“The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” is advocacy cinema.

The movie is based on what happened in a town in Texas.

In Possum Trot, in eastern Texas, there were 22 mostly African-American families, led by a pastor and his wife, who adopted 77 children from the foster-care system.

“The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” tells the story through the lens of a family of the pastor, the Rev. W.C. Martin (Demetrius Grosse), and his wife Donna (Nika King).

The couple had two biological children and adopted four children, beginning in 1996. They led others in their 100-member Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Possum Trot, Tex., to follow their example.

The film is told from the point of view of the pastor’s wife, Donna (Nika King), who narrates the story, comments about it and emphasizes the role of prayer in the decision to adopt, in dealing with the difficult problems of adopted children, and in negotiating the every-day challenges of married life.

At the core of the film is a troubling story about one of the adoptees, Terri (Diaana Babnicova), who spurns attempts at familial love, support and acceptance. Babnicova (TV’s “Little Darlings,” 2022) projects a quiet intensity that masks the despair of the teen-ager she portrays.

Nika King as Donna has tension-filled and tender scenes with the adopted daughter Terri, as well as with Demetrius Grosse as her husband, the Rev. W.C. Martin. As the caring mother and wife, Nika King (TV’s “Euphoria,” 2019-2022) is a gracious and reassuring presence on-screen.

Demetrius Grosse (TV’s “Swagger,” 2021-2023), as the pickup-truck driving pastor, W.C. Martin, creates a powerful and sympathetic performance.

Elizabeth Mitchell (TV’s “The Santa Clauses,” 2022-2024) makes an impression as Susan Ramsey, the no-nonsense Texas foster-care official.

“The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” is directed by Joshua Weigel from a screenplay by Joshua Weigel and Rebekah Weigel.

Weigel, in his feature-film directorial and feature screenplay debut, directs the film in an economical style, with beautiful cinematography by Benji Bakshi and Sean Patrick Kirby.

“The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” is an intense, heartfelt and uplifting film. It’s worth a trip to “Possum Trot.”

“The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,” MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for thematic material involving child abuse, some violence, language and brief suggestive material; Genre: Drama; Run time: 2 hours.10 minutes. Distributed by Angel Studios.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” soundtrack has gospel songs, including “99 1/2 Won’t Do” by Dorothy Love Coates, “Carry You” by Vonzell Solomon and “Glory, Glory” by Odetta. At the film’s conclusion is a request from the real Rev. W.C. Martin and his wife to support adoption.

At The Movies: “The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16. A preview of Angel Studios’ “David,” an animated musical feature film set for 2025 release, preceded the “Possum Trot.”

Adoption information: According to information stated on the screen at the conclusion of “The Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,” there are 400,000 in the foster-care system and 100,000 are in need of adoption.

Information: Child Welfare Information Gateway:

https://www.childwelfare.gov

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, July 26-28: “Deadpool & Wolverine,” teaming Ryan Gosling and Hugh Jackman, broke records, opening at $205 million in 4,210 theaters, spinning “Twisters” from its one-week No. 1 run, dropping one place to No. 2, with a respectable $35.3 million in 4,170 theaters, $154.9 million, two weeks.

3. “Despicable Me 4” dropped one place with $14.2 million in 3,610 theaters, $290.9 million, four weeks. 4. “Inside Out 2” dropped one place, $8.3 million in 3,150 theaters, $613.4 million, seven weeks. 5. “Longlegs” dropped one place, $6.7 million in 2,730 theaters, $58.6 million, three weeks. 6. “A Quiet Place: Day One” dropped one place, $3 million in 1,932 theaters, $134.2 million, five weeks. 7. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” stayed in place, $1.2 million in 1,006 theaters, $191.7 million, eight weeks. 8. “The Fabulous Four,” starring Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally and Sheryl Lee Ralph in the comedy, opening, $1 million in 1,045 theaters. 9. “Fly Me to the Moon” dropped three places, $750,000 in 1,314 theaters, $19.1 million, three weeks. 10. “Raayan,” a Tamil-language action crime film from India, opening, $453,000 in 133 theaters.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of July 28 is subject to change.

Unreel, Aug. 2:

“Trap,” PG-13: M. Night Shyamalan directs Josh Hartnett, Kid Cudi, Allison Pill and Haley Mills in the Crime Horror film. A father and his teen daughter attend a concert that is a terrorist trap.

“Harold and the Purple Crayon,” PG: Carlos Saldanha directs Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel, Lil Rel Howery, Jemaine Clement, Benjamin Bottani, Tanya Reynolds and Alfred Molina (as the narrator) in the Adventure, Comedy Animation film. Harold draws from life with his crayon.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of July 28 are subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes