christian movie review the hill

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Common Sense Media Review

Fact-based sports drama highlights the power of faith.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Hill is a Christian sports drama based on the true story of Rickey Hill (Colin Ford), who defied the odds to play baseball professionally. Faith is central to the story: Rickey's father, Pastor Hill (Dennis Quaid), is a Southern Baptist pastor in small-town Texas in the 1960s,…

Why Age 9+?

Smoking throughout. Chewing and spitting tobacco, which is depicted as gross. A

Fist fight. A person with a disability is hit hard with a baseball. Corporal pun

Language includes "crap" and "doing our damnedest." A tween says, "oh shiiii---"

Coca-Cola is seen throughout, including in celebrations and positive moments, in

Romantic subplot with a kiss. An 18-year-old briefly dates her boss.

Any Positive Content?

Rickey Hill demonstrates perseverance, integrity, and humility, as well as stron

Even when the odds are against you, to achieve your dream, you've got to keep sw

Main character Rickey (played by non-disabled actor Colin Ford) has an unspecifi

Parents need to know that The Hill is a Christian sports drama based on the true story of Rickey Hill ( Colin Ford ), who defied the odds to play baseball professionally. Faith is central to the story: Rickey's father, Pastor Hill ( Dennis Quaid ), is a Southern Baptist pastor in small-town Texas in the 1960s, and the Bible is frequently quoted, interpreted, and discussed. Characters frequently smoke and spit tobacco, and someone who's drunk gets into a fist fight when he's stopped from driving. Infrequent language includes words like "crap" and "damnedest," as well as ableist insults ("gimp"). Ricky is the target of bullying and gets hit hard with a baseball. Corporal punishment is threatened, and spousal abuse is indicated via a woman's black eye. The main characters' portrayals offer food for thought/discussion: Rickey demonstrates that while you may "only need faith the size of a mustard seed" to do the impossible, achievement requires perseverance. And Pastor Hill may be a good man and loving father, but his arc also shows that parents need to be open to listening to their kids about the ways they'd like to be supported.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Smoking throughout. Chewing and spitting tobacco, which is depicted as gross. A drunk character gets into a fight when he's stopped from driving.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Fist fight. A person with a disability is hit hard with a baseball. Corporal punishment is threatened with a belt, but the action isn't completed. Spousal abuse indicated via a woman's black eye. Bullying behavior includes taunting and name-calling; the person who does this is scolded on more than one occasion.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "crap" and "doing our damnedest." A tween says, "oh shiiii---" then changes to "shoot" when he realizes he's in earshot of an adult. "Cripple" is used by Rickey, his father, and others to describe Rickey's difficulty in mobility. Ableist insults directed at Rickey, who wears leg braces to walk, include "gimp," "jelly legs," and "robot boy."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Coca-Cola is seen throughout, including in celebrations and positive moments, indicating likely product placement. RC Cola is also mentioned once.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Role Models

Rickey Hill demonstrates perseverance, integrity, and humility, as well as strong faith in God and in himself. He overcomes significant physical, financial, and family adversity to pursue his dream of playing baseball. He and his brother and sister are loving, learned, responsible, and are willing to speak truth to power, no matter the consequences. Faith-based audiences may be impressed by the fact that 10-year-old Rickey has an extensive amount of Biblical Scripture memorized and can quote it at will, with understanding of its meaning. Pastor Hill is a loving father and community leader; he becomes too rigid in his own beliefs, but he's able to recognize his own faults/flaws in time.

Positive Messages

Even when the odds are against you, to achieve your dream, you've got to keep swinging. Also several scripture-based messages, including "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

Diverse Representations

Main character Rickey (played by non-disabled actor Colin Ford) has an unspecified physical disability that requires him to use leg braces to walk. Some people assume that means he's incapable, and he's constantly over performing to prove differently. He's later diagnosed with another condition. According to the movie he is, at least temporarily, cured by miracles. Rickey's family is lives in poverty in rural Texas, and the challenges that come with economic disparity are reflected through the story. Most characters (including all main characters) are White. The exceptions are a kind Black boy who befriends Rickey on the baseball field (and later connects with him as an adult athlete) and a baseball scout. Female depictions fall in line with a 1963 patriarchal point of view: Gram advocates for her nutritionally deficient daughter and grandchildren, and Pastor Hill labels her as a complainer, comparing her to his wife Helen who "never complains" and is therefore a "good wife." Another woman explains that her bruised eye was the result of her sharing her opinion with her surly husband.

