady  (Donna Martin)
• “We can’t just look away.” – First Lady  (Donna Martin)
• “Religious guilt can’t fix a broken child’s heart.” –  Susan Mitchell  (Elizabeth Mitchell)     “Love can.” – First Lady  (Donna Martin)
• “Love is kind.  Love protects.  And love never gives up.” – First Lady  (Donna Martin)
• “We say we believe that we’ll follow Him wherever He leads.  The truth is you won’t even know if you have faith until something weighs down on it with all its might.  Then, you see what’s inside, and if you follow to that place, you will become like the one who leads you or you will find that you never knew Him.” – First Lady  (Donna Martin)

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

• Instant Family:  https://moviereviewmom.com/instant-family-movie-review/
• Foster:  https://amzn.to/4chOkRD
• The Blind Side:  https://amzn.to/4bWALYk

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