SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT -- Faith-Based Crowd-Pleaser Overcomes Its Flaws With a Noble Message

Review by Sean Boelman

Don’t let the title fool you — Angel Studios’s latest release, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, has no relation to the Christian distributor’s 2023 summer smash hit, Sound of Freedom. Instead, it’s a clever marketing tactic to convince that film’s audience to come out again in the same holiday corridor to see an inspiring movie about kids being saved (literally and figuratively) by the church’s most faithful. However, that might be a misstep, as this crowd-pleaser is more than likable enough to have breakout appeal beyond its core audience of churchgoers.

The film tells the true story of a small-town reverend and his wife as they inspire the families in their church to open their hearts and homes to adopt foster children, especially those who have been abandoned by the system. Of course, the movie provides the audience with plenty of statistics about the foster care system — both then and now — to reinforce the urgency of its message.

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot is the type of movie that effectively conveys its point in the first hour or so. Yet, although Joshua and Rebekah Weigel’s script is melodramatic and incredibly clear about how it wants the audience to feel, it never feels like a blatant tear-jerker. The emotional beats all feel earned and build towards the overall arc and message.

The best faith-based films are not proselytizing or fear-mongering but show genuine compassion, empathy, and kindness; this is where Possum Trot thrives. Yes, the characters are devoted, faithful churchgoers, but that is secondary to the fact that they are just decent human beings. The movie is (rightfully) far more concerned about showing the urgency of the foster crisis that still rages today — even though this story took place decades ago — than it is “converting” the audience.

There are a few moments of poor filmmaking sprinkled throughout. The editing is often a little off, such as in one scene where an insert shot of someone walking interrupts a line. Other aspects of the film are overproduced and maudlin, like the oversaturated cinematography and overbearing score.

Sound of Hope also makes a few missteps regarding its characters. The portrayal of one of the foster children who is particularly troubled and struggles with mental health feels incredibly reductive. Unfortunately, Joshua Weigel seems to have had difficulty getting strong performances out of his youngest actors, directing them in an overwrought and exaggerated way.
​
Thankfully, the adult actors mostly overcome this iffy direction, bringing genuine emotion to their roles. Nika King’s turn is powerful and vulnerable, and she is accented well by supporting actor Demetrius Grosse. Although Grosse’s turn is predominantly flashier, he has a few quieter moments in which he unexpectedly commands the screen. Elizabeth Mitchell makes less of an impression in her supporting role but is acceptable.

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot isn’t without flaws, most of which can be blamed on missteps by Joshua Weigel as director. However, the story itself is so moving that it speaks for itself, and it’s hard to hate what this crowd-pleasing family drama stands for. It’s a rare faith-based film with something positive to say regardless of your faith, and it deserves points for that.

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot hits theaters on July 4.

​Rating: 3/5