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents Say (5)
• Kids Say (1)

Based on 5 parent reviews

Great Family Movie

What's the story.

Based on a true story, THE HILL follows Rickey Hill ( Colin Ford ), who dreams of being a professional baseball player. Rickey is a natural-born slugger, but an unspecified physical disability means that he can't walk without leg braces. His preacher father, Pastor Hill ( Dennis Quaid ), wants Rickey to put childhood fantasies away, but Rickey has faith that God wouldn't have given him talent if he wasn't intended to use it.

Is It Any Good?

Warm up the apple pie for your movie nibbles, the ingredients of this sports drama are God, baseball, and "old-fashioned American values." Thick with earnestness and devout Christian perspectives, the script -- from the screenwriter of Rudy and Hoosiers -- has a solid structure but is heavy-handed. This is not Christian-lite: It's the faithiest faith film about faith for the faithful. In many ways, The Hill plays into stereotypes and even somewhat perpetuates the attitudes of the era it's set in. And yet by making a "villain" (of sorts) out of Pastor Hill -- a good man who's doing his best to support and guide his family and his community but simultaneously refusing to let his son follow his dream to try to protect him -- it delivers thoughtful nuance. It's not a grand slam, but The Hill is rich with conversation starters. And faith-based audiences will be thrilled to see a thoughtful exploration of scripture.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how Rickey demonstrates perseverance , integrity , and gratitude in The Hill . Why are these important character strengths? Do you consider him a role model?

What's the point of showing Pastor Hill allow parishoners to smoke in church, even though he doesn't agree with it? Is tobacco use glamorized?

What skills or talent do you have? What purpose do you think it could serve as you grow up?

Do you think this movie is intended solely for Christian audiences? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

• In theaters : August 25, 2023
• On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2023
• Cast : Dennis Quaid , Joelle Carter , Colin Ford
• Director : Jeff Celentano
• Studio : Briarcliff Entertainment
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Brothers and Sisters , Great Boy Role Models , High School , History , Middle School
• Character Strengths : Communication , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
• Run time : 126 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : thematic content, language, and smoking throughout
• Last updated : September 3, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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What to watch next.

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THE HILL (2023)

"a true miracle".

What You Need To Know:

Miscellaneous Immorality: Nothing else objectionable.

More Detail:

THE HILL is a new biographical sports drama based on the true story of Rickey Hill. It stars Dennis Quaid and Colin Ford.

The movie opens with a young Rickey hitting stones with a stick in his backyard. His father, a local pastor in a rural Texas town, and his siblings watch Rickey hit rock after rock with unique accuracy.

Rickey loves his family, God and has a dream to play baseball. However, he was born with a degenerative spinal disease that results in him having to wear leg braces. This makes it hard for him to run and walk.

As he grows up, his family can barely afford new leg braces. Moreover, after Rickey’s father calls out his Baptist congregation for smoking and drinking during church, he is excommunicated. So, they are forced to pack what little belongings they have into their station wagon and find a new home. Rickey and his family face obstacle after obstacle, but Rickey’s love for the game and courage to never quit leads him to start playing real baseball. His father disapproves and would rather Rickey protect his health and become a pastor. As a result, his father never attends his games. If it were up to his father, Rickey would have to choose baseball or God. However, Rickey believes he can honor God by playing baseball.

THE HILL is an inspiring, uplifting, and biblical movie about the miracle God works on Rickey Hill. It champions faith, and never quitting despite our circumstances. It also shows a compelling, authentic family dynamic between Rickey and the rest of his family. Through forgiveness and humility, the Hill family learns to love one another and trust God’s plan above their own.

