User reviews

Usually Christian drama flicks like this get extremely bogged down with heavy-handed prioritisation of their messaging over their stories, technical craft, and characters.

While The Hill does sometimes get preachy and sometimes is held back by corny dialogue or poor supporting actors, it excels because it gives thought and care to the important elements of filmmaking.

It's gorgeously shot on film and sensitively directed, always visually emphasising its characters' psychology to great effect. And the script avoids succumbing too much to sports drama cliches by always keeping the focus on personal triumph over merely winning the game. It's a human story in the shell of a Christian sports film.

And these humans are brought wonderfully to life by these actors. Aside from a handful of poor supporting cast members, the leads really kill it-even the child actors.

Dennis Quaid is the obvious standout, bringing so much life and emotion to his character that isn't necessarily on the page. His character's arc is the soul of this movie, and if there were any justice in the industry, Quaid would be in serious consideration for awards next year.

Long live baseball, and long live Dennis Quaid.

This movie will take you back in time and pull at your heartstrings the whole time. I thought this movie was so well acted and directed. Love movies that are based on real life events. It makes it much more relatable. I also saw Gran Tarismo which ironically had similar themes, young men chasing dreams that are seemingly impossible and without the needed support of their fathers. While Gran Turismo was a fantastic action movie and a lot of fun to watch, it lacked the spiritual element of The Hill. And dreams die eventually, and what are we left with? The character of Ricky Hill to me was the driving force and the lovable part of this film. The way he respects and wants to honor his dad and their beliefs is so touching and rare. That's what I loved about this film.

Based on a true story, it seemed cloyingly maudlin. Whereas a story like Rudy plays out naturally, elements of this seem theatrically pushed into repetitive stark stereotypical juxtapositions. It was longer than it needed to be, and even my wife said the same thing though she enjoyed it more.

The acting, however, is what makes this so compelling. The man playing Rickey Hill as an adult is a man we should expect to see much more. Dennis Quaid seemingly turns every scene -and movie-into powerful performances. One reviewer said the background actors were poor but I sure didn't think so. Everyone turned in great, believable, deep performances, which is why I did not rate it lower.

Settings for the scenes are well done. Look for real major league pitcher John Smoltz as the final game announcer.

Summary: many people will like it for its spirit of facing trials and tribulations, and can be expected to rate it higher, but it just seems overly heavy handed and long attempting to manipulate emotions.

The trailer showed us a corny Christian themed baseball movies and that's what we got. The story is uplifting, and the movie proves we can have family friendly films. I definitely thought they could have cut it down by 20 minutes, but I still enjoyed it.

I don't think you have to be a Christian to like the movie since they don't demand any beliefs from the audience. It is probably aimed at that crowd though. If you love baseball, ever had to overcome something, or can just feel inspired by Rickey's story then this film is for you.

It's great for the entire family.

It's definitely a very white film. I say this as a white person. I don't think the black characters were portrayed in a bad light, but they were only there to support the white characters. All two of them with lines. This is based on a true story in Texas from the 60's and 70's though, so it might have been this way.

It was also good to see them capture the time and family well, without putting full on child abuse on the screen. We were told enough.

I thought I would like it since it has Dennis Quaid. I actually loved the movie. It's so refreshing to see a realistic movie with good actors and no CG. I thought the story line was interesting and I didn't even realize the movie was over two hours! I'm not usually in for a long movie but this one kept my interest. I just really like Dennis Quaid is this type of role. He was excellent and all the actors were great in their roles. If a movie is going to have a sport in the background I prefer it to be baseball because that's the only sport I like at all. I just loved the character "'Red" and whoever played him was so entertaining. Im 55 and that's how I remember old men acting and comporting themselves when I was a child in the 70s. I enjoyed that the historical setting was quite accurate. I saw some things that were off a little but overall it was excellent.

