El camino de Hill

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.

There are so many cute moments in this movie. I had mistakenly chalked it up to "just a faith-based film" before watching it, since the trailer made it seem like it was one of those true stories of a young kid keeping his faith strong despite massive hardships. When I watched it, however, I was seriously impressed. Yes, the main family is a religious one, and the patriarch Dennis Quaid is a pastor, but it's not really a religious movie. The religious community will love it, but so will anyone else who watches it. From the interesting story to the compelling characters, strong acting, and thoughtful direction, it's a very good movie.

The story revolves around a boy who wears braces on his legs but dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. His father, Dennis, would prefer he stop dreaming and embrace reality, but Jesse Barry (and later Colin Ford) just can't stop practicing, despite his handicap. Although Jesse and Colin give strong performances, Dennis absolutely steals the show. He doesn't play his character as a one-dimensional "disapproving father" or a one-dimensional "pastor who ignores his family". There's nothing one-dimensional about him, and you feel that you know him even when the script hasn't fleshed out his backstory. When Dennis finds out his son can walk without his braces, he cries with joy. His children scrimp and save their pennies to buy him a celebratory hamburger, and he turns what could have been a ridiculously corny moment into seriously fine acting. Later, when Dennis can't afford Colin's medical treatment, a collection basket gets passed around the church. He stands at the pulpit with a forced smile on his face as he watches his neighbors give him money. He's humiliated, ashamed, grateful, humbled, and terribly sorry that his son has to endure such suffering.

If you're in the mood for a more wholesome movie than what Hollywood usually produces these days, you don't have many choices. You've probably turned into the type of person who says, "I'm not a movie person," if others ask what you've watched lately. As a film critic, I can't believe I've given that response. Just as with the demise of the Hays Code in the late 1950s, there has been a distinct shift in the type of film being made over the past several years. I enjoy watching good quality movies with an inspiring and wholesome message, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Hill.

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.

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.

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.