Despite some brief moments of violence, a scene where congregants in a church are smoking and drinking, and some brief, mild language, THE HILL is a classic sports drama akin to other movies in the genre like RUDY and HOOSIERS, which were also written by THE HILL’s c-writer, Angelo Pizzo. However, THE HILL has a strong, more overt Christian worldview. Colin Ford and Dennis Quaid deliver superb performances as Rickey and his father. The movie moves along at a pace that will captivate audiences of many different ages. THE HILL is a hope-filled movie with an unashamed emphasis on God’s ability to work miracles in anyone. MOVIEGUIDE® does advise caution for younger children due to brief foul language, smoking and two scenes of drunkenness.

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• DVD & Streaming
• Biography/History , Christian , Drama , Sports

Content Caution

In Theaters

• August 18, 2023
• Dennis Quaid as James Hill; Scott Glenn as Red Murff; Joelle Carter as Helen Hill; Colin Ford as Rickey Hill; Bonnie Bedelia as Gram; Wilbur Fitzgerald as Josh Meyers; Siena Bjornerud as Gracie Shantz; Mila Harris as Young Gracie; James Devoti as Earl Shantz; Justin Miles as Ned; Adrian Eppley as Mariah; Mark Rowe as Chuck Calhoun; Monica Louwerens as Patsy Shantz; Jesse Berry as Young Rickey Hill; Taylor St. Clair as Mrs. Babbitt; Carina Worm as Connie Hill; Tyrik Johnson as Young Jason; Pilot Bunch as Young Quinn

Home Release Date

• October 17, 2023
• Jeff Celentano

Distributor

• Briarcliff Entertainment

Positive Elements   |   Spiritual Elements   |   Sexual & Romantic Content   |   Violent Content   |   Crude or Profane Language   |   Drug & Alcohol Content   |   Other Noteworthy Elements   | Conclusion

Movie Review

David and Goliath tales aren’t hard to come by. But The Hill, based on a true story, is one that hits a home run (in more ways than one).  

In this case, Rickey Hill’s obstacle is not a seven-foot giant. Instead, he faces a degenerative spine disease that threatens both his dreams of playing Major League Baseball and his ability to walk.

To his father, James, Rickey’s disability is God’s sign to pursue “a higher calling.” As James sees it, baseball was a distraction from meaningfully serving God, anyway. But even as a small child, Rickey disagrees. What if he can serve God through his passion?

As much as The Hill is a story about baseball, it’s also a story about family. A poor Baptist preacher, James Hill does everything he can to provide for his wife, children and mother-in-law. Although he allows his feelings about baseball and his son’s calling to become a somewhat adversarial a spiritual stance, James truly has his family’s best interest in mind.

In the end, both James and Rickey have a lot to learn about God’s will.

Positive Elements

In good and bad times, the Hill family rallies to support one another. Even when an entire town unites against them, Helen boldly (and publicly) stands up for her husband. And although she may disagree with some of James’ decisions, Helen faithfully backs his leadership in their family and church.

The Hill kids also exemplify healthy relationships. For the most part, Rickey and his siblings, Robert and Connie, respect their father’s wishes even when they disagree with him. When the kids do make mistakes, they take ownership of their mistakes and respectfully accept the consequences. The kids display positive relationships with one another, as well. Robert, the oldest sibling, supports Rickey by helping him practice baseball and standing up to bullies.

One character also goes on a spiritual journey, moving from pride to humility and repenting in front of an entire congregation.

Spiritual Elements

Early on, James preaches a sermon on David and Goliath, and it’s clear that The Hill is loosely framed as a metaphorical take on that story. Characters make several other biblical references as well.

James constantly instructs his kids to meditate on Scripture, and Rickey displays an impressive understanding and knowledge of the Bible. The Hill family prays together. And they remind one another of biblical truth and hope. We also see characters desperately beg God for His help in dire situations.

James steadfastly holds to his beliefs. For instance, when his mother-in-law suggests he ignore certain behaviors in church, he responds that he cannot apologize for doing what’s right. James also claims that baseball cards “sell the worship of false idols” and that baseball could damage Rickey’s soul.