The Netflix pre-trailer portrays a very different story than the one you are given. It certainly is not the traditional sports film. That is not to say all of the movie is bad, there are in fact some scenes that are high quality and will move your heart. The issue is that there is too much filler that doesn't quite develop the characters enough. Some of the scenes between the child and his father just don't quite deliver the impact needed , the scenes are too raw and I'm not sure whether it was the acting or the script but I definitely needed more. I believe it would have made the story more powerful if more attention was given to digging deeper into the boys relationship with his father outside of just the fact that his dad wanted him to be a clergyman instead of a baseball player . There was a point for me where I just wanted more meaningful heartfelt dialogue between them which would have made the ending so much more rewarding in my opinion. It could have better established the father in particulars growth as a character.

Still ithe movie was a worthwhile watch . Had the potential to be spectacular , but lacked in too many ways making it just ok.

We watched The Hill this weekend and we were amazed by how emotionally engaging it was. The older gentleman next to us was crying at different moments during the film. It was really impactful. The ending was strong and satisfying.

We would recommend The Hill to all our friends. The details in the costumes, locations and decor were all well done. It was a beautiful period film with an enormous heart.

We hope that audiences will come out to see this wonderful story of a young man, his dreams of baseball and his preacher father who didn't understand.

We believe that word of mouth will spread and The Hill will be a big hit. You can tell that the filmmakers put a lot of love into this movie. All you can ask is that audiences sit back and take it in. Well done!

Prepare for a preachy dose of diabetic coma, but the movie is quite watchable. I think it was unintentional, but it also tells the story of his hypocrite father. Dad had no qualms in following his calling to the detriment of his family but did all he could to deny that opportunity to his son. It's always enjoyable to see the story of someone I never knew existed, and this guy was in that category. The movie could have done with a little more salt and less sugar, as it lands right in the genre of a "Hallmark Christmas movie". But if Rickey Hill had as much input as I've read, then I guess that's what he wanted.

I knew this story from a few years ago in a podcast, so I was really looking forward to the film.

WHAT were they thinking in casting??? Dennis Quaid (almost 70) playing an under 35 dad ? James Hill died at 50! It was laughable and I found this casting insulting to the story. And then there's grandma who looks younger than Dad (James Hill) right up until her last screen time. Make up crew got it together . But Her make up ending at her chin was awful. The actress should have never taken this job as it did her no favours as her lines were mostly awful and unbelievable. Tough to deliver bad writing.

The young Ricky Hill character was spot on!!!! Loved him and his delivery. Great job and had you rooting for him right away! The older version did a good job as well but the actresses (young and old) who played Ricky's girlfriend both stole the show and were the single biggest highlight throughout. Lots of talent there!

Over all it was bad writing , a joke for casting the father and grandmother which is real shame because this story deserved better. Much much better.

This is an inspirational true story movie. It's very well acted. I highly recommend it. Since it's PG you can take your children with you without worrying about R-rated graphic scenes. What a relief.

The audience was applauding at the end, with good reason.

Rickey's father is shown transitioning from a good father to a great father. The father wants what's best for Rickey but makes mistakes. The father is willing to acknowledge his mistakes both to himself and publicly. It's a faith-based movie. G-d rescues the family and gives them a house and a job as a pastor for the father.

We have a home run here!

Rickey Hill was born with bad legs and a bad back. Nevertheless, he has a God-given skill to hit the baseball. On the other hand, his strict pastor father (Dennis Quaid) refuses to let him play and is obsessed with him following his preaching footsteps. His dream rests in the hands of legendary scout Red Murff (Scott Glenn).

This is a biographical sports movie and Christian movie. It is a basic underdog story. I would like his father's thinking to be clearer. It could be that he wants him to preach, but it also could be his lack of faith in his abilities. It's just weirdly unknowable like a story written from the son's point of view. Dennis Quaid is operating at one gear. Scott Glenn is shocking old, but it's still great to see him. None of the younger actors are that memorable. This is fine but nothing great.

I've played sports all my life, and I can't think of one semi-realistic scenario in this entire movie.

The conflict with the father isn't believable. I've been around plenty of people who hate sports, but any intelligent person would recognize not only a physical gift but the grit and determination that comes with the discipline it takes to be successful at a high level of competition.

