I will admit that you can write what I know about baseball on the back of a postage stamp. My knowledge of the sport comes from Field of Dreams and the baseball episode in one of the early seasons of The Simpsons. Still, I love a good sports drama and I had heard a great deal of positive things about The Hill. Plus, it had Dennis Quaid in it who I think for decades has been one of the most underrated and underappreciated actors around.
How to Download The Hill
The Hill was released on August 25, 2023 You should be able to watch (download or stream) the film from a digital platform around two months later. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
One of the best compliments that I can give The Hill is that I never actually knew this was a Christian faith movie until after I had seen it. I have seen some Christian faith movies that are really heavy-handed with their “message” however, that was not the case here. This was a movie that first and foremost wanted to tell a good and motivating story.
Key Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Title | The Hill |
| Release Date | August 25, 2023 |
| Download and Streaming | Available for download/streaming about two months after its release |
| Genre | Sports Drama |
| Plot | The Hill tells the story of Ricky Hill, a baseball player with a spinal disease, as he pursues his dream of becoming a pro player. |
| Main Characters | Ricky Hill (Colin Ford), Pastor Hill (Dennis Quaid) |
| Setting | The movie is set in the 70s and captures an authentic 70s-era vibe. |
| Tone | A well-done sports drama with heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. |
| Notable Actors | Dennis Quaid, Colin Ford |
| Recognition | A hidden gem of the year recommended even for non-baseball fans. |
What It Is All About
The story being told is that of baseball player, Ricky Hill. Ricky Hill grows up in Texas and he loves playing baseball, but he has a spinal disease that in theory should be holding him back. I should have probably told you by now that The Hill is actually based on a true story, granted, how close to the real thing it is, I do not know, but it is a well-told and uplifting (and also heartbreaking) story.
Ricky’s Aspiration
The story is about how Ricky wants to try and become a pro baseball player. Ricky has a ton of heart and the actor playing him, Colin Ford is amazing and I am sure he is going to get some major roles due to his performance here. I have only seen him in a couple of things, but this was the first time I saw him as a lead actor and he nailed it!
Father
Ricky’s father, Pastor Hill is played by Dennis Quaid who brings his usual top-tier level of intensity to the role. Paster Hill is very strict and he is worried about his son and does not want him to get hurt. The two of them have a very interesting and well-developed relationship and it is easily the highlight of the movie.
Chasing Dreams
Word gets around about Ricky and the story is basically about him chasing his dream and all of the good and the bad that comes along with it. I think that The Hill does a great job of being a movie that is about people chasing their dreams and never holding back. Yet, it also is a story about heartbreak and dealing with pressure from family.
Authentic Setting
The setting of the movie is great and I am not sure what the budget was, but it feels very authentic with its 70s-era vibes. The movie is shot very well and I think that even the actors in the smaller role do a good job here. Knowing that it is a Christian faith style of movie, I have to say it is one of the most impressive looking and shot movies like this that I have seen.
A Well-Done Sports Drama
Even if you know nothing about baseball, The Hill is still a very well-done sports drama. It has likable main characters and it is impossible not to want to see Ricky live out his dream! However, you also care about him a great deal too as the movie does a wonderful job of making you love Ricky. I highly recommend that you give this one a try, it is one of my hidden gems of the year!