In a particularly tense moment of the movie, James tells Rickey he must choose between God’s will and his own will (which, to James, is playing baseball). Rickey argues that he feels God’s presence when he plays baseball.

[ Spoiler Warning : In the end, James realizes that the convictions he’s held regarding his faith and baseball have been proud and arrogant, and he admits those failings to his congregation.]

Cross decorations are seen in the Hill’s home, and Rickey draws a cross with his bat in a baseball game. At one point, Rickey says he believes his girlfriend, Gracie, is an angel. And he claims that saying, “Cross your heart and hope to die” is a heathen vow. Someone also uses the popular Christian cliché, “When the good Lord shuts a door, He opens a window.” Someone describes a place as “Satan’s saloon.”

Sexual & Romantic Content

When they are kids, Gracie claims that Rickey is her boyfriend, and she sends him letters reiterating this idea. When Rickey is in high school, one character mentions breaking up with her boyfriend. Later, two high school characters begin a romantic relationship in which they hold hands and lean on each other’s shoulders. This couple also kisses.

Violent Content

It is implied that Gracie’s mother experiences marital abuse, and we see her face covered with bruises. There’s also a moment in which a character is on her death bed. We watch as she peacefully passes away, and characters attend her funeral.

Throughout the film, several people vent their anger by kicking or throwing objects. (Later, they usually resolve their feelings in healthier ways.) In one moment of anger, Helen throws a ceramic plate on the floor next to James.

In an attempt to prevent someone from driving drunk, James starts a tussle with a man. This man also attempts to push one of James’ children. In a particularly tense moment in the film, James discovers that his children have disobeyed him. He plans to discipline one of them with his belt.

Kids bully Ricky for his disability when he’s younger. When Robert tries to stand up for him, the bully pushes him. And throughout the film, Rickey’s disability causes him immense pain. Several times, his condition causes him to collapse in agony. We also hear medical descriptions of Rickey’s troubling condition.

Crude or Profane Language

[ Note: Plugged In received an early review screener of The Hill that included some profanity that was edited in the final cut. We were alerted to this discrepency and have re-watched the final cut of the film, which has fewer language concerns. Those that remain in the final cut are noted below. ]

Little Rickey says, “Daddy’s a bada–.” In a moment of deep frustration after a car runs out of gas, James Hill repeatedly kicks the vehicle and screams either “god” or “gah” six times. He also says “oh my god!” in another scene. Two characters exclaim, “Lord!” We hear one use each of “d–n” and “d–nedest.” There are three uses each of “heck” and “crap,” as well as single uses each of “dang” and “darn.” Characters use the phrase “don’t know spit” three times, and one person nearly says the s-word before changing it to “shoot.”

There are a couple of uses of “butt” and one of “hind ends.” A professional baseball scout says admirably of Rickey’s determination, “The boy’s got himself some cajones.” Someone says “jack squat.”

Several people meanly call Rickey a “gimp” because of his disability. Rickey and Gracie both playfully label themselves as “dorks.”

Drug & Alcohol Content

In church scenes, characters are seen smoking and spitting tobacco. James quickly calls out these characters’ behaviors. A man walks out of a bar, drunk, and attempts to drive home. Another character references his drinking, smoking and gambling habits. Before a game, someone promises Rickey a six-pack of alcohol.

Other Noteworthy Elements

Although the Hill family generally has healthy relational interactions, we see a few moments of dysfunction. James’ mother-in-law vocally contradicts many of his decisions, and her dissention can spark arguments.

The kids play baseball against their father’s will, even forging his signature to get on a team. One day, Helen gives the kids her permission to play on the Sabbath against her husband’s wishes.

Once Rickey does begin playing baseball, James refuses to attend any of his games out of personal conviction.

At times, Christian movies can feel formulaic and forced, sometimes preferring sermonizing to storytelling. The Hill generally avoids that approach, allowing the story to speak for itself.

Where the movie succeeds is also where it might stumble slightly for some families and Christian movie fans. In its efforts to keep things as authentic as possible, The Hill includes a bit of profanity as well as tobacco references, content that might be incrementally grittier than some would expect.