I've had dozens of coaches in multiple sports -- some that went on to the pros -- and regardless of how tough they are, I've never seen a coach go out of his way to prove one of his athletes wrong -- especially one who is practically made of determination. On the contrary, he wouldn't be a very good coach or scout if that's how he approached the game and the players.

I understand it is just a movie and that the conflict is exaggerated to create a more meaningful emotional response, but for me, the hyperbolic depiction ruins the movie because the entire time I'm watching it, I'm saying to myself, "That would never happen..."

"The Hill" has its heart in the right place, that's for sure. It's a sincere movie. It tells its story in a nice way. The cast is, for the most part, likeable. The performances, for the most part, are well done. The standouts are Dennis Quaid and Jesse Berry. There one weak link, however. The normally dependable Bonnie Bedelia. Bedelia is 75 years old. She is by any definition an old lady. In "The Hill" plays an old lady like an "old lady". For the longest time I though they cast a young actress to play the part. After an hour or so I checked IMDB and discovered it was actually Bedelia in the movie.

The Hill hits home (no pun intended) if you grew up in a smaller town. Growing up in the bible belt, I understand that strict, moral parental values are hard to let go of when children want to walk a different path in life.

Rickey Hill and his Father rarely see eye to eye - the conflict of baseball, faith, and their relationship can't seem to coexist. Rickey see's his skills at bat as a gift while his father sees it as a surefire way that he will be crippled forever. It's tough love verses stubbornness on his father's behalf as Rickey time and time again proves that he can fulfill his dream.

It's a rarity these days that we see such a gritty & real father/son relationship on screen and from the first scene, you're rooting for the two to salvage a bond together. Dennis Quaid and Colin Ford have great chemistry and you really believe their father and son dynamic. The child actors playing the younger version of the characters did a great job as well and the time period (late 60s/early 70s) makes for a perfect, All-American setting.

"October Sky" meets "The Natural". A winning baseball movie for the whole family.

Perhaps the dialog does get a bit corny the movie carries a meaningful message that we all need to be reminded. Contrary to what some say was amateur acting, I feel the cast, although restricted somewhat by some corny dialog portrayed the characters well.

In summation, don't take every scene as "factual"........and don't accept the entire story as "fact". Not to spoil the movie for others but if so inclined, do a little research to obtain the actual facts regarding Ricky Hill, his medical condition and his eventual "major league " baseball career. Not quite as the movie portrays.

Since this review forum indicates my review is too short and needs more characters, I will say I enjoyed the seemingly genuine scenes of the ramshackle houses and cars. Being that I am a classic car lover, I found it enjoyable seeing cars in the movie that were far from restored but rather, in a condition that very well could have been expected for a poor area of Texas in the late '50's, early '60's.

If this isn't enough characters, well then, I guess I just wasted my time in typing as much as I have.

Amazing movie!, but one thing like something missed about little girl Gracie who has a green/blue mixed eyes. Now grown up as Gracie who has a brown eyes which is not match as the character is failed.. Its a must leader from little girl to grown up as gracie eyes is blue/green mixed. I just say in my opinon ;) i didnt mean to rude or offend to this film was based on the true story. Dennis Quaid is great actor he was like serious acting in any filmed. I wish he getting an Oscar or even an Emmy! Oh well, this point is Rickey is grown up and struggle in the Major League Baseball for true story. END.

Very slow and melodramatic. Grandpa Dennis playing the dad of a kid is a little much for me.. why can't they find somebody younger to play that role? Fast-forward through most of it wasn't about to waste over two hours of my life on mediocrity. Lottie da Lottie da la da da da la da da da da. La. And so on and so forth and so on and so forth, and until I couldn't stand it anymore, but I hung in there, but kept going back to the fast-forward too much God in this for me sorry and Dennis was way to old for that role. Poor mediocre, poor to mediocre that's all I can say just trying to get enough characters in this, so hopefully they'll approve it but I would not watch this, unless you need prayer .

