August 24, 2023
FILM: THE HILL
DIRECTED BY: JEFF CELENTANO
STARRING: DENNIS QUAID, COLIN FORD, JOELLE CARTER
RATING: 3 stars out of 4
By Dan Pal
This is (surprise!) an inspirational baseball story. I could leave it at that and you’d probably guess the tone and narrative arc of The Hill. The conventions of the genre are here and the film doesn’t break any new ground. Suffice to say, it is enjoyable and emotional nonetheless.
The film is based on the true story of Rickey Hill, a Texas boy who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. The twist here is that Hill walks with leg braces due to a crippling spinal disease. He is still determined to play though as his hitting arm is stellar and he refuses to give up the dream. The other major issue is his father, played by Dennis Quaid, a local pastor who believes in serving the Lord. Baseball has no place in his son’s (or anyone’s) life.
There are a couple of ways to look at what is being set up here. The film is indeed one part faith-based. With dad committed to the word of the Bible, faith is his only way to hope for a better life for Rickey. Dad believes in signs that provide clues to God’s intentions, such as a sudden rain storm or car breakdown. If Rickey was able to walk without braces on his legs, it could only be viewed as a miracle. Rickey’s struggle is analogous to the David and Goliath story which is referenced to within the film. Clearly, Rickey is David and his dream and physical challenges represent the mighty Goliath. So, one could certainly argue for this reading of the film as it checks off all of the right faith-based boxes.
Another perspective though is that Rickey creates his own destiny through sure strength, hope, and determination. Yes, he’s a believer but he doesn’t limit this to a supernatural force making things happen to him or not. The braces may be the church itself which is keeping him from making progress with his life. He knows he must fight against his limitations, his father, bullies, and doctors who don’t believe he will ever walk, much less play baseball. Rickey has a sense of his own reality but he also has faith in his own abilities. He perseveres through the rough patches in his life and pushes his limits. It’s these varying perspectives that make the film work depending on one’s belief system. Dad might say he’s being “tested” by God but Rickey is in fact tested by a major baseball scout late in the film who wants Rickey to prove himself on the field.
That said, the film is pretty predictable right from the start. We know where the film is going and it generally doesn’t disturb the traditional order found in these types of stories. This is a very old-fashioned film featuring mostly stereotypical characters, including a woefully underdeveloped and docile mother played by Joelle Carter as well as a tough old grandmother played by the looks-too-young Bonnie Bedelia.
Dennis Quaid hits the expected beats associated with the pastor role he plays. However, he does have a particularly good scene late in the film where he discusses his own misgivings to his small congregation about how he might have mistreated Rickey’s dream.
Colin Ford, who has appeared in dozens of films and television series, is quite good as adult Rickey. He’s got the right look and moves of a baseball player and infuses them with the physical limitations of his character. It’s a very convincing and effective performance.
In the end, this isn’t a film that will win any awards for its originality but it is enjoyable and inspiring enough to move even some of the most hardened viewers of predictable storytelling.
The Hill opens today in theaters.
FILM: THE HILL
DIRECTED BY: JEFF CELENTANO
STARRING: DENNIS QUAID, COLIN FORD, JOELLE CARTER
RATING: 3 stars out of 4
By Dan Pal
This is (surprise!) an inspirational baseball story. I could leave it at that and you’d probably guess the tone and narrative arc of The Hill. The conventions of the genre are here and the film doesn’t break any new ground. Suffice to say, it is enjoyable and emotional nonetheless.
The film is based on the true story of Rickey Hill, a Texas boy who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. The twist here is that Hill walks with leg braces due to a crippling spinal disease. He is still determined to play though as his hitting arm is stellar and he refuses to give up the dream. The other major issue is his father, played by Dennis Quaid, a local pastor who believes in serving the Lord. Baseball has no place in his son’s (or anyone’s) life.
There are a couple of ways to look at what is being set up here. The film is indeed one part faith-based. With dad committed to the word of the Bible, faith is his only way to hope for a better life for Rickey. Dad believes in signs that provide clues to God’s intentions, such as a sudden rain storm or car breakdown. If Rickey was able to walk without braces on his legs, it could only be viewed as a miracle. Rickey’s struggle is analogous to the David and Goliath story which is referenced to within the film. Clearly, Rickey is David and his dream and physical challenges represent the mighty Goliath. So, one could certainly argue for this reading of the film as it checks off all of the right faith-based boxes.
Another perspective though is that Rickey creates his own destiny through sure strength, hope, and determination. Yes, he’s a believer but he doesn’t limit this to a supernatural force making things happen to him or not. The braces may be the church itself which is keeping him from making progress with his life. He knows he must fight against his limitations, his father, bullies, and doctors who don’t believe he will ever walk, much less play baseball. Rickey has a sense of his own reality but he also has faith in his own abilities. He perseveres through the rough patches in his life and pushes his limits. It’s these varying perspectives that make the film work depending on one’s belief system. Dad might say he’s being “tested” by God but Rickey is in fact tested by a major baseball scout late in the film who wants Rickey to prove himself on the field.
That said, the film is pretty predictable right from the start. We know where the film is going and it generally doesn’t disturb the traditional order found in these types of stories. This is a very old-fashioned film featuring mostly stereotypical characters, including a woefully underdeveloped and docile mother played by Joelle Carter as well as a tough old grandmother played by the looks-too-young Bonnie Bedelia.
Dennis Quaid hits the expected beats associated with the pastor role he plays. However, he does have a particularly good scene late in the film where he discusses his own misgivings to his small congregation about how he might have mistreated Rickey’s dream.
Colin Ford, who has appeared in dozens of films and television series, is quite good as adult Rickey. He’s got the right look and moves of a baseball player and infuses them with the physical limitations of his character. It’s a very convincing and effective performance.
In the end, this isn’t a film that will win any awards for its originality but it is enjoyable and inspiring enough to move even some of the most hardened viewers of predictable storytelling.
The Hill opens today in theaters.