That said, Rickey’s story is powerful. Not only does the movie communicate an inspiring message about overcoming obstacles, it also demonstrates what it looks like to keep your faith despite discouragement from other believers.

Although James Hill is a Baptist preacher, and his career is a central part of the story, The Hill avoids preaching. Instead, we see how God’s power and faithfulness are more effectively illustrated by a movie that focuses on this narrative rather than trying to preach a sermon.

And you know what? God’s hand is testimony enough.

Sarah Rasmussen

Sarah Rasmussen is the Plugged In intern for Summer 2023.

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Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Movie Review: ‘The Hill’

NEW YORK (OSV News) – Underdog stories have a broad appeal, especially when they occur in real life. So the tale of Texan Rickey Hill’s against-the-odds struggle to become a major league baseball player should, potentially, make for an engaging film. As the drama “The Hill” (Briarcliff) demonstrates, however, theory is one thing, execution another.

Viewers will undoubtedly sympathize with the youthful protagonist of director Jeff Celentano’s earnest profile, played by Jesse Berry as a boy in the 1960s and by Colin Ford as an early-70s high schooler. They’ll be rooting for Rickey as he faces down the formidable obstacles he will have to overcome to achieve his dream.

These include both daunting physical disabilities and the determined opposition of his evangelical minister father, James (Dennis Quaid), who wants Rickey to take to the pulpit, not the diamond. For reasons not fully explored, James also seems to regard America’s pastime as some sort of heathenish enterprise, perhaps because it’s sometimes played on Sundays.

Sustained by faith, and by the unwavering support of his childhood sweetheart, Grace (Siena Bjornerud), Rickey battles on toward his goal. As he does so, screenwriters Angelo Pizzo and Scott Marshall Smith keep objectionable elements to a minimum, making Rickey’s biography a suitable offering for teens as well as grown-ups.

Yet, as admirable as the filmmakers’ evident intentions are, their movie makes for an awkward piece of entertainment. There’s a starchy tone to the proceedings that diminishes the emotional impact of Rickey’s travails. And the main characters’ penchant for sententiously quoting scripture further dilutes the production’s effectiveness.

While aesthetic craft may be lacking in these respects, “The Hill” does, nonetheless, constitute uplifting fare. Naive but generally wholesome, it’s a pleasant diversion with an inspiring – and implicitly pro-life – takeaway.

The film contains a single use of profanity and a couple of instances each of milder swearing and crass language. The OSV News classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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The inspirational sports drama “The Hill,” about the poor and disabled son of a preacher who becomes a professional baseball player, feels longer than it is because the characterizations and story don’t rise to meet the acting and filmmaking and because almost everyone in the movie (save for a bully and his cronies, briefly glimpsed in two scenes) is so earnest and well-meaning. It’s the equivalent of a church service by a pastor who’s good at his job but lacks the spark that makes people say amen without prompting. 

Directed by Jeff Celentano from a script by the late  Scott Marshall Smith (“Men of Honor”) and Angelo Pizzo (who wrote the classics “ Rudy ” and “ Hoosiers “), “The Hill” retells the true story of Fort Worth, Texas native Rickey Marshall. Like Pizzo’s signature screenplays, this tale is in the spirit of the original “ Rocky ,” where the hero’s achievements are far more modest than the Hollywood usual but stirring (arguably more so) because the stakes are small and the obstacles relatable. Hill, a Baptist preacher’s son, grew up fantasizing about playing Major League baseball despite a degenerative spinal disease that forced him into leg braces. He also grew up so poor that his family couldn’t afford proper equipment: he taught himself to hit using sticks and stones, with his older brother pitching and coaching. Despite all this, Hill developed into a power hitter, played three months for the Montreal Expos at 19, and made it through four seasons in the minor leagues.

The problem isn’t that this is a faith-based film aimed at a specific market niche (some of the greatest films ever made focus on spirituality). It’s the project’s bland vision. Even legitimate, painful conflicts between characters with equally valid but irreconcilable agendas (such as the hero, who is torn between what he believes to be two destinies, playing ball and following in his preacher dad’s footsteps) feel programmed even though they’re drawn from life. It doesn’t help that the hero and a few other major characters (including his love interest) have two-and-a-half dimensions at best and are so altogether pleasant, even when distressed or angry, that it’s hard to see how anyone could have rational (or even irrational) objections to anything they do, say, or want. 