Great movie! In an age of over the top cgi sequals ad nauseum and 2 dimensional, cliche characters this movie stands out. It actually has heart and hope which is missing for the most part in today's Hollywood. I thought it was an inspiring movie, well done and well acted. Don't let the critics and users who leave 1 star put you off. I think there's an issue among many critics and reviewers that cynically and harshly judge faith based movies because it doesn't align with their worldview. If the movie didnt mention God it would have had a higher critic score which i think says more about those people than the movie. This is a great feel good, inspiring movie that has a great message.

In summary and from the perspective of Rickey, the movie wants to make us believe that it is eventually praiseworthy to disobey your parents, to falsify signatures, to go from wreck to player to wreck to player, to be a celebrity for 4 short years, to have one's spine give out and never play baseball again, to get married in between, commit adultery, to marry again and divorce once again.

And voilà, this makes a Christian worth to be made a movie of, and a model to be followed. Seriously? While this movie pretends to be Christian, it is rather a deconstruction of Christianity. It is a sad display that America is much closer to an apostasy than to a revival.

PROS

+ Great performance of Pastor Hill (Dennis Quaid). He might be overzealous, but he much rather represents biblical values than any other character in the movie.

+ Great example when the boys admit that they smashed the windshield of a neighbor.

CONS

• Although the boys admit that they sinned by falsifying signatures, there is no sign of repentance, but a rebelious kid who challenges his father to be beaten by him all night and not to change. Such a rebellion is a horrible and highly unbiblical example.

• Should we really imply legalism when a pastor rebukes a churchgoer who smokes during the sermon, or a women who spits repeatedly her saliva mixed with a texture of food (chewing tobacco) into a bowl on the floor, right in the front row? We do not know the peculiar intentions why the producers included such details in the movie, but in the end it is senseless to invent a desecration of the sanctury and at the same time use this as means as to paint a legalistic pastor. Any pastor who would not instantly rebuke such actions, should not be a pastor.

• The movie is loaded with foul language, mixed with overly spiritual language.

• The movie displays a solo pastorate which is not biblical. The biblical pattern is always a plurality of elders who are the exact same office and function as pastors. And such people usually work for their bread. While a movie is free to show such transgressions if this happened indeed, it has the obligation to add some corrective remarks, in order that the viewer understands that this situation was caused by human error. But instead we see the situation deviate further and further, and see even family members question THEOS.

• Repeated disrespect towards his father, who in real life would have been rather in the SPIRIT, because he understood much better that life is not about celebrity status and a meagre career of 4 years before breaking the back for lifetime.

• Totally unnecesarry divisiveness, by endorsing denominational churches such as First Baptist and Warrengton First United Methodist Church. The Bible condemns such divisions and it is therefore sinful to intentionally include such in a movie, no matter how often this is done and how foreign and legalistic this comment may appear to the reader.

• The director, Jeff Celentano has no religious background.

The Hill wasnt bad. It's the typical underdog sports story, and Rickey Hill's journey is definitely inspiring. The acting was good. Colin Ford did a great job as Rickey, and Dennis Quaid as the overbearing preacher that just refused to realize that he was in the wrong the entire time. (at least until the end, as you'd expect from any inspirational sports movie)

it's a pretty predictable sports movie. You know exactly where it's headed from the start, and some parts drag. It definitely has a lot of heart, but it also leans hard into those "inspirational movie" moments that feel a bit too much.

The faith and family stuff was fine, it didn't feel too preachy, but it's not really my thing. Still, I can see how some people would love that. It's a nice movie if you're in the mood for something uplifting. It's good for a cozy afternoon when you just want to cheer for an underdog.

I really enjoyed "The Hill". It had a believable story line and it was very family friendly. I loved how protective the father, played by Dennis Quaid, was protective of of his young son and showed the attitude of pastors during this time. He was a hard working idealistic pastor who loved people, put his ideals above his family, but showed love, kindness, care, and moral character. The son wore braces on his weak legs, but learned to play ball despite this hindrance. The father's disapproval and concern for his disabled son was hard but believable and the strength of character this son had to exemplify in order to get his father's approval to play baseball was inspirational. All of the characters were well played. That this was a true story and the father had integrity and an active learner in his faith was encouraging. Very edifying.