Jesse Berry (of “9-1-1: Lone Star”) plays Rickey as a boy, and Colin Ford (“Under the Dome”) steps in to play the teenage version. The film’s minimal edge comes from Rickey’s relationship with his dad, James ( Dennis Quaid ). James believes his son’s destiny is to succeed him behind the pulpit, opposes his baseball dreams, and even likens his secret baseball card collection to a gallery of false idols. This is reminiscent of both versions of “ The Jazz Singer ,” the story of a young man who would rather be a secular musical performer than a cantor, except that in this case, the hero loves preaching the word and is great at it. (“I thought I was going to be the best Baptist preacher,”  Hill told Risen magazine . “I was going to be the next Billy Graham.”) 

Whenever “The Hill” lets Rickey and James verbally spar about faith and sports, the movie transcends cliche. The screenplay lets opposing forces gently push against each other without resolution. You get a clear sense of how people’s conditioning and pathologies impede them from making the right choice. Young Rickey eloquently explains to his father that he can be God’s representative on the field as effectively as he can in a church and that the two callings are not in opposition, then gives him a drawing of a baseball diamond in which opposing bases have been connected with straight lines to create a cross shape. You’d think such a display of creative imagination and sincerity would persuade the boy’s father to change his mind and support him, but no. He lets Rickey play ball, but six years later, when Rickey is a high school star, he tells visitors to the family’s home that he has yet to attend a game. (No bets will be taken on whether Dad eventually shows up in the stands.)

When it’s not wrestling (however nicely) with spiritual matters, “The Hill” is a well-meaning but dutiful trudge toward an ordained destination. Nearly every scene extends the expected beats and moments for no apparent reason (this isn’t  Slow Cinema ; it’s just slow). Despite building nearly every scene around him, it never gives us any sense of Rickey’s emotional interior. He’s just a polite, talented kid who wants to do a thing but is restrained from doing it by people who mean well. The central relationship’s potential is blunted, too. Except in the verbal duets between father and son, James is an emotionally constipated scold who is established as having a good heart beneath it all. The movie allows him to be stubborn and unreasonable, but it doesn’t have the nerve to let him cross over into monstrousness or even sustained dislikability. There’s a scene where James takes Rickey’s older brother Robert (Mason Gillett) behind the house to whip him with a belt as punishment for supporting Rickey’s baseball dreams, but during the windup, he chokes back tears and sends him inside unscathed. Brutal physical punishment still happens in American homes, including ones where families attend church together and contemplate the life and teachings of Jesus. But this is not the kind of movie that will show the contradiction and complexity of that life by having a movie star beat a child. 

Most of the characters are a notch or two above “types.” Ricky’s girlfriend Grace (played by Siena Bjornerud as a teen and Mila Harris as a child) is confident and mature throughout, tossing out snappy patter that suggests that somebody ran the Annie Savoy character from “ Bull Durham ” through a “Gilmore Girls” filter. Scott Glenn shows up late in the movie as the baseball scout who lets Rickey strut his stuff (a 40-years-later “Right Stuff” reunion for him and Quaid) and manages to convince us that the character had a full and fascinating life before he stepped into the frame. But that’s the sort of alchemy that has more to do with the depth of an actor’s skills and experience than the story he’s helping tell. 

Joelle Carter , so fiery on “Justified,” gets one sustained, powerful scene as James’ wife Helen, who would like to oppose him but can’t summon the strength, but she’s otherwise sidelined and sometimes reduced to watching the other characters as if they’re on TV. Bonnie Bedelia , who would be a name-above-the-title movie star in a just world, fares slightly better as the hero’s salt-of-the-earth grandmother, rocking a silver Ma-Joad-goes-to-the-Oscars hairstyle. (Another issue worth getting into somewhere besides this piece: age-wise, the casting in “The Hill” is retro in a bad way. Carter is almost 20 years younger than Quaid, and Bedelia is only eight years older.) 

According to Rickey Hill’s website and pre-release interviews, he now follows in his father’s footsteps by spreading the Good Word while also selling  hemp-based wellness kits . Some people believe that a brief taste of success can be more debilitating for a person than never tasting it at all. Hill doesn’t feel that way. He also doesn’t act as if he was robbed of anything greater than what he got, either by his physical limitations or his upbringing, even though many people who’ve had that sort of experience might feel that way. A documentary about his whole life journey would likely be more compelling than this recreation of his early years. It would have a better shot at depicting Hill and every other important player in his story as a three-dimensional human being. And it might speak to the realities of most people’s lives, which rarely have the perfect dramatic shape (complete with a happy ending) that Hollywood prefers.

Now playing in theaters. 

Matt Zoller Seitz

Matt Zoller Seitz is the Editor-at-Large of RogerEbert.com, TV critic for New York Magazine and Vulture.com, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism.

• Dennis Quaid as James Hill
• Scott Glenn as Red Murff
• Bonnie Bedelia as Gram
• Joelle Carter as Helen Hill
• Colin Ford as Rickey Hill
• Adrian Eppley as Mariah
• Mila Harris as Young Gracie
• Wilbur Fitzgerald as Josh Meyers
• Jesse Berry as Young Rickey Hill
• Angelo Pizzo
• Scott Marshall Smith
• Stephen Hintz
• Aric Hornig
• Douglas Crise
• Geoff Zanelli
• Jeff Celentano

Cinematographer

• Kristopher Kimlin

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Film Review ‘The Hill’

Written by: Kelly Meade (08/23/23)

When god places a calling on your heart, you find that you are able to serve him wherever he leads you. feature film the hill takes viewers into the life of rickey hill – an aspiring baseball player who has overcome personal challenges to pursue his dreams., with faith as a cornerstone in his life growing up, rickey honed his skills with a stick and stone showing signs of being a prodigy in the sport of baseball – even though braces worn on his legs due to a degenerative spinal disease make it difficult for him to walk, much less run., rickey’s father, pastor james hill, is a man who does his best to instill values into his children. though he comes across as a bit stern at times, he believes he is doing the lord’s work. when unforeseen circumstances leave the entire hill family without a place to live, an answer to prayer arrives from an unexpected place offering them a clean slate to start rebuilding their lives., while james remains against rickey playing baseball citing his concern for his son’s well being as well as a personal desire for him to follow in his father’s footsteps of ministry, rickey & his brother seek out the local team to try out. as time goes on, a series of events lead to a firm conversation with his father, rickey believes that baseball may be the path that god truly has him on., by his senior year, rickey had become a star player for his school’s team when an injury sends him to the doctor. there, rickey and his family are given news none of them wanted to hear as a looming surgery puts his future at risk. family & friends refuse to let rickey give up hope during his recovery process. through their encouragement and god’s grace, he exceeds expectations. though many still have their doubts in rickey’s ability to play ball, he proves them wrong and gives his all as long as god allows., hope, determination and never losing faith are the core themes throughout the hill as viewers watch this story based on actual events unfold. whether you’re a fan of baseball or not, this film is sure to inspire many with its message of following where god leads and living for him no matter what., cast includes: jesse berry as young rickey hill colin ford as rickey hill dennis quaid as james hill joelle carter as helen hill mason gillett as young robert hill ryan dinning as robert hill randy houser as ray clemons.

Released: 08/25/23 (Theatrically)

Running Time: 126 Minutes (Rescue Dog Productions)

Rated PG (for thematic content, language, and smoking throughout.)

Links for The Hill:

Official Site

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About the author: kelly meade.

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“The Hill” [Movie Review]

Aug 23, 2023

* *I received compensation and free screener in exchange for my honest review.

This movie is a true story of hope and perseverance.

But there was one unexpected aspect of the the film that encouraged me. I appreciated them showing that poor parenting and spiritual abuse did not keep Rickey from fulfilling his purpose.

In an attempt to be a faithful man, Rickey’s father, a pastor, places his ministry and his own desires for his son above God’s. I struggled to watch how his father abused Scripture and faith in trying to control his congregation and his family.

“When we feel we don’t have enough power on our own to make something happen, we try to ‘pull strings’ with higher authorities. I’ve wondered if Christ becomes angry when Christians use His name to get others to do what they want.”–Jeff VanVonderen in “Tired of Trying to Measure Up”.

I thought, “If his father continues like this I won’t be able to recommend this film”. And then around the 1 hr 45 min mark [SPOILER] Rickey’s father repents publicly. He confesses his faults saying, “I thought I knew God’s plan for my son. But that wasn’t God’s plan that was my plan.”

As parents we are trying our best to shape and mold the lives of our children. But sometimes out of fear and a need to control we misuse the authority of God as we parent our children. I have been guilty of this. And it was encouraging to see Rickey’s testimony that even though his father made mistakes, Rickey kept his faith and followed his God-given assignment on the baseball field.

If you are wondering if this is a film to watch as a family, I would recommend for families with children 10+.

Discussion Guide:

• What is a gift/talent you have?
• How can mom/dad support you in developing that gift?
• Is there anything I’ve said or done that makes you feel like I’m forcing my plans instead of helping you pursue God’s?
• What’s something hard you have endured and had to hope would get better?

You can watch the trailer here .

• Website https://www.thehillmov.com/
• Instagram  @thehillmov
• Facebook The Hill Mov ie
• X/Twitter @TheHillMov
• Hashtag  #TheHillMovie

Tickets on Sale now. Head to  https://www.thehillmov.com/  to purchase tickets.

Only in Theaters Starting August 25th.

Be sure to catch THE HILL, an inspiring true story of a sandlot baseball phenom, the son of a traveling Pastor, who overcomes insurmountable odds, to fulfill his dream of playing pro baseball. Only in theaters starting August 25. Get Tickets:  TheHillMov.com

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‘the hill’ review: dennis quaid in a flawed but effective feel-good drama of faith, family and sports.

This inspirational film tells the real-life story of Rickey Hill, who overcame a debilitating condition to pursue his dream of playing major-league baseball.

By Frank Scheck

Frank Scheck

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Not that his father would purchase it for him anyway, since he believes that Rickey is too physically fragile to play baseball and should instead follow in his footsteps as a pastor. Not to mention that he has no use for such ungodly pursuits; when he catches Rickey and his older brother in possession of some baseball cards, he angrily seizes them, telling his children that the cards “sell the worship of false idols.”

If that makes the film sound painfully melodramatic, it’s not. Screenwriters Angelo Pizzo and the late Scott Marshall Smith inject plenty of warmth and humor into the tale, never letting the characters overly succumb to stereotypes. It’s not surprising that the writers know exactly how to (forgive the pun) cover all the bases, since Pizzo wrote such sports films classic as Hoosiers and Rudy and Smith the 2014 inspirational football drama When the Game Stands Tall .

Nonetheless, it’s a heartwarming tale of perseverance. Rickey overcomes all obstacles, including an ankle fracture that results in his doctor telling him he’s never going to play again (the doc has obviously never seen movies such as this one) and then surgery that barely leaves him with enough time to recover for a major league tryout supervised by legendary scout Red Murff (Scott Glenn, who’s only gotten more terrifically flinty with age, here reuniting with Quaid 40 years after The Right Stuff ). Of course, his family can’t afford the operation, so the whole town pitches in (sorry, another baseball pun) to raise the necessary funds. And in a scene guaranteed to drain tear ducts, Rickey’s plucky grandmother (screen veteran Bonnie Bedelia) assures him on her deathbed that “I’ll be watching” when he plays.

The Hill proves hard to resist in its warm portrait of the sort of small-town America filled with people rooting for each other (with the exception of the drunken redneck who insists on smoking in church and whom Pastor Mike manages to subdue in a fight despite being considerably older). The film would have benefited from director Jeff Celentano perhaps picking up the pace a little, and the deletion of some extraneous subplots. But the climactic sequence, in which Rickey bats through the pain while encountering the toughest pitchers he’s ever faced, provides the perfect stirring conclusion.

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